Myths About How Long Does Plumbers Putty Take To Dry?
Do you want to seal that leaking drain pipe? Ugh, the water dripping sound can be irritating, especially in situations like these. What do you do then? Simple, get a plumber’s putty.
What you need is a plumber’s putty. Well, this could be a solution to many more problems. If you want to know how long does plumbers putty take to dry, then do read this post until the end to know it all.
What is Plumber’s Putty?
In simple words, plumber’s putty is a sealant used for plumbing purposes. It is used extensively for treating as well as for installing valves, sinks, and drain pipes.
It is very easy to use and you don’t need to be a professional to use it.
Moreover, it is a basic component that can be found in a plumber’s kit.
Isn’t that interesting? You can get them in varieties of composition to suit the application.
For example, you can get in epoxy, clay, fish oil, linseed, RTV silicone, and caulk forms.
This makes the job of a plumber effortless, for sealing leaking drain pipes, valves and more.
What is Plumber’s Putty Used For?
This putty can be used for different kinds of jobs. The most important one is that rendered by plumbers. Hence, you can think of:
- It is used to seal sink fixtures
- Use it along with faucets
- Utilized for leaked sanitary pipes and drainage
- Can be applied on sink side strainers
- Smear it on pop-up drain fittings, like the ones used in bathtubs and sinks
- Now, have ever thought of utilizing this plumber’s putty for sealing fuel tanks
- They can also aid fixing boats
- Yes, can be employed in water tanks (especially the portable ones)
- Can be put on ceramic, composite, fiberglass, plastic, and even PVC
How Long Does Plumbers Putty Take To Dry?
This is by far the most important segment of our discussion and we didn’t want to digress. We just integrated anything that we felt was vital to this part of our conversation. Okay, straight down to your question, without wasting any more time.
To be honest, do you know how long does plumbers putty take to dry? It takes 10 to 15 years and we are dead serious!
This means if you want to dry it out, it will take like forever. However, this is not the case, and this is why people start using it right away. This means you can utilize the putty immediately as you prepare it. Nonetheless, we would suggest you follow these few steps to ensure it dries out completely:
- If applied at the base of a faucet or something, then you can wait for a couple of hours before running it
- This is to give it some time initially to start drying
- You can keep an eye for a few hours on the plumber’s putty
- If it looks like moist, then give it some more time to dry out
- You may even re-apply some more putty in the meantime if you feel like it
- If it is cured, it will hold the leak at once
Remember, once you undo a plumber’s putty box, you must use it within a month, or as per the manufacturer’s directions.
Otherwise, it will dry up and you may not be able to use it again.
How To Apply Plumber’s Putty?
The first thing that you need is to procure a plumber’s putty from a home supplies store or get it online. You may get a lot of options in the name of plumber’s putty while ordering online.
You can choose one according to your requirements, like the WM Harvey 043010 Putty, which is very popular among homeowners.
In case, you doubt, your handyman skills, then you can adhere to these actions to apply your putty:
- Open the container of the plumber’s putty
- Now, warm it in your hands by making a ball out of it
- Roll it out in the form of a snake and keep it aside
- Clean the area you want to spread over
- You may dismantle parts if required
- Then place the snake-like putty around the surface of the leak
- Replace all parts and let it dry
- If possible, clean the extra plumber’s putty that may be bulging out, as this will look neat
When Should We Not Use Plumber’s Putty?
Now that you know so much about plumber’s putty and how long does plumbers putty take to dry, you may be thinking of where you should not use it. Here is a solution.
The answer is pretty straightforward, any place that needs adhesive. That is right, you cannot use a sealant in a place that needs gum, isn’t it an uncomplicated thought? Adhesives can bond pieces together, whereas, sealants cure the spaces in surfaces.
Also, you must refrain from using plumber’s putty in spots that need watertight sealing too. The reason being it will not hold, like Loctite Clear Silicone. Simple!