Plumbers putty use
- Thread starter jzbeaver
- Start date
SewerRatz
Illinois Licensed Plumber
Plumbers putty is for setting fixtures such as sink drains, water closets, and so on. I would use some "pipe dope" which is a Teflon based paste.
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Gary Swart
In the Trades
Just to clarify terms. Plumbers' Putty is a clay like product which is used to seal under sink drains and the like. There is a Plumbers' Pipe Dope which is a thick, gooey product that is used to seal threaded joints. Note the different names. Putty vs Dope. Some plumbers use both Teflon tape and dope, others just use one or the other alone.
To SewerRatz & Gary Swart--
Thanks for your replies. I should have explained by issue better. I do know
the difference between plumbers' putty and dope, and was planning to use
dope on the threaded metal pipe sections. What I wanted to know was
whether there was any reason not to use putty on the PVC ends, which are
not threaded, and will go into the rubber couplings at either end of the trap.
Thanks in advance for any further advice.
Thanks for your replies. I should have explained by issue better. I do know
the difference between plumbers' putty and dope, and was planning to use
dope on the threaded metal pipe sections. What I wanted to know was
whether there was any reason not to use putty on the PVC ends, which are
not threaded, and will go into the rubber couplings at either end of the trap.
Thanks in advance for any further advice.
Yes, it will prevent the rubber coupling from sealing with the pipe.
When you add clay, it really only dirties the joint.
Joints should be made with clean pipe.
The only place I use putty, is for a sink basket or for a sink drain popup drain where it drops down from the bowl, and on the threads just below that on the underside.
If you have a coupling with a rubber seal, let the rubber do it's job.
If you are reading on the net about plumbers putty to wash your teeth, find pipes below ground and locating Santa at the North Pole, Don't believe it.
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You got to trust me on Santa one.
Redwood
Master Plumber
Putty is only used on tubular connections by people that don't know any better and are too dumb to ask!
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WV Hillbilly
New Member
At least you've got to give them credit for doing a neat job putting that putty on . lol
99k
Radon Contractor and Water Treatment
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Redwood
Master Plumber
Not really! It was found on the net posted in a blog by someone that just could not understand why the condo association was demanding that he call a licensed plumber to fix a kitchen sink drain that was leaking into the unit below when he could do such a fine job of fixing it himself.
I suspect that the fix was short lived and they once again asked him to call a licensed plumber...
Net photos of pig slop are not eligible for the contest!
hj
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putty
In the 50's and 60's, before wax rings, it was used to set the toilets. The oil in plumber's putty will deteriorate the rubber gaskets, AND the plastic drain pipes. DO NOT use it, or anything else on the joints. If it did anything other than damage them, it would be to make them slipprier and thus more prone to fall apart.
In the 50's and 60's, before wax rings, it was used to set the toilets. The oil in plumber's putty will deteriorate the rubber gaskets, AND the plastic drain pipes. DO NOT use it, or anything else on the joints. If it did anything other than damage them, it would be to make them slipprier and thus more prone to fall apart.
I can remember learning -- I'm not sure where, probably from my dad or grandfather -- to make a worm of plumbers putty and stick it to the bottom of a toilet where it will rest on the floor to help make it conform to an uneven floor to prevent rocking.
To date my personal experience with trying this has been that it works only temporarily and that if the forces are there the putty will wind up being displaced and the toilet will rock in the end. I am now a shim convert.
To date my personal experience with trying this has been that it works only temporarily and that if the forces are there the putty will wind up being displaced and the toilet will rock in the end. I am now a shim convert.
