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The plumber’s putty is vital for making waterproof seals under the sinks, on the base of the faucets, and in the bathroom drains.
Plumber’s putty is an essential component of plumbing that people often buy for emergency maintenance.
If you’re not quite a craftsman, then you might need a little bit of explanation about what’s going on here.
Plumber’s putty is a soft clay-like sealing substance that is commonly applied to the faucets and drains to avoid leakages. It helps plumbers create a watertight seal when applied under the flange to stop the water from seeping through.
Have you had a problem with plumber’s putty getting hard?
We’ll dig deeper into this and sort this thing out for you.
Does Plumber’s Putty Harden?
If you’re wondering about the hardening of plumber’s putty, then let me tell you right off the bat- plumber’s putty can harden over time.
When you open the container of plumbers putty that you bought a while back, over time it begins to feel hard and not moldable.
Eventually it will begin to crack and peel away. That’s when it’s time to remove the putty and replace it.
There are ways to soften plumber’s putty if it’s gotten hard.
How Long Does Plumber’s Putty Take To Dry?
The plumber’s putty doesn’t dry after applying it on faucets or sinks even after a while. It essentially remains soft for months, but it would dry out at some point.
We need to understand that the plumber’s putty becomes harder over time and it won’t remain as soft as it was in the beginning. Eventually, it’s less likely to stick to the surface.
If you’re figuring out how long you should wait before you start using your faucets, sinks, or drains, then wait at least an hour before you turn on the water.
Furthermore, there are mixed opinions on how long you should wait after you apply plumber’s putty – some believe that five minutes is the minimum wait time, while others think ten minutes is enough, and some experts say to wait 20 minutes or longer.
On the safe side, try waiting an hour or two before you start using your sink or faucet. Perhaps, the longer you wait after the application, the better the sealant works.
How Thick Should Plumber’s Putty Be?
There is no exact amount of plumber’s putty to be used as a sealant. However, plumbers and housekeeping professionals often use about 1/2 inch thick of putty. While some experts think you should use somewhere between 1/4 inch to 1/8 inch.
If you’re not sure how to use the plumber’s putty, then take a quarter size piece from the container and roll it between your hands until it softens. Don’t shy away from kneading the putty to make it pliable. After it’s malleable, you’re ready to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
It does remain soft for quite some time. If you need a reversible sealant, plumbers putty is the way to go. Furthermore, it surely takes some time to dry out when applied as a sealant. That being said, the putty would ultimately harden over time.
Even though plumbers putty is a watertight sealant that stops the water from trickling down, it, however, can crack if there is a leakage in the waterproof seal. The possibilities of cracks in the plumber’s putty seal include but are not limited to the low-quality sealant. Always remember that plumber’s putty rarely cracks unless it’s used under the water as it’s not made for underwater use.
Silicone is a semi-transparent solution or synthetic rubber used for filling up the sealing gaps or cracks, whereas plumbers putty is a soft clay-like sealing compound that is used to cover the base of taps and drains to avoid water from seeping through.
Both plumber’s putty and silicone are essential products for fixing plumbing issues. However, the key difference is that plumber’s putty is soft and flexible which makes it easy to remove and it doesn’t work underwater, whereas silicone doesn’t come off that easily and it hardens for making a watertight seal.
Check out our in-depth comparison: Plumber’s putty vs silicone for sealing
It’s not the ideal substance for filling nail holes. You may have learned that plumber’s putty is a clay-like substance used in plumbing. It does remain pliable for quite some time. Therefore, a standard nail filler is likely the best solution for filling those nail holes.
The Final Words
Plumber’s putty is an essential component of plumbing maintenance. However, the average consumer doesn’t know a whole lot about these products. Therefore, we decided to put some light on a burning question about plumber’s putty hardening.
The gist of the article is that plumber’s putty is a pliable substance and remains soft for days before it gets harder. It’s a common belief in the plumbing industry that you should wait an hour or two once you apply the putty before you turn on the water.
Additionally, one of the perks of using it is that it’s reversible, meaning you can take it off if something goes wrong.
If you haven’t had a chance to use plumber’s putty, then let us guide you in a couple of lines. Plumbers and construction experts take a chunk of the putty, roll it with their hands, and apply it on the sink, faucets, taps, etc.
Have you ever come across a situation where your plumber’s putty got harder?
Let us know your experience in the comments section.
