By Sean Comerford Plumber’s putty and silicone sealant are two common types of sealants used by plumbing professionals. But which one does what? And when should each be applied? This article provides a detailed breakdown of the key differences between these two popular products and when to use them. What is plumber’s putty? Plumber’s putty Read more
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By Sean Comerford
Plumber’s putty and silicone sealant are two common types of sealants used by plumbing professionals. But which one does what? And when should each be applied?
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the key differences between these two popular products and when to use them.
What is plumber’s putty?
Plumber’s putty is a sealing staple for professional plumbers. This easy-to-use product will prevent the migration of water between two rigid surfaces, keeping your fixtures leak-free. A malleable, clay-like compound, plumber’s putty creates a watertight seal by filling in the space under a flange to prevent water from seeping through.
What is silicone sealant?
You’ve probably noticed the terms ‘caulk’ and ‘sealant’ are often used interchangeably. The two products serve a similar purpose, which is to act as sealing agents to fill gaps and cracks, as well as bonding agents between building materials, such as joining countertops to sink bases. Intended to prevent leaks, they are both applied to surfaces using a caulking gun, which likely explains why a sealant is technically categorized as a type of caulk.
The key distinction between a caulk and sealant? Elasticity.
— Caulk is typically made from a mixture of latex and acrylic materials, which make it more rigid and prone to shrinking when cured.
— A sealant offers superior elasticity and water resistance, because it primarily contains silicone. The silicone material allows a sealant to easily expand and contract during changing temperatures without losing its airtight/watertight seal.
Therefore, sealants are a smart choice for areas that experience frequent weather fluctuation and high moisture levels, such as kitchens, bathrooms, as well as around doors and windows.
The two most important factors to keep in mind when selecting a caulk or sealant are the temperature range and moisture level at the site of application. Silicone sealant can be applied at temperatures between 0 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and can withstand operating temperatures of -70° F to 400° F.
4 key differences between plumber’s putty and silicone sealant
1. Dry time: Plumber’s putty has no dry time, whereas silicone requires cure time. Typically, most siliconized sealants or caulks need approximately 24 hours to cure completely or a minimum of eight hours before exposing it to water or moisture.
After plumber’s putty has been applied and the fixture put in place, the latter can be used immediately. However, if putty is being used in colder applications, we suggest waiting 10 minutes after the initial installation to confirm the product does not need an extra turn to ensure it is properly secured.
Typically, most types of sealants need approximately 24 hours to cure completely or a minimum of eight hours before exposing it to water or moisture.
2. How it dries: Silicone sealant or siliconized caulk is an adhesive and cannot be remolded or replaced after it has dried. Plumber’s putty is an easily workable, soft, pliable, fixture-setting compound. Unlike some other sealants, plumber’s putty remains soft over time and can be easily modified after its first application.
Plumber’s putty will remain pliable when not exposed to air and can be used as a bedding compound for strainers, faucets, and tub waste and overflows once out of the container. However, if the putty is exposed to air for an extended period of time, it will harden and become brittle. Once the putty has dried, nothing can be added to regenerate the putty without affecting the quality of the product.
3. Clean-up: Plumber’s putty is also easier to clean than silicone, because it does not stick to hands and requires no additional tools. Applying silicone can get messy. As a result, many contractors carry additional products, such as a caulking gun or a silicone spray, to make the application easier. In contrast, when using plumber’s putty, you need no more than a tub of putty to get the job done.
4a. When and where to use it — Plumber’s Putty: Plumber’s putty is specifically designed for plumbing applications. It is ideal for setting faucets, sink basket strainers, shower and pop-up drains. It’s easy to wipe away after installation and will not be visible from the outside of the plumbing fixture once installed. Oatey Plumber’s Putty, for example, will last two years from the manufacture date if the lid is sealed properly.
Because plumber’s putty is oil-based, it can stain porous materials, such as granite, marble, quartz and sandstone. For application on these surfaces, use a stain-free plumber’s putty, as this product is oil-free and will not stain the porous material.
