41
votes
Accepted
Why not put pipe dope on female thread?
The pipe dope on the inside threads would be mostly pushed out of the threads into the fitting.
Now that blob ends up migrating to regulators and valves causing failures.
If only applied on the male ...
- 102k
17
votes
Accepted
Stains in grout
As suggested by @Ecnerwal, I wrote to Custom Building Products' customer support. Got a reply within 15 minutes:
The isolated areas look to be a bit of sealer residue that might not have been wiped ...
- 483
17
votes
Why not put pipe dope on female thread?
The idea that a fillet of pipe dope as shown in the figure would enhance sealing is flawed. The pipe dope is a semi-liquid; it won't stay in place unless held there by some mechanical force. The ...
- 27.9k
16
votes
Accepted
How do I clean sealant/silicone from a glass mirror?
Wait until it dries and use a razor blade to scrape it off.
- 723
8
votes
What can I use as caulk that a cat won't destroy?
Rub a little Tabasco™ sauce or other hot sauce of your choosing on the caulked joint. That will cure most critters of chewing on things they shouldn't.
Granted, it's a bit odd that the cat chooses to ...
- 43.1k
7
votes
Is it a bad idea to temporarily caulk a toilet base leak?
It is a very bad idea to caulk around the base of a toilet.
It is an even worse idea to caulk around the base of a toilet with a known seal leak.
Do not wait, pull the toilet up and replace the seal ...
- 35.1k
7
votes
Stains in grout
Did you use all the grout at once? Some grouts aren't dry mixed well at at the factory. If you read the fine print it will say to mix the dry grout BEFORE adding water to.
So if you do it in ...
- 6,196
6
votes
What can I use as caulk that a cat won't destroy?
In the bath tub the only joint needing caulk (commonly) is the wall/tub intersection. If your pet only is interested in pulling out caulking you might try repairing the joint with silicone, but than ...
- 10.9k
5
votes
Accepted
Shed with gaps at the top, wasp nest come back every year
Wire mesh is a good idea in that it maintains the same level of ventilation offered by the current openings. Only you can decide of the ventilation is necessary or desired. I could see problems of ...
- 64.1k
5
votes
Is it normal for sink sealant to be soft like peanut butter?
That's called plumber's putty. It gets used between the drain and the basin, but usually the excess that squeezes out when the drain ("tailpiece") gets tightened is cleaned off. I'm ...
- 20.3k
5
votes
Accepted
Sealant for exterior water line into garage
When I did my water line passing into my house through a concrete wall I left a square knockout in the form work. After stripping the forms and running the pipe through we filled the void with ...
- 13.5k
5
votes
Accepted
What is the sealant around this shower arm, and should I replace it when I replace the arm?
The tiles behind the shower form a waterproof layer that protects the structure of the house against water damage. That seal completes that layer and makes sure no water makes it back in there.
In ...
- 2,379
5
votes
How can can I repair peeling shower drain coating?
This white coating isn't actually sealant. The seal to keep water from leaking is either some plumber's putty under the rim of the drain or a foam or rubber gasket (and yours is probably plumber's ...
- 43.1k
4
votes
How do I clean sealant/silicone from a glass mirror?
On the mirror specifically, you may be able to use acetone solvent, however this may harm the splashback. If you have extra you can test, but it will not harm glass
My go-to solvent for cleaning ...
- 179
4
votes
Accepted
New toilet fill valve's plastic back nut not compressing rubber sealing washer enough to seal cistern inlet hole
First off, and most important, get rid of all the sealant. You can carefully scrape it off with a razor blade or sand it off with some sand paper/emery paper. Make sure you have assembled the sealing ...
- 78.7k
4
votes
Joint between Asphalt Driveway and Block Foundation Sealant
The brand you mentioned (and other brands) make a self-leveling polyurethane horizontal joint sealant. It's applied from a standard or jumbo caulking gun, but once applied it flows and levels out like ...
- 10.9k
4
votes
Plumber's putty or silicone for tub drain?
Plumber's putty is used (in the modern world) to keep gunk out of cracks and little else. It's not a primary drain seal strategy. The rubber gasket is the drain seal. Putty would just aid in cleaning ...
- 129k
3
votes
Accepted
How can I prevent water from beading on roof drain channel?
Beading isn't a problem. If it was, a persistent rain would also be a problem. Chances are the oils on the surface will eventually be removed by weather and the beading will subside anyway.
- 129k
3
votes
Accepted
Non-Permanent Plastic Pipe Sealant or Join Improvement?
It appears to me that since it is on the roof, subject to extremes, that the joint needs to withstand the expansion and contraction of the PVC pipe. That joint you are referring to is just that, it is ...
- 34.3k
3
votes
Accepted
How to avoid mold in shower caulk?
Isherwood's right & make sure you're actually getting the blowing air from the bath fan on the outside of the house. Also, after showers or baths get into the practice of letting the fan run for ...
- 10.3k
3
votes
Sealant for external outlet
Outdoor receptacle boxes aren't intended to be sealed
Yes, that's right: the standard outdoor/weatherproof electrical enclosures in use in the US are not intended to be sealed against water ingress. ...
- 81.7k
3
votes
Accepted
Type of sealant for nails under asphalt shingles
I have used zinc make sure the strip extends beyond the shingles , we started using wide zinc strips at 2 levels after moving to Oregon and noticing no moss or fungus below the metal roof vents. I ...
- 102k
3
votes
Sprayed foam sealant into window blind's headrail, immobilizing it. Blinds are also screwed directly into frame. How to remove (has picture)
If I understand correctly, you've sprayed expanding foam into the head of your blinds. It has now fully encased all the working mechanism of the blinds - the rods, gears, strings, etc.
You could take ...
- 43.1k
3
votes
What can I use as caulk that a cat won't destroy?
Loctite's Power Grab is a very good alternative. It dries hard and has very good adhesion while also being available in white or clear. You may have to get their Ultimate version to be fully ...
- 10.3k
3
votes
Accepted
Should seal tape ever go in a union?
A leaky union is probably caused by one of the following:
misalignment of the two parts -- not sufficiently close to a straight line
debris between the mating surfaces (maybe there's solder here too.....
- 27.9k
3
votes
What is the sealant around this shower arm, and should I replace it when I replace the arm?
It is some kind of caulking, maybe brown silicone for windows.
If replacing/removing the arm will need to replace the caulking. Silicone is usually recommended. Probably want the bath and tub type.
...
- 22.8k
3
votes
What should I use to seal between granite countertops?
Scrape the grout line in the counter top to remove dirt and achieve a depth of perhaps 8mm (just over 1/4in).
Select a grout and colour matched caulking.
They can be of different brands, but some ...
- 15.8k
3
votes
The bathtub sealant keeps coming off
Bear in mind there are different modulus silicones. (Meaning "modulus of elasticity" -- how stretchy/flexible the silicone is.) Could it be you have used a low modulus silicone, which has ...
- 191
3
votes
Which caulk to use on brick facade around electrical outlet
Clear silicone is an option. It will last a long time. It's going to be visible but as long as you don't get it all over the place it will look good.
Keep in mind the existing cover type is not ...
- 3,760
3
votes
Plumber's putty or silicone for tub drain?
I too, prefer plumber's putty, but the general consensus is don't use it with plastics.
"the ABS drain shoe comes with a thick rubber gasket"
I believe the gasket is to provide the seal......
- 6,196
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