Plumber's Putty

[sawduster]

Does this stuff go bad sitting in its sealed plastic tub over time? I've got a tub of it that I've had for several years sitting out in the shop. Used it to seal sink drains and such and for the grommet, or what ever it is called, on the kitchen sink through which the sprayer hose passes. That held up for a couple years or so, but recently separated and when I attempted to reattach it with the plumber's putty, the putty won't stick well to the sink nor harden like it did before. Guess I'll probably have to get a tube of clear silicon to glue it back down.

[mduren]

Hi Jerry, Hope you are feeling OK.

I have always considered plumbers putty as a gasket, not an adhesive. I would suggest silicone if you need to glue something down.

Plumbers putty will dry out over time, sounds like time for a new tub...

Marv

[TDHofstetter]

I've heard it said - and it probably depends upon the brand of putty - that you can "revitalize" plumber's putty by adding a tiny amount of mineral spirits. I've had some in my plumber's box for several years, though, & it's not gone strange yet. Luck of the draw, maybe.

Silicone would seal it, but it'd be a bootch to get back off later. If you use something that comes in a tube, try acrylic latex caulk - it's not so nasty to clean up after the fact.

[woodmannie]

I finally used up all the putty I had. 6 years, still good. As stated before, it is to form gaskets not glue.

Tom

[brburns]

I prefer silicone over plumber's putty.