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icandoit · Nov 12, 2005, 12:59 PM

I'm about to install my fiberglass shower and I've done some reading on the process. I am confused about one thing. Which is better to use under the drain, plumbers putty or silicone caulk?

I'm leaning towards the putty. I know it's been used for years and has performed well, but I'm wondering if maybe the silicone caulk is better suited to the fiberglass installs. Since it will be on a slab I need it to be as permanent as possible. And yes, I will be reinforcing the floor.

Thanks... Randy

hvac1000 · Nov 12, 2005, 02:28 PM

I applications like this Silicone is not worth it. Sikicone will loose its bond. Go with the tried and true putty.I did.

icandoit · Nov 12, 2005, 04:03 PM

I tend to agree. On a non-pourous surface silicone can easily lose its bond. I already installed it and I used the putty.

Question now is, how tight do you tighten the nut. What I have been doing is I tightening it by hand at first and then I leave it for a few minutes and tighten it some more. What's happening is the putty keeps oozing out each time I tighten it. Guess I'll just keep doing this till the putty stops oozing.

But then, how much torque do you place on the rubber gasket? Should I use a wrench to torque it or is hand tight good enough?

Thanks... Randy

speedball1 · Nov 12, 2005, 04:30 PM

Hi Randy,
Crank down on that sucker till the putty stops oozing out. The installation sequence goes like this. Drain with a rope of putty under the lip. Set the drain in the hole. Now underneath, the neoprene gasket goes first followed by the fiber anti-friction washer followed by the large nut. Hand tight just don't get it. You need a wrench to squeeze all the putty out and make your drain secure. Good luck, Tom

icandoit · Nov 12, 2005, 05:59 PM

All right Tom, that's what I wanted to know and needed to hear.

Now where did I put that big spanner wrench I got from Paul Bunyan... lol.

Thanks a bunch... Randy