Plumber’s putty is shaped by hand before it is applied to the plumbing part. Prior to using plumber’s putty, ensure all surfaces are dry and free from hardened putty, dirt, wax, oil and grease. Remove debris by wiping with a cloth, scraper or wire brush as needed and dry the surface.
Read this blog for the steps to apply plumber’s putty.
Do NOT use plumber’s putty in these instances:
- On plastics (acrylic or ABS — Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), because it will affect the integrity of the material and lead to product failure.
- In any pressurized connection, such as a gasketed fitting or on the thread of pipes. Although plumber’s putty creates a watertight seal, it is not an adhesive or glue.
- To seal a leaky toilet or toilet bowl to a finished floor, because plumber’s putty will dry out in the applications and is not waterproof. Cleaners and urine can also compromise the integrity of the putty if they come in contact with one another on the bathroom floor.
- To seal windows or doors, because plumber’s putty lacks any insulating qualities
- To install a drain on an acrylic tub and/or shower uni Stain-free and regular plumber’s putty can have an adverse effect on the finish of acrylic surfaces, similar to its effect on ABS plastic materials. You should use only 100%-silicone for this application.
4b. When and where to use it — Silicone Sealant: Due to a silicone sealant’s strong adhesiveness, elasticity and water-resistant properties, it’s an excellent choice for kitchen and bath applications, including:
- bonding top-mount and undermount sinks to countertops;
- bathtub/shower surrounds, doors and drains;
- sealing gaps and seams in gutters;
- filling exterior holes made by nails or screws;
- HVAC applications.
The bottom line
Plumber’s putty and silicone sealants are both great products to use on your projects, but they each have their own set of uses and benefits.
- If you’re looking for something that will withstand frequent weather fluctuation and high moisture levels, silicone sealant might be the best option.
- On the other hand, if you need something to prevent the migration of water between two rigid surfaces, keeping your fixtures leak-free, plumber’s putty is a smart choice.
About the author: Sean Comerford is a Technical Applications Manager at Oatey Co. He is a third-generation tradesman with nearly 20 years of plumbing experience, including serving as the lead plumber for commercial/residential new-construction, service and fire protection jobs. He holds a State of Ohio Fire Protection License for Sprinkler and Standpipe.
If you run a service contracting business, you might be happy with how things are going. You might think everything is fine and there are no changes you have to make. However, is this really the case? In reality, there are usually all kinds of things you can do to make your business better, even Read more
If you run a service contracting business, you might be happy with how things are going. You might think everything is fine and there are no changes you have to make. However, is this really the case? In reality, there are usually all kinds of things you can do to make your business better, even if it seems to be going well right now. The thing to remember is that there is always room for improvement. To help you get an idea of the kinds of things you might want to improve in your service contracting business, we’ve put together a list of a few ideas. Read on to find out more.
Modern Payment Options
How do your customers pay you right now? It might be that although the payment methods you have right now are technically fine, other, more modern methods might be better. Being paid by cash can be problematic as you might lose it or spend it before you can put it back into the business. Cheques are an issue as they might not clear, which means you have extra work to do to get paid again. Bank transfers take time to set up, and your customers might forget.
By adding different methods like card payments, you make it easier for people to pay you instantly, and they can choose the card type that works best for them. This might even entice more people to use your business because they know they can pay for the service easily. The key thing to remember is to pick the right card processing software – take your time making sure you have something that works well for you. After all, credit card processing for CBD businesses might be different from credit card processing for plumbing businesses, and you want to help your customers, not hinder them
Embracing Technology
Plumbing is a service that has been around for a long time, and many of the methods used today are the same as they have always been. So if you work in this way, it can be hard to think of making any changes. However, it might be that you can become more efficient and cost-effective (for you and your customers) if you start to embrace technology more and use it to your advantage.
Following on from the point above, you can use technology to make invoicing and accounting easier, for example. Or you can use different technology to help with certain plumbing tasks. You could even create an app for your customers so they can book appointments easily and learn how to do some plumbing jobs themselves (boosting their trust in you and saving you time to work on larger jobs). You don’t have to change everything – some older ways of doing things are better and could even be your USP – but changing what you can and embracing technology will definitely update and improve your business.
