# Plumber's putty to seal hole in pipe **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392 "2019-03-19T23:29:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/1 "2019-03-19T23:29:10Z")
Probably a stupid question, but I’m just no good with plumbing: The drain stopper in the sink in my basement bathroom broke off from the pipe underneath, so now there’s a 1/2" open hole where the lever would attach between the bowl and the trap. I don’t use that sink very often and if I’m going to be taking the plumbing apart, I’m demolishing the whole bathroom. I’m not going to do that. Can I just stuff the hole full of plumber’s putty? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/2 "2019-03-20T00:17:48Z")
Would probably work fine, but I’d wrap it with self-fusing silicone tape. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/3 "2019-03-20T00:45:32Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Would probably work fine, but I’d wrap it with self-fusing silicone tape. Instead of the putty, right. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/4 "2019-03-20T01:15:18Z")
That self fusing tape does work pretty well, but it’s also expensive. For the cost of a roll of that, you could probably just buy a new stopper. For even less, you could just pick up a new tailpiece without a stopper in it. If you want to spend even less, take a look around your house. Some caulk or really thick glue would probably work, and work considerably better than plumber’s putty. And, if it were me, I wouldn’t do anything other than repair or replace if this is in a place where a leak could cause damage. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/5 "2019-03-20T03:03:31Z")
Sounds good. Thanks for the advice, all. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/6 "2019-03-20T03:51:18Z")
plumber’s epoxy is pretty much designed for this. You cut off the amount you want and activate it by squeezing/needing it. mold it into position. DONE. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2019, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/7 "2019-03-20T04:42:10Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > plumber’s epoxy is pretty much designed for this. You cut off the amount you want and activate it by squeezing/needing it. mold it into position. DONE. And just to be clear, plumber’s epoxy is not the same as plumber’s putty. I’ve always had mixed results with the epoxy. Granted, the time(s) it’s failed on me, it’s been used in sub-optimal conditions. For example, installing it on an actively leaking, walk-in cooler, aluminum condensation pan didn’t work so well. The only way I could get that to work was when I first blow-torched the area, then quickly stuck a chunk of it on. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2019, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-putty-to-seal-hole-in-pipe/831392/8 "2019-03-23T21:15:09Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > … I got a roll of silicone tape, it was $7, and just wrapped the shit out of that pipe around the hole. It took 30 seconds and seems to be working just fine. One sensible suggestion from a friend who does very well from fixing things ‘fixed’ by DIYers is to make sure you re-inspect it at least weekly for a while. It may look great now, but if there is a developing slow leak or something it may not show for a while, and may do damage before it becomes apparent.