| Plumber’s putty may seem like an easy fix for leaky drains and pipes, but this sealant can actually damage plastic plumbing and cause major issues down the road. Here’s what you need to know before using putty on plastic materials. |
Traditional oil-based plumber’s putty works well for sealing porous materials like stone or stainless steel drain components. However, you should avoid using it on plastic plumbing materials altogether. Substances in the putty react negatively with plastics like acrylic or ABS over time.
This gradually causes structural degradation, cracking, and product failures down the road. Instead of putty, plastic drain pipes and fittings must be joined using proper solvent cement or rubber gaskets designed for the specific type of plastic.
Following manufacturer recommendations for adhesive products engineered for the plastic components you’re installing will prevent leaks or damage. Ultimately, preserving the integrity of plastic materials means never applying plumber’s putty on them.
What Is Plumber’s Putty?
Plumber’s putty is a very popular sealant used by plumbers and DIYers for various sealing applications. It has a clay-like consistency and is made from chalk and linseed oil. When a plumber’s putty is rolled into a rope and pressed into gaps, it forms a watertight seal that stops leaks.
This versatile putty can adhere to wet or dry surfaces, which is useful when working on pipes that contain water. It also won’t shrink or crack when it dries. These attributes make it an ideal temporary sealant for many materials plumbers work with, like metal pipes and porcelain fixtures.
Can You Use Plumber’s Putty on Plastic?
While plumber’s putty works great on nonporous materials like metal and ceramic, you should never use plumber’s putty on plastic materials, especially PVC. Here’s why:
Plumber’s putty contains oils that can degrade plastic. The main ingredient in traditional plumber’s putty is linseed oil, which is derived from petroleum. Plastics like PVC, CPVC, and ABS are sensitive to petroleum products which can negatively react with the material. This reaction causes the plastic to weaken and crack over time.
The plumber’s putty doesn’t properly adhere to plastic. For any sealant to work effectively, it needs to create a solid bond with the surrounding material it’s sealing. The oily composition of traditional plumber’s putty prevents it from properly bonding with smooth plastic surfaces. So it’s likely to become dislodged.
You’ll damage the plastic when removing putty. The clay-like texture of a plumber’s putty makes it extremely difficult to remove completely once dried. Attempting to scrape off excess putty from plastic can risk scratching, distorting, and weakening the material.
For these reasons, you should never use plumber’s putty on pipes, fittings, valves, or connectors made of PVC, CPVC, ABS, and other plastic materials. The putty simply isn’t compatible with plastic components.
Why Can’t You Use Plumber’s Putty on Plastic?
Using plumber’s putty on plastic can cause the following problems:
- Chemical Damage: Oil-based putty can react with and degrade plastic over time, causing cracks and leaks.
- Poor Seal: Putty doesn’t bond effectively to smooth plastics, increasing the risk of drips and leaks.
- Permanent Bond: Dried putty is extremely difficult to remove from plastic without causing damage.
Trying to use plumber’s putty on plastic fixtures and pipes can result in permanent damage, potentially disfiguring costly components. For plastic plumbing projects, it’s wise to err on the side of caution and completely refrain from using plumber’s putty. When seeking reliable plumbing service in Rockford, prioritizing methods suitable for plastic materials is crucial to avoid any potential harm or damage to your fixtures.
Can You Use Plumber’s Putty on PVC?
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a popular plastic used for various plumbing components like pipes, elbows, tees, and valve bodies. So should you ever use plumber’s putty on PVC fittings? The short answer is no. Here’s why:
Oil Degradation – Just like other plastics, the petroleum oil in traditional plumber’s putty can cause chemical damage to PVC over time. This leads to cracks and leaks.
Poor Adhesion – The putty will not seal smooth PVC surfaces effectively. It can easily become dislodged leaving gaps for leaks.
Permanent Staining – Removal is extremely difficult after drying without damaging PVC. Attempts often leave behind permanent stains or scratches.
You should avoid using plumber’s putty on any PVC plastic, including schedule 40 PVC drainage pipes. The putty is not an appropriate choice for creating watertight seals on PVC components.
Never Use Plumber’s Putty on PVC
Plumber’s putty should never be used on PVC piping, drain fittings, or any components made from this plastic material. Why? Because traditional plumber’s putty contains oils that will actually degrade, distort, and cause leaks in PVC plastic over time.
Attempting to apply it to PVC can also permanently stain the materials. When working on PVC plumbing projects, be sure to use the proper adhesive primers and cement designed specifically for bonding PVC materials.
Avoid silicone, rubber gaskets, plumber’s tape, or putty, as these are incompatible sealants. For the best result that won’t cause leaks or damage, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when installing PVC plumbing. Using the wrong products voids warranties.
In summary, when seeking reliable plumbers in Rockford, it’s essential to avoid using plumber’s putty on any plastic materials, such as PVC pipes and fittings. This putty is specifically intended for use on nonporous metal, ceramic, and stone materials, not on plastics. Selecting the right sealing products for your plumbing project in Rockford is crucial for creating joints that ensure no leaks or premature failures.