Why You Should Always Have Plumber’s Putty
If you’ve ever spent any real time browsing your local hardware store, you’ve probably seen something called Plumber’s Putty on the shelves. Or maybe you hired a plumber to do some work and noticed him among their tools and materials: usually a clay or dough based compound combined with some other material (often oil) to give it elasticity that used to create waterproof seals that remain soft and flexible for a long time. It’s actually a very useful thing: it’s cheap, lasts a long time if stored properly, and comes in handy in many scenarios.
Sealing devices
Primarily, plumbing putty is designed to seal plumbing fixtures such as drains or faucets to a surface (countertop or sink). If one day you wake up and find that your kitchen sink drain has started leaking, it’s actually very easy to fix with a $3 tub of plumbing putty and a wrench instead of paying an expensive plumbing bill. Here’s how:
- Remove the drain by unscrewing the nut underneath.
- Thoroughly clean the area
- Take a golf ball-sized plasticine and roll it into a thin roll.
- Apply putty around the perimeter of the drain
- Insert the drain into place, secure and clean off excess putty.
That’s all! Plumbing putty works by forming a barrier that water cannot penetrate. He can’t handle high water pressure, but low pressure things like constant leaks are right there in his car. You can use tap putty to seal water around most plumbing fixtures, such as faucets, kitchen sink and bathroom drains, and shower stall drains.
The big advantage over sealant is that you can easily remove the fixture later. The sealant hardens and sticks, which complicates the process. Plus, you can use a drain or faucet immediately after using plumbing putty—no need to wait for it to set or dry.
Note that often when you buy a new drain or faucet kit, the manufacturer will provide a gasket that eliminates the need for plumbing putty. They usually work fine, but it’s still a good idea to have some putty on hand in case the gasket fails at some point.
Pipe connection
You can use plumbing putty instead of Teflon tape if you are joining two pipes. Just apply putty to the internal threads and then connect the pipes, removing the excess.
Again, this will work well with low pressure fittings, but if your pipes will have high water pressure, you’ll be much better off with Teflon tape. But if you need to make an emergency repair and don’t have duct tape, plumbing putty will probably be enough for a temporary fix until you get to a hardware store or call a professional to fix it.
Sealing the toilet
Your toilet should be glued to the floor – and contrary to popular misinformation, your toilet should be sealed on all sides . Anyone who tells you to leave a gap so you know if there is a water leak is simply wrong.
The toilet should also be sealed with caulk because one of the functions of sealing your toilet to the floor is to reduce any possibility of movement. Because the sealant sticks, it helps stabilize your toilet and also blocks odors and leaks. However, if you are installing a toilet, you can use tap putty to create an initial waterproof seal between the toilet and the floor, and then seal it with sealant. You can also use plumbing putty around the wax ring that secures the toilet to the flange in the floor. This will prevent the wax from sticking to the toilet, making it easier to remove when the time is right. Future You or the next owner of your home will thank you.
Plumber putty has a rather narrow niche of applications, but in this niche it is very useful. A small bath with this substance will come in handy any time you have a plumbing leak in your kitchen or bathroom. Plus, he’s pretty fun to play with.