Putty Or Silicone For Sink Drain

Be sure the the sink is spotlessly clean and smooth before installation.

Putty or silicone for sink drain.

With silicone caulk you must apply an even amount either to the underside of the sink s drain assembly or to the sink immediately around the drain hole opening. Like the plumber s putty some silicone caulk may squeeze out from between the drain body and the sink which you must wipe off before it hardens. Both are excellent ways to fix any plumbing issue. But it would be naive to think one is better.

And it mostly happens when the fittings of a sink toilet shower or bath tub eventually break or wear down. Plumbers putty is the go to solution in plumbing projects but you need to know how to use plumbers putty first. Think of it as more high end play dough. Using either plumber s putty or silicone caulking.

When you install the drain gently firmly and keeping drain plumb vertical and perpendicular to the sink press the drain down to start the putty squish and form a seal then tighten the nut. Make sure the drain is perfectly flush with the bottom surface of the sink before you continue. Installing sink putty or silicone. I usually do a final clean with 91 isopropyl rubbing alcohol.

Plumbers use it because it remains soft for a long time and maintains a watertight seal but unlike silicone and other types of caulk plumber s putty is not an adhesive so a fixture or drain part sealed with putty remains easy to remove if you ever need to replace it. Some plumbers prefer one over the other due to their individual preferences. Plumber s putty is one of the basics tools in a plumber s tool bag. Should you use plumber s putty or silicone sealant.

Set the new drain into place inside the sink basin. Apply firm pressure all around the top of the flange to seat it securely in its bed of putty. As a licence master plumber i use plumbers putty all the time to seal drains in sinks and baths. By home january 14 2017 july 4 2017.

Plumbermandan ia i use both if i use silicone i load it up lightly press it in wipe the excess off the bottom place the gasket and the slip washer tighten the assy let the excess that squeezes out on top stay right where it is let it cure and then using a razor blade cut around the drain and pull off the excess. Plumbers putty vs silicone. Plumbers putty is most often used to put together sinks and seal them to prevent water leaks. In this case fixing the problem is not as hard as it seems.

The putty is mostly used at the base of faucets or other fixtures around the bathroom before setting them onto the sink. But you ll need to pick between two ways of doing the reparation. You can also use it on basket strainers and pop up drains around the house.