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

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

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

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

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