Plumber's putty is a sealing staple for professionals, homeowners and DIYers alike. This easy-to-use product will prevent the migration of water between two rigid surfaces, keeping your fixtures leak-free.
While plumber's putty is better than caulk in some situations, it's not a universal caulk alternative. Do not use plumber's putty where you need adhesive strength (to bond materials or prevent them from moving) or where you need a watertight seal in exposed areas.
While plumbers putty is more traditional, silicone caulk is a great modern alternative. Either is acceptable for fixing a drain.
Assemble and Place the New Faucet
Apply a bead of plumber's putty or silicone caulk around the bottom of the faucet or the faucet holes on top of the sink, if called for in your instructions.
The key difference between the two is the material compound. Plumber's putty is soft sealing material and that means it won't harden over time, making it easy to disassemble or remove after several years. Silicone on the other hand, dries up and hardens over time, making it difficult to remove or work with again.
Silicone caulk is basically the same thing as plumbers putty, but it's designed to be used in a much wider variety of applications. This type of caulking is typically clear and flexible, meaning that you can easily see through it to check whether it's properly sealed.
100% silicone caulk is recommend. There are many conditions where plumbers putty could cause product failure and finished product staining, please refer to category #4 FAQs for these applications.
It takes a few hours for plumber's putty to set. You can use a drain or tap immediately after installing the putty, although waiting a few hours may yield the best results. The putty will expand so might create a tighter seal.
You can start using the sink drain or faucet immediately after installing plumbers putty. There is no drying time because it doesn't dry. It just seals the gaps and the sink, drain, or faucet which can be used immediately after application of the plumbers putty.
After applying the plumber's putty, you may use the sink drain or faucet right away. Because it does not dry, there is no drying period. It simply closes the gaps and the sink, drain, or faucet, which may be used immediately after the plumber's putty is applied.
Epoxy putty: Epoxy putty is a two-part compound that can be mixed together to form a strong adhesive. It's ideal for sealing leaks in pipes and can be used on both metal and plastic pipes. Epoxy putty is also resistant to chemicals and can be used on surfaces that come into contact with water.
Thread seal tape and pipe dope are both effective pipe sealants. However, many people prefer using thread seal tape since it is cleaner to work with than traditional grease or paste-like sealants. Plumber's putty is used to form a water tight seal between the sink and the faucet and between the sink and the drain.
However, plumbers putty goes on the outside of plumbing pipes in order to temporarily stop a leak, while epoxy pipe lining is used to permanently stop leaks and restore the integrity of the plumbing pipe.
Even when you're sure a project calls for plumber's putty, there are instances where it shouldn't be used. Putty should remain malleable throughout its life. To use it, plumbers roll the putty between our fingers to shape it. If you begin rolling the putty and it flakes or cracks, toss it out.
Caulk is a plastic-based substance that hardens as it dries, while plumbers putty consists of a rubber-like substance that will not harden when it dries. This makes caulk ideal for sealing larger gaps in pipes or walls, while a plumber's putty can be used to fill smaller holes and cracks.
In addition, Plumbers Grease is also great for preventing leaks while you wait for a repair, as it provides a tight seal that prevents water from seeping through. It's thick, food-grade, waterproof, and can last a while depending on the severity of the leak.
No, it may cause corrosion of the rubber gasket. The gasket is meant to be the only means of sealing the connection. Make sure the connection is tightened enough to seat into the rubber causing it to seal. Plumbers putty is cheap but it will dry out and crack quicker than rubber gaskets.
Plumber's putty will always remain as soft and damp as when you first took it out of the container—just as long as it stays out of extremely high temperatures. In especially cold or humid conditions, you may need to wait 10 minutes before using a plumbing fixture to allow the seal to form.