Totally agree silicone-based sealants are the way to go, especially if you're dealing with any kind of structural movement. Yeah, they're messy and a bit of a hassle to smooth out, but honestly, the extra effort upfront saves you headaches down the line. I've found that standard caulks tend to crack or peel way too quickly, especially after a few tremors or seasonal shifts. Silicone just seems to flex better without losing its seal.
One tip I've learned the hard way: prep is everything. If you don't clean and dry the surfaces thoroughly beforehand, silicone won't bond properly, and you'll end up redoing it sooner than you'd like. Also, invest in a decent smoothing tool—makes a huge difference in getting a clean finish without smearing it everywhere. Learned that after my first attempt looked like a kindergarten art project...
Still, silicone isn't bulletproof. If you're dealing with significant structural shifts, you might want to look into hybrid sealants—they're pricier but can handle even more movement without failing.
Wish I'd seen this thread earlier... recently did my bathroom with regular caulk, and after just one minor quake, cracks everywhere. Guess silicone's next on my list—lesson learned. Are hybrid sealants really worth the extra cost though?
I switched to hybrid sealants a couple years back after silicone kept peeling in my kitchen. Honestly, they've held up great through tremors so far, but the price difference does sting a bit. Wonder if anyone's tried polyurethane sealants for quake-prone areas...
I've used polyurethane sealants a few times in areas prone to shaking—they've got great flexibility and adhesion, definitely outperform silicone in my experience. Just make sure you prep surfaces well...they're sensitive to moisture and dust. Worth trying for sure, especially if hybrids are hurting your wallet.
"Just make sure you prep surfaces well...they're sensitive to moisture and dust."
Definitely agree with this. Learned it the hard way restoring my old Victorian during a retrofit—thought I'd cleaned everything but apparently missed some dust on the brickwork. Polyurethane started peeling after a couple months. Second time around, I was extra thorough and it's been solid since. Great stuff overall, just gotta be meticulous with prep to avoid headaches later.
