5 Amazing Plumber’s Putty Uses You Need To Try Today
We all have heard about the plumber’s putty a lot of times. However, if you’re a novice, and don’t have any idea what we’re talking about, plumber’s putty is a kind of adhesive putty that is used as a sealant when it comes to plumbing.
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How Does Plumber's Putty Work ?
The plumber’s putty uses come from the fact that it is a substance used for making watertight seals around sinks and faucets. It is a soft and slow hardening substance that is used for waterproofing.
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The slow setting nature of the plumber’s putty makes it a better option than Teflon tape and silicone when you have to make reversible seals in plumbing.
It is highly recommended to use plumber’s putty when you are replacing fixtures and are repairing any plumbing components to prevent the leaking of water. It is extremely easy to use and can easily be wiped away in case of any mess.
Using a Teflon Tape to Repair the Leaking of Water Plumber
So before you begin using plumber’s putty, it is important to know how the plumber’s putty is created. Even though the exact formula might change depending on the brand of plumber’s putty, the major constituents in it include powdered clay and linseed oil. Some other types might also include fish oil, talc and even limestone.
The use of plumber’s putty reduces the chance of your water pipes from having any leaks in joints.
Plumber’s putty Uses You Need To Know About
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The major use of plumber’s putty is to prevent leakage from plumbing. Since it is soft, it cannot be used in areas of high water pressure. But the soft nature of the plumber’s putty means that you can remove and remodel according to your requirements before it dries.
It is important to apply plumber’s putty on all your plumbing joints and fittings to improve water proofing and to prevent any leakage. People use plumber’s putty to seal the gaps between the pipes and the countertops and to seal any leaks.
It is important to know when to use plumber’s putty. Since the putty is very soft for some duration till it dries, plumber’s putty uses are heavily restricted in places where there is high water pressure. Here are some of the places around your house where you should use plumber’s putty for maximum waterproofing.
Pipes And Plumbing
The waterproofing characteristics of the plumber’s putty make it an important sealant when it comes to sealing your pipes and other plumbing components. It is important to properly seal all the joints in pipes with plumber’s putty to prevent any kind of water leakage. But it is important to make sure that you only use the plumber’s putty on pipes that do not have too much water pressure.
If there is too much water pressure, the putty will be damaged before it can set. You should also be careful while using plumber’s putty as it may contain oils and chemicals that may cause discoloration and damage to some surfaces like marble, granite, plastic and the likes.
When using the plumber’s putty on pipes and plumbing, place the putty on the inside threading of the pipes. Join the two pipes and wipe away the excess putty. This makes the pipes tight and waterproof.
Sinks
When using plumber’s putty on your sink, apply a bit of the plumber’s putty around the sink to make it act as a watertight barrier. But you shouldn’t use plumber’s putty if your counter top is granite or any other porous material. If you seal your sink properly, then it becomes impossible for water to seep through and lead to water damage and mold.
When applying at the sink, you should always apply the soft plumber’s putty on the bottom of the sink and place the sink with all the pressure on the countertop. The clips in the bottom of some of the sinks make sure that only the required amount of pressure is being exerted on the putty.
Check the video below to find out how to do this
Drains
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You can also use plumber’s putty when it comes to sealing your drains of the bathtub or the sink. This prevents the leakage of any water coming through the drain pipes.
When applying the plumber’s putty on the drains, you should apply the plumber’s putty underneath the drain before you install the drain. This creates a watertight bond that prevents any water from leaking.
Toilets
Like any plumbing component, it is important to apply plumber’s putty when installing your toilets to prevent any water leaking. Use plumber’s putty when fixing the toilet on the floor for more strength and waterproofing.
But unlike other cases, when applying the plumber’s putty on your toilet, you should not apply it all the way around the toilet.
If you seal the toilet all around and it develops leaks in the future, the water will get trapped in and begin to rot the floor without showing any signs outside. So by leaving a small gap behind, any leaks in your toilet will serve as a warning to you.
Check the video below to find out how to do this
Leakage
The first step in order to fix the leak in your pipes with the help of plumber’s putty is to find the leak. Once you have found the leak in your pipe, mark the leaking portion and close your main water valve. Once you have located and marked the leak in your pipe, it’s time to mix your putty.
Mix the plumber’s putty properly till it is a soft and clay-like substance and apply it around the leaks in the pipe. Make sure to apply extra putty over the crack and spread it along the pipe or the fitting for maximum waterproofing.
Conclusion
It is important to seal all your plumbing activities to prevent any water leaking and other problems. Although there is a range of other sealing methods available including the likes of Teflon taping and silicone, these are not applicable in all situations.
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The longer drying time of the plumber’s putty means that it is a better adhesive and waterproofing agent in case you wish to make changes to the plumbing. This also makes it impractical when using in pipes that have to withstand large amounts of water pressure. But it is impossible to neglect the plumber’s putty uses.
You should also refrain from using plumber’s putty in contact with granite, marble and other porous materials as the plumber’s putty may cause the surface to stain.
I hope that the readers understood about the application, advantages, and disadvantage of plumber’s putty and had learned about the correct utilization of it. With this knowledge in hand, you do not have to call your plumber when there is a small leak in your plumbing or fittings.
