How Long To Wait After Using Plumbers Putty

When information technology comes to plumbing – and all the inevitable issues that come up with faucets and drains – Plumber's Putty is an important tool to accept around. I honey it because information technology's cheap, easy to find (tin be found at any home improvement store), long-lasting, and super effective when you know how to utilize it.

In this weblog, you lot'll learn how and when to utilize plumber'due south putty – and when not to utilise information technology. Plus I'll share my thoughts on how long you need to await to let plumber's putty dry out before you tin use your sink safely without worrying about leaks.

Tools:

Plumber'south Putty

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Rather lookout man instead of read? Check out this 6-minute video beneath! 👇

Showtime, What's Plumber'due south Putty?

Plumber'due south putty is a "play-doh" like cloth that's water-resistant, soft, and flexible. This makes it a perfect tool when you lot need to make a water-tight seal. Different caulk, it's non super sticky, which makes information technology easier to apply and remove.

Plumber's Putty – The Purpose and Practical Usage Options:

It can be used every bit a water-tight seal on drains, tubs, kitchen sinks, and other sink fixtures.
I also like to use information technology underneath the lip of a kitchen sink if I'm installing it into a hole and laminate countertop.

When Non To Utilise Plumber'south Putty:

Information technology's not ideal for porous surfaces like granite or marble, or other dimensional stones. It can stain and exit a yellowish-ish mark. Not ideal!

Plumber's putty too doesn't work as a substitute for Teflon tape or silicone caulk. While information technology tin handle water, information technology can't tolerate intense pressure. And then it's not good for some pipes or joints.

What'southward the Drying Time for Plumber's Putty?

A question I hear often is: when will plumber'due south putty dry and how long exercise I accept to wait to use my sink? Well, information technology'southward non going to dry out – at to the lowest degree not any time in the next decade or so!

In other words, at that place is no dry fourth dimension. Then in my opinion, every bit shortly as you install your plumber's putty and have a expert seal – you're good to go. Feel free to let me know if you think differently in the comments below!

How to Utilise Plumber'south Putty – Installing a Bleed into a Vanity Top:

Here's a quick demo of how I used plumber's putty when installing a drain into a vanity top.

i. Clean surfaces & take off the flange

Plumber'due south putty will sit between the bleed flange and the surface on your vanity meridian. And then make sure everything is clean before you utilize the putty.

2. Be certain your putty is room temperature or warm

_{Putty subsequently it's rolled into a "ophidian"}

With your room temperature putty, you'll desire to pull off a overnice clamper and roll it out into a "snake." Does it intermission apart or start to scissure when you roll information technology? That likely means it's too old and you need a new jar.

iii. Apply the putty to the flange

_{Application of the putty to the flange}

Utilize a generous bead of putty to the flange. Then, put the excess putty back in your container. From in that location, you lot'll press the putty onto the vanity elevation. Squish it around the flange – but don't press too hard.

Note: I know some people don't like the thought of putting used putty back into the container, but since the surface is clean – I'g ok with re-using information technology to save a piffling money and waste product.

iv. Go under your vanity

_{This is what the putty volition await similar as it pushes effectually the flange}

From under the vanity – accept the top threaded part of the bleed tailpiece, making sure the jamb nut is fully backed out. Beginning to rotate the tailpiece into the flange. Once it's threaded in, that's where you lot'll start to tighten the jamb nut which will compress the rubber gasket into the bottom of the vanity while besides pulling down the bleed flange.

Every bit you continue to tighten the nut – the putty will continue to push out around the flange. Exist sure to install the p-trap, the pivot rod, and the drain stopper, and then the last office of the drain install is to finish tightening the jamb nut resulting in a complete seal of plumbers putty all around the drain flange.

5. Peel off extra putty

With everything in place and the final tightening done, now you'll remove the extra putty.

More Plumber's Putty Tips

When you're buying putty at the store, check to make sure the jar isn't super hard or that the hat doesn't have any cracks. It could exist a sign that it's already stale out.

If you are like me and keep a tub of plumber'due south putty in your truck at all times remember to sit the tub by a heater vent or on elevation of a radiator to warm upwardly the putty prior to use. This is especially important during our Illinois winters.

The Wrap Up

As you can tell, plumber's putty is a super useful tool that'south easily attainable and simple to apply. However, it's of import to use it equally it's intended and non substitute it for caulks, tapes, or other stronger seals that are designed to withstand more than pressure.