Plumber’s Putty: What It Is, How to Use It and When Not to Use It

Material compatibility depends on the product’s complete composition, not only the way the surface looks or how the product is marketed.

Oatey plumber’s putty products are compatible with products confirmed to be made from pure, 100% acrylic. This does not include acrylic blends containing other chemical inputs.

Oatey plumber’s putty products are not designed for use with ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The interaction between plumber’s putty and ABS can degrade the ABS and potentially lead to product failure.

Do not use Oatey plumber’s putty on:

• ABS drain components or fixtures
• Acrylic blends containing ABS or other chemical inputs
• ABS-core acrylic bathtubs or shower bases
• Acrylic-capped ABS bathtubs or shower bases
• Other multilayer acrylic products containing ABS

A bathtub or shower base may be described simply as “acrylic” even when its construction includes ABS or another material. Review the product specifications or contact the fixture manufacturer to confirm that it is made from pure, 100% acrylic before using plumber’s putty. Use 100% silicone sealant when the product contains ABS.

Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty

Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty is an oil-free, nonstaining formula intended for compatible porous surfaces, including:

• Granite
• Marble
• Quartz
• Sandstone
• Corian®
• Other natural porous surfaces

Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty remains pliable, is easy to mold and cleans up easily. Its stain-free formulation does not override the material restrictions described above. Do not use it on ABS or an acrylic blend containing other chemical inputs.

• Regular or stain-free Oatey plumber’s putty
• A clean cloth or rag
• A plastic putty knife
• A scraper or wire brush for removing old material, if needed
• The fixture manufacturer’s installation instructions

Before beginning, confirm that the plumber’s putty is compatible with every surface it will contact.

1. Confirm material compatibility and choose the right putty

Identify the material of the plumbing component and every surface the putty will contact. For an acrylic product, confirm that it is pure, 100% acrylic. Do not use Oatey plumber’s putty on ABS, acrylic blends or multilayer bathtub or shower-base constructions containing ABS. Once compatibility is confirmed, determine whether regular or stain-free plumber’s putty is appropriate.

2. Clean and dry the surfaces

Make sure all contacted surfaces are dry and free from old or hardened putty, dirt, wax, oil and grease. Remove debris with a cloth, scraper or wire brush as appropriate for the surface, and dry the area completely.

3. Knead and roll the putty

Remove enough putty to form a continuous ring around the fixture flange. Knead the putty in your hands until it is soft and pliable, then roll it into a long, cord-like rope approximately 1/2 inch thick.

4. Apply the rope beneath the flange

Place the putty rope around the underside of the fixture flange. Form a complete circle and blend the two ends where they meet. If the rope is too short, remove it and roll a longer piece rather than stretching the putty too thin.

5. Press and install the fixture

Install the compatible bath waste fitting, shower drain, pop-up drain, basket strainer or other fixture according to the manufacturer’s instructions. As the fixture is secured, excess putty should squeeze out from beneath the flange, indicating that sufficient putty has been applied and a continuous seal has been made. Do not overtighten the fixture; the goal is a snug, secure fit, not crushed putty.

6. Wipe away excess putty

After the fixture is secured, remove the excess putty from around the flange with a plastic putty knife or clean cloth. Clean, debris-free excess putty may be returned to the container.

7. Recheck the fixture in cold conditions

When plumber’s putty is used in colder conditions, wait 10 minutes after the initial installation and confirm that the fixture does not need an additional turn to remain properly secured.

8. Test for leaks and store the remaining putty

Because plumber’s putty does not require cure time, the sink, faucet, tub or shower can be tested immediately after installation. Run water and inspect for leaks. If a leak is present, remove the fixture, clean the surfaces and apply fresh plumber’s putty before reinstalling it. Reapply fresh putty whenever a fixture is disassembled or adjusted. Seal the putty container completely so the remaining product is not exposed to air.

Assuming every acrylic product is the same

A bathtub or shower base may be described as acrylic even when it contains an ABS core, ABS backing or another chemical input. Use Oatey plumber’s putty only when the product is confirmed to be pure, 100% acrylic.

Using plumber’s putty on ABS

Oatey plumber’s putty products are not designed for ABS. This restriction applies to the drain component and to any bathtub, shower base or fixture containing ABS.

