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How to Apply Plumber's Putty Download Article Co-authored by Dave Jones
Last Updated: March 10, 2025
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Molding the Putty into Shape
|
Applying the Putty
|
Cleaning and Maintaining Putty
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. This article has been viewed 78,541 times.
Plumbers putty is a commonly used supply in plumbing projects. It is probably most often used to put together sinks and seal them to prevent water leaks. By cleaning properly, warming up the putty, and pressing it into place, you can apply putty like a pro!
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Molding the Putty into Shape
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1 Purchase plumbers putty at a home supply or hardware store. Most local or chain stores, like Home Depot, should carry plumbers putty. Different brands use slightly different ingredients. Putty marked as stain-free should be safe to use on any material. Ask someone in the store if you have specific questions about your project.[1]XResearch source
2 Warm the putty in your hands until it is soft and malleable. When first out of the can, putty is usually cold and hard. Take a handful of it and roll it into a ball. Rub it between your palms quickly and firmly. Stop once you’re able to pull and stretch the putty easily.[2]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Stretch putty into a long, skinny shape. Now that your putty is warm, stretch it until it is long enough to cover the area you need to apply it to. If long and skinny putty won’t fit over your surface, mold it into a shape that will.[3]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 2 Part 2 of 3:
Applying the Putty
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1 Clean the surface you’ll put the putty on. Plumbers putty needs to be applied to a clean area. Wash the surface you’ll be applying the putty to with soap and water. If you’re applying the putty to an old fixture, go over it several times until it is free of any dirt.[4]XResearch source
2 Dry the surface with a rag or towel. Plumbers putty will not stick well to a wet area. Make sure the towel or rag you use is clean so you don’t get your surface dirty again while drying it.[5]XResearch source
3 Disassemble parts if necessary. If you're using putty to fix a leak, you will need to take apart some parts to access the area where putty is needed. Usually, putty is used on toilets and drains. For toilets, loosen the bolts at the base and gently remove the bowl from the floor.[6]XResearch source For drains, undo the nuts under the sink and push up on the drain to remove it from the base of the sink.[7]XResearch source
You can often find step-by-step disassembly guides online for different types and models of fixtures.
4 Spread putty around the surface you need it on. In many cases, putty is put on a circular area, like the drain of a sink. Wrap the putty around the circle and make sure you don't leave any gaps. Do not wrap the putty into multiple layers. If you are not applying putty to a circular surface, still use just one layer and leave no gaps.[8]XResearch source
5 Press the putty firmly into place. Use your fingertips to apply pressure and stop when the putty seems secure. It will be tightened into place even further later, but now you’re making sure it will hold its position while you press into a drain fixture or anything else you need it for.[9]XResearch source
6 Set fixture where it belongs and tighten into place. For sink drains, for instance, you will press the drain into the base of the sink and tighten it underneath using a bolt and channel locks.[10]XResearch source For toilet bowls, spread the putty around the base of the toilet, where it will touch the floor. Touch your fixture to make sure it isn’t loose at all.[11]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Cleaning and Maintaining Putty
Download Article
1 Clean away excess putty. When setting a plumbing fixture in place, excess plumbers putty usually seeps out from the sides. Use any rag or towel you’d like to wipe up this excess putty and discard it.[12]XResearch source
2 Wash area with soap and water. Now that you’re done using the putty, you will want to make sure you leave a clean area behind. Scrub your work area with a soapy sponge to make sure there are no residual traces of the putty.[13]XResearch source
3 Disassemble parts and apply new putty if you notice leaks. If you notice water seeping out from under your toilet or your drain, you may need new plumber’s putty. If so, take apart your fixture, remove the existing putty thoroughly, and reapply new putty.[14]XResearch source
If new plumber’s putty does not fix the problem, investigate other sources for the leak, such as broken gaskets or seals.
