Plumber's Putty...what?

[tball]

The new sinks and drains I just installed required Plumber's Putty. I bought a tub of it and followed the directions. The places where I used the stuff all leak. I disassembled the leaking parts and resealed them with kitchen/bath silicon; problem solved. So why do the OEM's say to use Plumber's Putty? Is there something I'm missing? Is there a trick to the stuff?

[wakeboarderdave1]

I'm guessing it has to do something with marketing. Could PP have paid those companies to put their product in the instructions in hopes people would buy it and use it?

[JoeyJojo]

uh, it is kinda like caulk that takes forever to dry, kinda. basically it doesnt set very easy, therefore making reversal much easier.

[timmy]

I've had good luck with it re-plumbing 5 sinks/faucets. Roll the stuff out to make a long cylinder/rope. Put it in place before installing the faucet or drain collar. Make sure to use more than you need so it squishes out around the sides, and voila! Pretty easy really, and super easy to clean up.

[kyle f]

[eeven73]

Plumbers Putty has always worked for me.

Did you soften it by working it around for a while?

I doubt "Plumbers Putty" is recommended due to marketing. The only plumbers putty I have ever seen is store brand generic.

[tball]

[_bruky]

As soon as they leave NorCal's house, they can come over and install your sink:

http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-a-kitchen-sink/index.html



Plumbers putty is ancient. It's used in blow and go tract houses, but it isn't the best.

I didn't use plumber's putty building my house. It's easier to make look nice, but siht doesn't last.

Go get a tube of DAP.

[Nor*Cal]

_bruky, I wish they would pay for the rest of the remodel...

I have plumbers putty but generally use 100% silicone as I trust if for longevity and holding power.

[_bruky]

Rent out the whatchamacallit court and move some revenue

I remember effin' with plumbers putty when I was a little kid helping my dad. I explicitly remember associating "plumbers putty" with excessive cursing. It's been engraved in me ever since.

You can ask a plumber if he'll run Pex in your house. He'll say yes.

You can ask a plumber if he'll run Pex in his own house. He'll laugh and ask you for a consulting fee.

[dbismyname]

[eeven73]

I know Pex is growing in popularity.

IMPO some plumbers bad mouth Pex because it makes them somewhat obsolete.

Maybe long term it will all fail.... time will tell.

[_bruky]

Stuff's cheap. As a matter of fact, it's so cheap you can replace it two or three times before you'll wish you would have sweated copper. Ripping into your sheetrock isn't any fun, though.

Pex forms biofilm. Think of it like cancer, once it hits, it keeps on going baby!

If you have a smaller home in which all of the water frequently runs, you won't develop the rot. My house, like many, is a little big for what I really need. My guest house and a couple of the restrooms are used maybe once or twice a year. Sitting water in Pex WILL rot it. Guaranteed.

Not to mention using copper is a great selling point when your home is 10-15 years old and you decide to upgrade. It cost me an additional $20,000 in labor and material to run copper between 8,000 square feet of structures. I'm sure I'll get that money back in a decade or so when I want a change and sell the place.

[Swass]

"Pex forms biofilm. Think of it like cancer, once it hits, it keeps on going baby! "

Only in non-chlorinated systems:

"Pex pipe is known to occasionally aid in the development of some bacteria-forming biofilms when used with non-chlorinated water systems. This is most possible in areas of infrequent use, where the water is able to sit undisturbed in the pipe for long periods before use. Chlorinated water supplies don't have this problem, but for non-chlorinated supplies, the pipe system should be sterilized once per year."

[bigboarder]

Swass, I've got it in my cottage(usually vacant 7 months of the year) What should I be doing to sterilize it?

[Broccoli B]

bigboarder, are you on a well, or some sort of city water system?

[Broccoli B]

My situation has been nothing but opposite of _bruky, A lot of plumbers around here are switching to PEX in new construction and love the lower cost and added reliablity.

[Swass]

That's because what Bruky said is simply not true.

[Swass]

Not sure, BB. Are you on a well or city water?

[bigboarder]

Swass, a well, so no chlorination,

[dbismyname]

All you have to do is add 2 gals of bleach to the well once a year











I swear to god if you do it I'm not liable

[_bruky]

Swass, I'm on a well.

I should have mentioned my scenario. Now all of the city folk are getting uppity.

Are you a plumber? Tell me what the deal is with rodents and Pex. I was scoping an abandoned tract for a good deal when I noticed all of the homes getting rough-in had chewed-up Pex. Apparently pests have an attraction to the taste of the stuff.

[peterjade]

They are not effective but they are attractive. Anyway, most sealants are usually used in plumbing so they are usually the last thing to apply. They are also more durable than some plumbing putties.

[nmballa]

Used PP to install my kitchen sink recently. No leaks...

[Dragonlady8]

Here's to bringing up old threads
http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=73699&start=0