Assuming Stain-Free Putty is compatible with every material

Stain-free putty is formulated to prevent staining on compatible porous surfaces. It is not an ABS-compatible alternative.

Using regular putty on porous surfaces

The oils in regular plumber’s putty may stain granite, marble, quartz, sandstone and other porous materials. Use Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty when the surface and application are otherwise compatible.

Applying putty to a dirty or wet surface

Old putty, dirt, wax, oil, grease or moisture can interfere with the installation. Clean and dry every contacted surface before applying fresh putty.

Leaving a gap in the putty rope

The putty must form a complete ring beneath the flange. Gaps or thin areas can create an incomplete seal.

Using too little putty

The rope should be thick enough that excess material squeezes out as the fixture is secured. If no excess appears, the putty may not have filled the space beneath the flange.

Overtightening the fixture

Overtightening can force too much putty out from beneath the fixture. Tighten the fixture until it is snug and secure according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Reusing dried or contaminated putty

Only return excess putty to the container when it is clean and debris-free. Once putty has dried out, nothing should be added to regenerate it because doing so can affect product quality.

Using plumber’s putty as caulk or thread sealant

Plumber’s putty is not intended for pipe threads, pressurized connections, toilet bases, windows, doors or other applications that require adhesion, insulation or a cured exterior seal.

Plumber’s putty is useful in compatible fixture-setting applications, but it is not the right product for every surface or connection.

On ABS or ABS-containing products

Do not use Oatey plumber’s putty on ABS, on acrylic blends or on any bathtub or shower base containing ABS. Use 100% silicone sealant for ABS-containing applications.

On pressurized connections

Plumber’s putty is not intended for pipe threads or connections exposed to water pressure. Use an approved thread sealant or thread seal tape.

On porous surfaces with regular putty

Regular oil-based plumber’s putty may stain granite, marble, quartz, sandstone and other porous materials. Use Oatey Stain-Free Plumber’s Putty when the surface is otherwise compatible.

Beneath a toilet base

Plumber’s putty is not designed to support the weight distribution associated with a toilet base. Cleaners and urine may compromise exposed putty, and plumber’s putty does not provide the adhesion of caulk. It may also dry when exposed to air or stain finished flooring.

Around windows or doors

Plumber’s putty does not have the adhesion or insulating properties required to seal windows and doors. Use a caulk or sealant designed for the specific application.

Use Oatey Silicone Sealant when plumber’s putty is incompatible with the material or when the fixture manufacturer specifies an adhesive sealant.

Use 100% silicone sealant instead of Oatey plumber’s putty when:

• The component is made from ABS
• A bathtub or shower base contains ABS
• The product is an acrylic blend rather than pure, 100% acrylic
• The fixture manufacturer specifies silicone
• The joint requires adhesion
• The application is not approved for plumber’s putty

Oatey Silicone Sealant is safe for use on plastic, including ABS, and is intended for compatible tubs, showers, sinks and plumbing fixtures.

Plumber’s putty and silicone can both help prevent leaks, but they work differently and are not interchangeable in every application.

Choose plumber’s putty when the application and every contacted material are compatible and a soft, removable fixture-setting compound is appropriate. Choose 100% silicone when the application contains ABS or the fixture manufacturer requires an adhesive sealant.

For more help comparing sealing products, see How to Choose the Right Caulk or Sealant for Your Next Plumbing Project.

When removing or replacing a fixture, gently scrape away the old plumber’s putty with a plastic putty knife or wipe it away with a clean rag.

If residue remains, use a soft cloth and a mild cleaner approved for the contacted surface. Avoid tools or cleaners that could scratch or damage the fixture finish. Clean and dry the area completely before applying fresh plumber’s putty.

• Return only clean, debris-free excess putty to the container.
• Make sure the container lid is completely sealed.
• Keep the putty clean and limit its exposure to air.

Oatey Plumber’s Putty has a shelf life of two years from the date of manufacture when the lid is sealed properly.

If plumber’s putty is exposed to air for an extended period, it can dry out, harden and become brittle. Dried plumber’s putty cannot be regenerated without affecting the quality of the product.