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Co-authored by: Dave Jones Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. This article has been viewed 78,541 times. 65 votes - 90% Co-authors: 6Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 78,541 Categories: PlumbingArticle SummaryX
Plumber’s putty is a great product for sealing projects and preventing water leaks. Before you use plumber's putty, clean the area with soapy water and dry it with a clean rag. Take out your putty and roll it in your palms to warm it up and make it more malleable. Then, stretch it into a skinny shape until it’s long enough to cover the area you want to seal. Apply the putty in one layer, pressing down firmly, and don’t leave any gaps. If you’re sealing a sink drain, push the drain into its base on top of the putty and tighten the drain. Clean any excess putty off with a rag and throw it away. For more tips, including what to do if your putty leaks, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Dave Jones Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup Co-authors: 6Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 78,54190% of readers found this article helpful. 65 votes - 90% Click a star to add your vote
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Co-authored by: Dave Jones Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup This article was co-authored by Dave Jones. Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. This article has been viewed 78,541 times. 65 votes - 90% Co-authors: 6 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 78,541 Categories: Plumbing Article SummaryX
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1 Purchase plumbers putty at a home supply or hardware store. Most local or chain stores, like Home Depot, should carry plumbers putty. Different brands use slightly different ingredients. Putty marked as stain-free should be safe to use on any material. Ask someone in the store if you have specific questions about your project.[1] 
2 Warm the putty in your hands until it is soft and malleable. When first out of the can, putty is usually cold and hard. Take a handful of it and roll it into a ball. Rub it between your palms quickly and firmly. Stop once you’re able to pull and stretch the putty easily.[2] Advertisement 
3 Stretch putty into a long, skinny shape. Now that your putty is warm, stretch it until it is long enough to cover the area you need to apply it to. If long and skinny putty won’t fit over your surface, mold it into a shape that will.[3] Advertisement 
1 Clean the surface you’ll put the putty on. Plumbers putty needs to be applied to a clean area. Wash the surface you’ll be applying the putty to with soap and water. If you’re applying the putty to an old fixture, go over it several times until it is free of any dirt.[4] 
2 Dry the surface with a rag or towel. Plumbers putty will not stick well to a wet area. Make sure the towel or rag you use is clean so you don’t get your surface dirty again while drying it.[5] 
3 Disassemble parts if necessary. If you're using putty to fix a leak, you will need to take apart some parts to access the area where putty is needed. Usually, putty is used on toilets and drains. For toilets, loosen the bolts at the base and gently remove the bowl from the floor.[6] For drains, undo the nuts under the sink and push up on the drain to remove it from the base of the sink.[7] 
4 Spread putty around the surface you need it on. In many cases, putty is put on a circular area, like the drain of a sink. Wrap the putty around the circle and make sure you don't leave any gaps. Do not wrap the putty into multiple layers. If you are not applying putty to a circular surface, still use just one layer and leave no gaps.[8] 
5 Press the putty firmly into place. Use your fingertips to apply pressure and stop when the putty seems secure. It will be tightened into place even further later, but now you’re making sure it will hold its position while you press into a drain fixture or anything else you need it for.[9] 
6 Set fixture where it belongs and tighten into place. For sink drains, for instance, you will press the drain into the base of the sink and tighten it underneath using a bolt and channel locks.[10] For toilet bowls, spread the putty around the base of the toilet, where it will touch the floor. Touch your fixture to make sure it isn’t loose at all.[11] Advertisement 
1 Clean away excess putty. When setting a plumbing fixture in place, excess plumbers putty usually seeps out from the sides. Use any rag or towel you’d like to wipe up this excess putty and discard it.[12] 
2 Wash area with soap and water. Now that you’re done using the putty, you will want to make sure you leave a clean area behind. Scrub your work area with a soapy sponge to make sure there are no residual traces of the putty.[13] 
3 Disassemble parts and apply new putty if you notice leaks. If you notice water seeping out from under your toilet or your drain, you may need new plumber’s putty. If so, take apart your fixture, remove the existing putty thoroughly, and reapply new putty.[14] 
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