Put Away the Putty

We received an email from a customer who was having problems with the putty around the strainer in his kitchen sink. Because putty has a tendency to disintegrate and therefore allows leaks, many plumbers have switched to silicone, a process that is relatively painless compared to other kitchen plumbing jobs. The improvements are significant and the switch is easy if you follow these simple steps:

• Apply thick beads of 100% silicone to the flange  of the strainer before placing it into the hole (there should be excess silicone squeezing out of the top)
• Let the strainer sit for at least 24 hours, allowing the silicone to settle
• Remove excess silicone using a sharp knife

The newly sealed strainer should create a gasket that is exactly the size of the sink.

Because Roto-Rooter has locations across the country, you always have local plumbing companies as well as licensed plumbing specialists at your service. For help with sink plumbing repairs or any other plumbing services, call 1 800 GET ROTO or schedule an appointment online.