plumbers putty vs. silicone

[the tR]

use plumbers putty for seal betewwn sink and drain, use teflon tape or liquid pipe dope on all theads, after all is tight gently remove the putty that has oozed out, but be careful not to pull it all out. use a knife to score around drain putty ooze before removing it.................

 

[BadgeBunny]

He's talking about between the lip of the strainer and the sink.

Roll out a bead of putty, circle the strainer basket with it.
Dope your threads.
Tighten, squeezing out excess putty.
Remove excess putty.

Done.

This. Do NOT be cheap with it either. Get a GOOD bead ...

**Not raised by a plumber but replaced a garbage disposal recently ... AND THANK GAWD for teflon tape ...

 

[HiredHand]

Silicon?

I thought it was Teflon tape? "Low Density PTFE" Definitely Teflon.

The tape is a little interesting at times. Too much and the threads tighten properly (too much stuff between the threads), too little and the joint can leak.

One other thing to watch when using hte tape, is to make sure it doesn't roll or push out of the way when threading the joint together.

Other than with stainless / stainless joints, it's ultimately your preference. SS on SS has a nasty tendency to gall, in which case the teflon is better.

There's a liquid formula of Teflon tape, too.

 

[tyromeo55]

Silicone would be real hard to get un stuck if you ever needed to service the flange. All the drain connections that mate don't need tape ( if they are not glued) they get gaskets or tapered washer rings

 

[Shootum]

Silicone will not hold up over time and under water, putty is the way to go.

 

[n8thegr8]

I made the same mistake when replacing my strainer. Plumber's putty worked like a champ.

 

[Bierhunter]

He's talking about between the lip of the strainer and the sink.

Roll out a bead of putty, circle the strainer basket with it.
Dope your threads.
Tighten, squeezing out excess putty.
Remove excess putty.

Done.

This ^^^

I'm not a plumber. I'm just a homeowner who hangs out on home repair forums frequented by the pros (and learned a lot by trial and error). The internet is great for learning.

I have used silicone as well in the same fashion as above. You have to make sure it's cured and dried thoroughly. It works, but my putty jobs have lasted longer.

Oh...and beer or whiskey. They are essential tools when doing home repairs.

 

[lockoutmonkey]

Pulled it apart and reworked the whole thing last night. Replaced the p-trap. Pulled the basket out(with my wifes help). DO NOT EVER PUT SILICONE ON THE THREADS TO SEAL! That **** does not come off easily. 30 minutes with a stainless steel brush on the bench grinder and 15 more with a razor blade and 95% was removed. Alcohol cleaned it better and the reassembly commenced. Ring of putty and everytthing went very smooth. No leaks as of last night and this a.m.

Thanks for the advice and helpful words. The beer and whiskey was saved for afterwords.

 

[Jefpainthorse]

Putty... and take a gob of it ...roll it between your hand till it forms a rope and set the strainer basket into it. Tighten the basket down and clean the excess up.

Baskets need "bedding" to seal up. Putty is used to stick escutions (trim rings) to the wall also.

(dad's a fitter and the kid's plumbed some too)

 

[EFsDad]

Since the problem is solved this off-topic comment should not hurt...

In Kosovo, the plumbers there used horse hair and never once used the American's Teflon tape. Never had a leak either. FWIW