Can You Use Plumbers Putty To Stop A Leak?

Can You Use Plumbers Putty To Stop A Leak?

Did you know that even small leaks around the home can up the cost of your water bill by as much as 10%! That’s a cost that most of us could do without. If you want to avoid calling out a plumber, you might arm yourself with some plumbers putty and work on sealing those leaks yourself. But can you use plumbers putty to stop a leak?

Plumbers putty may sometimes be used to stop a leak but it isn’t always the best solution. There may be other times that tape or caulk are better options. The main purpose of this product is to create a seal between a tap and the kitchen worktop. 

It’s worth keeping in mind that plumbers putty is designed to work best on worktops made from formica owing to its oil content. If you’re working with natural materials like granite and marble then this is definitely not the best option as the putty may leave behind stains. In this case, we would recommend opting for a water-based sealant as an alternative. 

Can You Use Plumbers Putty On PVC?

There are certain materials that are not compatible with plumbers putty and PVC is one of them. You will see warnings everywhere not to combine the two as PVC couplings and fittings require hand tightening and PVC cement in order to create an adequate bond. 

There are some instances in which you could use plumbers putty on PVC. For example, when connecting a PVC fitting to a PVC shower drain then plumbers putty would create a seal while still allowing you to remove the fitting down the line in the event that repair work needs to be carried out. 

PVC will not react negatively to the linseed oil found in plumbers putty but this product may not create the best seal. Tape is usually prefered in this instance. 

Can You Use Plumbers Putty On Plastic?

If you have a leak on a plastic drain then you might think that plumbers putty is the ideal solution but this is a common mistake. You should not use plumbers putty on plastic drains or threaded pipes. 

Plastic components are normally finished with a chrome plating and this may react badly to the putty. The putty may affect the quality of the chrome plating so we would always suggest opting for Teflon tape, fibreglass resin or epoxy for this type of work. 

Can You Use Plumbers Putty On A Rubber Gasket?

When installing certain things such as tub wastes, pop ups and taps, you will usually get a rubber gasket with these to create a seal. Modern products are very reliable and so you often don’t need to add plumbers putty as well but it’s a common question and one that is important to know the answer to. 

Most manufacturers will warn against using plumbers putty on a rubber gasket as plumbers putty can dry out much more quickly and will begin to crack. However, a lot of plumbers will use silicone either with or instead of a rubber gasket which produces some of the most effective results. 

Can You Use Plumbers Putty As A Clay Bar?

A clay bar is a product that is designed to move scratches, contamination and imperfections on the paintwork of a car. They’re very effective but if you can’t get your hands on one then you might be scratching your head and wondering if there is a viable alternative. 

There has been a lot of discussion online about the use of plumbers putty in place of a clay bar and some people have claimed to have gotten favourable results. But these are few and far between. Plumber’s putty has a very oily quality and using it in the same way as a clay bar is sure to leave a residue on the paintwork. 

These two products are designed for entirely different things and should not be used interchangeably.

Can You Use Plumbers Putty On An Acrylic Tub?

When purchasing an acrylic tub, you will notice that there comes a warning from the manufacturer with the unit that tells you not to use plumbers putty. This is something that you should always adhere to as this type of sealant can and will damage your new bathtub. 

Modern acrylics are used for a variety of fixtures in the plumbing trade and since this is a type of plastic, it is not compatible with plumbers putty. If you go ahead and use the two together then you could be confronted with a whole host of problems. 

At the very best, the acrylic would become stained by the plumbers putty which will ruin the entire aesthetic of your bathroom which is not something that anybody wants when performing home improvements. At worst, the plumber’s putty could cause the drain to distort or break so it is imperative that you only ever use a latex or silicone sealer when installing anything made from acrylic.

Related Article: How Much Does It Cost To Replumb A House?

Conclusion

Plumbers putty is an essential tool for plumbers all over the world and it certainly has its place. However, that is not to say that this is a product that can be used across the board and there are times that it is best to use another material for sealing such as tape, latex, silicone or epoxy, among other things. 

Plumbers putty can be used to stop a leak but it very much depends on what material you will be working on. The main purpose of this product is to create a seal where the tap meets the kitchen countertop.