Got a leaky sink that's driving you mad? Before you reach for the phone to call a plumber, try plumber's putty. This simple, clay-like substance sits in most plumbers' toolboxes for good reason - it works brilliantly for creating watertight seals without the permanence of other options. Let's walk through what you need to know.
Think of plumber's putty as the Play-Doh of the plumbing world. It's soft, pliable, and designed to create watertight seals while still allowing you to take things apart later when needed.
Old-school plumber's putty mixes clay and linseed oil. Newer versions might throw in limestone or fish oil too. Unlike silicone sealants, it won't fully harden, which is actually its secret weapon - you can dismantle things later without breaking fixtures.
You'll mostly use plumber's putty when fitting sink strainers, drain flanges, and faucet bases. It shines anywhere you want to keep water from sneaking through gaps. Pop it under your kitchen sink's rim, and say goodbye to water damage in the cabinet below.
Plumber's putty isn't your answer for everything. Skip it on plastic (it can cause warping), any connection under serious water pressure, or porous stones like granite or marble where the oils might leave nasty stains. For deeper drainage issues, you might need the right solution for drainage problems beyond what putty can fix.
Grab these before you start:
We recommend having everything within arm's reach as it makes the job much easier.
We'll break this down into manageable chunks for you.
Scrape off any old sealant or gunk. Wipe everything down until it's clean and completely dry. Missed bits of old sealant or soap scum can wreck your new seal before it's even had a chance.
Scoop out roughly a golf ball-sized blob for most jobs. Better to have too much than too little - you can always chuck the excess back in the tub.
Work the putty between your palms until it warms up and feels soft. Then roll it into a sausage shape about the thickness of a pencil or your little finger.
Wrap your putty rope around the underside rim of whatever you're installing - the drain flange, faucet base, or whatever. Make it a complete circle, with the ends just touching each other.
Push the fixture into place according to the instructions. Don't worry about being gentle - the pressure is what squeezes the putty into all the nooks and crannies to create that watertight seal.
Once your fixture is tightened down, you'll spot putty squeezing out around the edges. Wipe it away with your finger or a putty knife. This excess can go straight back in the tub if it's clean.
Give it an hour or so before running water through. Though putty doesn't need to "cure" like other sealants, this gives everything time to settle in properly.
Now we'll look at a couple of specific uses.
Got a slow drip around a drain edge? Clean everything thoroughly, dry it completely, then apply a fresh rope of putty around the problematic area. Tighten things back up and you should be sorted. Just remember this works for connection-based leaks, not for cracked pipes or serious issues.
Here's our professional advice - don't. Plumber's putty isn't meant for threaded connections. For those, you want Teflon tape or pipe dope. Putty won't handle the pressure and will likely fail quickly.
Watch out for these blunders:
Many of these same principles apply when you’re figuring out how to fix common plumbing problems around your home.
It helps to know your options. Silicone creates a stronger, permanent seal but good luck removing it cleanly later. Teflon tape works wonders on threaded connections but does nothing for flat surfaces. Pipe dope is brilliant for gas lines but messy for everyday fixtures.
Plumber's putty hits the sweet spot when you need something reliable that won't turn component removal into a demolition job later.
Plumber's putty might seem old-fashioned, but it's stuck around because it simply works. It's forgiving if you make mistakes, doesn't set like concrete, and creates reliable seals that keep water where it belongs.
Don't expect perfection on your first try - like anything, working with putty takes a bit of practice. And remember, for serious plumbing nightmares, sometimes calling in the professionals is money well spent. After all, a small repair job costs far less than dealing with water damage throughout your home.