Better Marketing
A lot of the time, plumbing businesses rely on word of mouth and positive reviews and recommendations to get more business. They will do a good job for a customer who will then go on to recommend the company to friends and family, and so it keeps going.
However, if you want to update your plumbing business and do more, you’ll need to think about better marketing methods. Word of mouth is excellent as it doesn’t cost anything, but it’s wise to invest some money in marketing to enhance your reach. Do some market research to determine who your target market is and create a marketing campaign that is tailored to them and used in the places they spend time, whether that’s social media or somewhere in the ‘real world’.
Every business is going to be different, so it might be that social media is the right place to advertise, but it could be that you need to invest in print advertising, radio spots, or even billboards. The more you put into your marketing, the more you’ll get out of it, but do remember to have a good plan in place first so you don’t overspend and you remember to test that each marketing method is really working.
More Training
Plumbing is not an easy sector to work in and it takes a lot of effort and studying to get to a point where you can be qualified and do good work. However, it’s crucial that you don’t assume you know everything once you get your qualification – there are always new ideas coming out.
This is why you need to keep up with your training and do refresher courses from time to time. It’s also wise to watch vlogs, read blogs, and go to industry conferences so you can always be up to date with new ways of working.
Nashville field tech enablement software provider equips HVAC leader’s nationwide dealer network with comprehensive technical services solution XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, announces an enhanced collaboration with Carrier, an industry leader in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Dealers will benefit from a more streamlined experience between Carrier technical support services and distributor Read more
Nashville field tech enablement software provider equips HVAC leader’s nationwide dealer network with comprehensive technical services solution
XOi, a leading provider of technician-focused technology solutions, announces an enhanced collaboration with Carrier, an industry leader in heating, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions.
Dealers will benefit from a more streamlined experience between Carrier technical support services and distributor and dealer networks by utilizing XOi’s advanced technology for improving real-time installation or maintenance troubleshooting.
The Carrier Digital Advantage is a fully connected, incentivized ecosystem of digital tools and technologies provided to Carrier dealers and technicians. This program empowers dealers to provide best-in-class customer service by being more productive and efficient.
“The collaboration with XOi supports the Carrier Digital Advantage by empowering service teams with data insights and virtual support tools for each step in resolving service requests,” said Bob Lang, Director of Quality Assurance, Carrier. “Field technicians can quickly access resources from the Carrier support team to provide exemplary HVAC service.”
With XOi, Carrier technicians can access educational resources and equipment information to enhance efficiency and accuracy and provide exceptional customer service.
“We’re enhancing how information is shared among Carrier distributors and our dealers,” said David Kesterton, President of Mingledorff’s, a large HVAC distributor in the Southeast. “The collaboration between XOi, Carrier and our distribution team drives an even more efficient process for reporting and resolving issues in the field and keeping projects on track. Technicians have immediate access to the information they need with a tablet or smartphone. That kind of accessible, easy to navigate knowledge base helps deliver a premium customer experience.”
“Having both the distributor and Carrier technical support teams utilizing XOi brings closer alignment on field needs in real-time,” said John Holloman, Distributor Service Manager for Robert Madden Industries of Lubbock, Texas. “This enhancement to the partnership helps provide superior customer service to our dealers and each customer.”
Equipped with the data and analytics capabilities of XOi’s curb-to-curb solutions, Carrier service technicians can collect, index and analyze jobsite information and build an accessible institutional knowledge base that supports real-time decision-making.
“Expanding this collaboration to all service technicians helps Carrier contractors meet and exceed the demands of their customers,” said Aaron Salow, CEO and Founder of XOi. “The unique functionality and comprehensive communication and support XOi delivers supports Carrier’s commitment to providing an extraordinary service experience.”
XOi helps field service contractors and their teams drive productivity, elevate customer experience and help identify skilled technicians. For more information about XOi, visit https://xoi.io.
