Putty is meant for sealing flanges but not coating pipe threads. Just like plumber’s dope, putty doesn’t dry out or harden. Putty is manufactured from vegetable and mineral oils, making it flexible in nature. Then tighten the fittings a few more turns with an adjustable pipe wrench.īasically, plumber’s putty is a thick, malleable compound that can be shaped with ease. Any excess dope will easily ooze out of the fittings. Use a generous amount of plumber’s dope when applying. You’ll need to apply the dope before fitting one pipe into another or before fitting a pipe into an elbow.
You’ll use the applicator to apply the dope on the threads of a male pipe fitting. Pipe dope comes with an application tool. Pipe dope is available in two forms: one for propane or gas fixtures and another for plumbing. These characteristics make it effortless to apply such that it fills the voids that are formed by pipe threads. It never becomes flaky or brittle over time. Pipe dope stays pasty and doesn’t harden. The product looks like mashed potatoes in terms of consistency. If you have some time to wait for the putty to dry up or harden, then it can be your best bet.Plumber’s dope, also known as pipe dope, is slang terminology for a compound used in joining pipes. You can shape it in any way you prefer to make it more effective, yet it works better for large areas.Īpart from that, silicone dries up faster, so it is a more practical option at first.
In contrast, silicone does not offer such a versatile application, but it is still agile enough. So it works only when you need to cover small areas. But that also means it is not as durable or reliable over time. This allows an easy installation in awkward places. Similarly to maintenance, you’ll find that plumber putty is way more manageable. With silicone, you don’t have that chance – if it breaks or cracks, you’ll need to replace it altogether. While it demands a little more maintenance, it still makes it possible. That’s why when it comes to maintenance, putty works way better. The hardness of silicone makes it challenging to shape & modify. While putty offers the chance to apply and re-apply as much as you need to fix something, silicone does not. Here, only plumber’s putty offers such a possibility. The art of maintaining plumbing fittings demands using the product again and again. But it just doesn’t deliver the same durability. It is not bad, though – it still manages to withstand years of use without problems.
This happens because it is harder than the former, so it either breaks or wears down faster. In contrast, silicone caulk tends to last one or two decades as a max. This happens because of the combination of high-calcite lime and linseed oil – together, they ensure several decades of protection in plumbing fittings. Kitchen and bathroom fittings that were made 20, 30, 40, and even 50 years ago are still handling well enough. Now, let’s explain their differences in-depth. And you should have a better idea of their similarities. Silicone: The Differencesīy now, you should have a clear idea of what plumbers putty vs silicone offer.