How to Fix a Drip With Putty
- 1). Turn off the water supply at the home's main shutoff valve, if working on copper or CPVC water lines.
- 2). Wipe off all dirt, debris or grease from the damaged pipe surface area using a rag and household cleaner.
- 3). Brush over the damaged pipe surface area with a wire brush or fine sandpaper, to create slight abrasions on the pipe. This will help both secure and bond the putty to the pipe.
- 4). Remove all wedding bands or other jewelry from hands or wrists. Put on rubber gloves, if the putty irritates the skin.
- 5). Cut equal amount of putty from both bars using a utility knife -- the putty is two different colors. Knead and roll the putty together in your hands, until it becomes one uniform color. This process should take roughly 5 minutes.
- 6). Apply the putty onto the pipe surface over the damaged area as well as around the pipe, forming a shape like a wedding band. Ensure that the putty covers the damage half an inch in each direction.
- 7). Wet your hands and smooth out the putty, decreasing its thickness where it meets the pipe surface.
- 8). Wait for the putty to fully cure in 3 to 5 hours for PVC, ABS and CPVC pipes, and 24 hours for copper pipes. Turn on the shutoff valve and use the water supply pipes only after these curing periods have passed.