Securing escutcheons

[maddfrog]

I recently had a plumber install a pedestal sink (along with a Kohler Memoirs toilet, which had its own issues)

The escutcheons on the supply lines don't fit snugly to the wall or the pipe. If I push them against the wall, they just slide back over time (we live near a train, so there's a lot of vibration). How can I secure them to the wall? I was thinking about a ring of plumber's putty on the wall behind them. Any other ideas?

[Dunbar Plumbing]

Plumber's putty will work. I always use those plastic chrome scussions with a cut on one side. That way I can install them and remove them whether the valve is off or on the pipe.

They don't corrode up like the metal ones either.

[prashster]

Or you can caulk.

[maddfrog]

I thought someone might know of an "old plumber's trick" other than putty or caulk.

I'd rather use the putty because it will be completely covered by the escutcheon whereas the caulk will show. It'll also allow me to move the escutcheon for painting, etc.

I was thinking I'd make a thick rope of it and press it on the wall around the pipe, leaving an opening at the bottom in case any moisture got in there. The escutcheons are of the shallow variety, so the rope of putty would stick to the back of the escutcheon and stick it to the wall with nothing showng on the outside.

As far as the plastic ones go, I considered them, but I think the metal look far better, especially on a pedestal sink where they're out in the open. I find that the corrosion cleans up pretty easily with a plastic dish scrubber.

[Verdeboy]

One "trick" might be to wrap a little tape over the pipe that the eccutcheons fit over, thus increasing the outer diameter of the pipe. Then push the escutcheons over this "fatter" section of pipe. This works for bifold pins that are too small for the hole, so maybe it will work for 'scutcheons.
Eric

[maddfrog]

I'll give the tape trick a try - may be all it needs...