How long does a plumber’s putty take to dry

Have you ever had a pipe burst out of nowhere and not had the time to hire a plumber to fix it? Whether or not you’ve used it, you’ve considered using a plumber’s putty to fill the crack and help seal it off.

Since water leaks are now the most common type of plumbing repair, a plumber’s putty is one of the essential items in their toolkit. The product ensures a watertight seal when used in the installation of sinks, drainpipes, and valves. 

Additionally, the putty’s exceptionally flexible and durable texture makes it incredibly simple for plumber’s or DIY enthusiasts to use.

In this blog post, you’ll learn when and how to use putty and how long it takes to dry.

Before we go ahead, let us look at what a plumber’s putty is.

Also Read: Why Unused Bathroom Smells Like Sewer After Use

What is a plumber’s putty?

Plumber’s putty is a “play-doh”-like water-resistant, pliable, and soft substance. It is, therefore, the ideal instrument for creating a watertight seal. It’s less sticky than caulk, making it simpler to apply and remove.

How Long Does a Plumber Putty Take to Dry?

Many people make one error by turning on their water taps before the plumbers’ putty has dried. They eventually end up ruining it completely. Before deciding whether to use it, you must know how long the plumber’s putty takes to dry. 

Plumbers’ putty takes a very long time to dry after application. It’s important to be patient! You’ll make a massive mess if you lose your temper and use the sink or faucet.

Depending on the location where you intend to use it, a number of factors will affect how long it takes to dry. Ordinarily, it would take a few hours or so to dry entirely. But if you discover that the area you put it on requires more putty after the initial layer has dried, you might need to put another layer on top of the first one, which will require extra waiting hours.

Uses of Plumber’s Putty

Plumbers’ putty is usually used in plumbing projects primarily as a sealer. The various applications for plumber’s putty are listed below.

• It can fix any water leaks from sanitary or drainage lines.
• If there is a water leak from the base of the faucets, you may apply it there.
• In addition to strengthening sinks, you may also use it to strengthen other kitchen and bathroom fittings.
• When installing sinks, plumbers apply it.

How to Apply Plumber’s Putty Correctly

A plumber’s putty creates a tight seal in a variety of kitchen and bathroom fittings, including sinks, valves, drainage pipes, etc. Nevertheless, It must first be softened before use, as it is sometimes excessively stiff.

It becomes so flexible once it has been softened that you might not even need to employ a qualified plumber to use it. If you enjoy DIY projects, you may easily use it to seal any water leaks in drainage pipes. The best thing about this top-notch plumbing product is that it’s reasonably priced and always available at your neighborhood hardware store.

Here is a thorough step-by-step tutorial for applying plumber’s putty to any fixture in your house, whether you’re plugging leaks or adding fittings.

Step 1: Cleaning Your Working Surface

Cleaning is unavoidable if you want to avoid doing nothing. Use a clean towel to wipe the area where the plumber’s putty will be applied after dipping it in water and pressing any excess water off.

Ensure the area is clean before using the plumber’s putty on any fixtures in your house. The plumbers’ putty won’t work well if the area you want to apply is not clean. You risk getting an uneven application if it comes into touch with dust and other tiny particles. 

As a result, you won’t have succeeded in your objective, especially if it was to stop a leak, because the water will continue to seep.

Step 2: Soften the Plumber’s Putty

As earlier said, the plumber’s putty needs to become soft and flexible to function properly, and the way to do so is by softening it. Additionally, it is even impossible to use a strong plumbers’ putty.

You have to heat it because of this. The good news is that becoming flexible doesn’t require a lot of heat. You’ll see that your hands’ heat is precisely enough to soften the plumber’s putty. In this situation, you can use a heater to warm your hands. 

Then, take the plumber’s putty and rub it between your hands until it softens.

Step 3: Mold It while it’s still soft

You’ll remember your childhood after completing this phase. Do you remember when you used to play with clay dirt and shape it in various ways? Now, form your plumber’s putty into the shape of a snake using the same methods. 

Make it long and thin, and it should feel silky to the touch. After that, you may cut it into parts that match your preferred working area.

Step 4: Time to Cover the Fixture with Soft and Smooth Plumber’s Putty

Finally, you reach the stage when you need to apply a plumber’s putty to fix the leak in the water supply. Keep in mind that this plumber’s putty must surround the fixture. Make sure you cut it the same size as the fixture’s circumference, whether it’s a drainage pipe or a faucet.

Once finished, you may carefully move the component to its intended location and ensure it fits firmly to prevent further leaks. However, if the fitting is made of plastic, threaded, or metal, you might want to consider using different sealants like cement, PVC primer, or Teflon tape. This is because the seams of such materials cannot be repaired with plumbers’ putty.

Step 5: Tidy Up the Extra Plumber’s Putty

It’s important to use every bit of the plumber’s putty you apply to a fitting, so take your time. Some of it will undoubtedly remain on the surface. The plumbers’ putty will become extremely hard after drying in a few hours. 

Therefore, make sure to remove any extra off your work surface before the plumbers’ putty dries. Wipe the residual stuff off the fitting using a fresh, moist cloth that isn’t the same as the one you used earlier. This prevents you from making a new mess while clearing the previous one.

Step 6: Allowing The Plumber’s Putty to Dry

You wouldn’t want to keep going through this drawn-out procedure over and again. Because of this, you should wait a few hours before deciding if it is safe to use or not. After a period of time, check to see if the plumber’s putty has dried out or not using your fingertips. 

Running water over a wet plumber’s putty would need you to repeat the process since the water will deteriorate and eventually break the putty.

Bottom-line

You can fix any plumbing leaks in your home now that you know how long plumbers’ putty takes to dry out and how to apply it properly. You may save money by completing this DIY job instead of paying a professional plumber. If you’re not cautious, it can leave a lasting stain on your clothing. Avoid applying it on white surfaces because of this.