Plumbers need to buy their tools and materials from somewhere. This is where a plumbing supplies business can come in handy. Such companies specialize in serving plumbers by selling everything from copper piping to pipe cutters. Just how should you get involved in this trade? This post explains… Decide whether to manufacture or solely supply Read more
Plumbers need to buy their tools and materials from somewhere. This is where a plumbing supplies business can come in handy. Such companies specialize in serving plumbers by selling everything from copper piping to pipe cutters. Just how should you get involved in this trade? This post explains…
Decide whether to manufacture or solely supply
You could choose to manufacture supplies like piping, radiators or even boilers yourself. These could then be directly sold to plumbers. Alternatively, you could simply act as a wholesaler. Manufacturing your own supplies is likely to be a lot more expensive to set up, however there could be a potential for bigger profits. Becoming a wholesaler may be better suited for those that want to spend less upfront and don’t want to learn about manufacturing. You could even set up a physical shop that plumbers can walk into.
Work out how to fund your business
You can fund your business either with savings, a loan or by seeking help from investors. If you plan to manufacture supplies, you’ll likely need more than savings to get started and will need to consider one of the latter two options. There are lenders that specialise in large business loans – having a business plan and good credit score will help you get approved. There are also venture capital firms out there willing to invest in your project – a good business plan and proof of industry knowledge could help you secure investment in these cases.
Check out the competition
It’s important to study your competition. This will likely include large national suppliers and small local suppliers. Such companies can provide inspiration on how to run your business. At the same time, studying your competitors can help you to work out a way of standing out. You could focus on a supply niche such as heating pumps or radiators. Alternatively, you could plan to offer the best pricing or a bespoke service.
Set up suitable space for your business
You will need to set up space for a warehouse or factory. Commercial space can be a big investment and it’s worth exploring ways to reduce costs such as using pallet racking to maximize a smaller space or buying space that already has features like ventilation and adequate flooring. There are real estate companies that may be able to help you find commercial space in your area to rent. Make sure that any modifications you plan to make to the space are allowed.
Create a marketing plan
Marketing your business is essential for attracting customers. Start by creating a website and social media pages. Then consider various marketing strategies to get your name out there such as paid online advertising, SEO, email marketing, flyers and reaching out to plumbers via sites like LinkedIn. Consider offering initial discounts or advertising loyalty schemes to help reel customers in. Make sure to also network with anyone in the plumbing industry that you may already know as it may be possible to turn them into customers or set up cross-promotion opportunities.
According to a recent study by Global Market Insights, the air source heat pump market value is projected to cross $77 billion by 2028. Increasing demand from growing real estate sector along with soaring requirement of space heating applications across colder regions will encourage the product deployment. Air to water source heat pumps segment is Read more
According to a recent study by Global Market Insights, the air source heat pump market value is projected to cross $77 billion by 2028. Increasing demand from growing real estate sector along with soaring requirement of space heating applications across colder regions will encourage the product deployment.
Air to water source heat pumps segment is anticipated to witness a noteworthy growth owing to various features including simple design and easy installation, says the report. Rising global temperature and growing green building construction will provide positive drivers for product deployment. Integration with solar heating source and hence low input cost for product across temperate countries will drive the space heating systems demand in the forecast timeline.
Lochinvar’s air source heat pump water heater
The movement towards electrification—moving away from fossil fuel—seems to be the main driver of the heat pump movement. “I think consumers see an option to add PV, or join a solar garden, to become more energy independent. So having a heating, cooling and DHW option powered by your roof makes some sense. The rise in fossil fuel prices, uncertainty around supply certainly adds some motivation to look at heat pumps,” says Bob ‘Hot Rod’ Rohr, training manager, Caleffi, and former hydronic contractor of more than 30 years.
Recently, Mechanical Hub spoke with Arthur Smith, Residential Product Manager, A. O. Smith, and Jennifer Russell, Segment Development Manager, Decarbonization, Lochinvar, to get the latest on heat pump technology and heat pumps water heaters.
