Plumber's Putty

Plumber's putty is an adhesive that is used for sealing in various plumbing jobs. It is extremely convenient to use for a variety of purposes, and can be used even by a layman. Most often, one would use it to seal the space between pipes and countertops, or to seal leaks. It is a watertight material which makes it an excellent choice as an adhesive for these purposes. Apart from the aforementioned use, there are many other uses of plumber's putty.

Uses

Because it is a sealing adhesive, plumber's putty finds its use in numerous plumbing jobs. It is however, extremely soft, and therefore should not be used in areas where high water pressure occurs. It is still watertight, but because it is so soft, it can be easily removed before it dries. Plumber's putty has a clay base, and consists of linseed oil. Some may consist of fish oils, talc, and limestone. Take a look at some of its uses.

• The prime use of plumber's putty is to seal a pipe to a kitchen countertop. However, because of its oil content it may cause the development of stains on granite countertops, and is better suited for countertops with formica.
• It can also be used to attach kitchen sinks to countertops. Apply the putty on the base of the sink, and place it in the space created to fit the sink. Use pressure to apply the sink and hold it in place till it adheres. Allow it to dry before you use the sink.
• Just like sinks, even shower drains are fixed into sinks and bathtubs with the use of plumber's putty. They are to be fixed in the same manner as you would fix the sink.
• Another use is to seal a toilet to the floor. Applying the putty to the base of the toilet and a little to the floor will allow for good adherence. However, do not apply the putty all around the toilet base, so that if there is any kind of water leakage, you will be aware of it.
• Pipes that do not receive heavy water pressure may be connected with plumber's putty. It should be used on the inside of a pipe where the two pipes connect, and allowed to dry for a bit. The excess will ooze out and can be cleaned away easily.

A lot of people are concerned about the use of plumber's putty vs. silicone. Users suggest that the former is always a better option when compared to the latter. Particularly, this holds true, if you want to replace a pipe or anything that you sealed with it. On the other hand, because plumber's putty stains marble and granite surfaces, you may opt for 100% silicone that will hold the object in place considerably well.

The drying time of this adhesive is relatively long, but helpful because in any case if you wish to reverse a plumbing job you may have done wrong, the putty makes it possible. A lot of people also confuse plumber's putty with Teflon tape. In effect, Teflon tape is used to seal pipes from the outside, and is a good option for pipes that receive heavy pressure. Because plumber's putty takes time to dry, it is not a good choice for pipes that receive heavy pressure. These pipes may not hold for very long if sealed with it.

As mentioned earlier, plumber's putty is a great choice for all those who undertake do-it-yourself plumbing and home owners, as it is very easy to use. If you are still concerned, speak to the people in the hardware store you purchase it from, to find out whether it will be suitable for the purpose you want to use it for. They should be able to answer your queries and give you a fair idea of whether or not it will be useful.