MH: What are some of the driving forces behind this technology?
Arthur: At A. O. Smith we’ve seen two major driving factors behind the increasing popularity of residential heat pump water heaters. First, as consumers have begun to see wider availability of this technology, along with its carbon emissions reduction and tremendous cost savings, they’ve pushed to utilize heat pump water heaters in their own homes, further increasing demand. The second driving factor we’ve seen is the evolving regulations around decarbonization. These changes have placed an emphasis on heat pump technology as an excellent option for greenhouse gas reduction.
A. O. Smith’s CHP-120 heat pump water heater
Jennifer: On the commercial side, greenhouse gas emission reduction is the main driving force behind the increase and development of heat pump technology. However, due to the lack of availability of commercial heat pump technology, we don’t see it utilized in applications as often as the residential sector. In addition to state and local reduction goals, there are also many companies and building owners who are setting their own goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and they’re seeking out heat pump water heaters as a way to meet those goals.
MH: What are the benefits of heat pump technology?
Arthur: The core benefit of heat pump water heaters is the massive jump in efficiency. High efficiencies drive cost savings, which is a huge benefit to homeowners.
Jennifer: One of the main benefits of heat pump technology is that there are zero direct carbon emissions from the unit. For any commercial building looking to decrease its environmental impact footprint, this technology can play a big role in meeting those goals. In addition to the environmental benefits, heat pump technology is also incredibly efficient, providing an average annual efficiency of 200-300%.
MH: Do you see demand for heat pumps more on the residential side than commercial? What is the ratio?
Arthur: Overall, we’ve seen significant interest in both commercial and residential applications.
Jennifer: At Lochinvar, we’ve seen interest in both commercial and residential applications. Interest in ommercial applications for heat pump water heaters has grown significantly in the last couple of years, primarily due to evolving state and local environmental regulations.
Can the grid support a heat pump transition?
Arthur: The grid has been able to support the transition so far, but as heat pump technology continues to increase in popularity, developing the grid will need to be prioritized. It seems that most regulators are aware of this need to develop the grid and are building their regulations accordingly so the grid isn’t overwhelmed.
Jennifer: While the grid may be able to support a heat pump transition eventually, it can’t happen overnight. It’s going to take many years to fully develop a grid that can support a full transition to heat pump technology. In the meantime, we can develop and implement tools, such as demand-response technology, to help support the transition.
MH: Is a different skill set required for installation?
Arthur: On the residential side, there isn’t a different skill set required for installation. A. O. Smith designed our residential heat pumps so they can be installed in almost the same way as our standard electric water heaters. There are still some minor considerations, like draining non-acidic condensate produced by heat pumps and differing space requirements, but overall, the installation process is nearly the same as what most contractors are familiar with now.
Jennifer: There isn’t a different skill set required for installation, but there is unique training that can better prepare someone to install or service heat pumps. Heat pump water heaters have features that differ from traditional water heaters and these features require different training. Lochinvar offers training to help educate on the unique application features of heat pump technology.
MH: What is the life expectancy compared to boilers?
Arthur: Our heat pump water heaters are built to the same quality standards as all A. O. Smith products. We put care into developing products that perform well throughout their lifetime. We’re confident in our products and offer a standard 10-year limited warranty on every heat pump we produce.
Jennifer: You’re not going to see any loss of life expectancy with heat pump water heaters. They’re designed to hold up and perform as well as other water heating technology
MH: Do you offer training for these products?
Arthur: Since residential heat pump technology has been around for a bit longer than commercial, we’ve had time to develop training resources that focus on the installation and servicing of these units. A. O. Smith University offers digital live training at www.university.hotwater.com and there are courses available that focus specifically on heat pump technology.
Jennifer: At Lochinvar, we offer training resources to educate sales reps, engineers, contractors and technicians on heat pump technology. At the moment, our heat pump training focuses on topics such as applications for heat pumps, ensuring the correct unit size specification and understanding the technology’s benefits and features.