hen a leak is discovered, the plumber has to act quickly. Not only must the leak be sealed quickly, the seal needs to be strong and permanent. There’s where Plast-aid Multipurpose Repair Plastic can be a solution.

Plast-aid is a two-part plastic repair product with an abundance of potential applications, including plumbing. The product’s chemical makeup allows it to bond to compatible plastics. It doesn’t simply adhere to, but rather, bonds with compatible plastics on a molecular level, allowing it to essentially become one with the original components.

“Plumbers make up a large percentage of Plast-aid users,” says Plast-aid product manager Patrick Martchink. “For over 20 years, Plast-aid has helped plumbers and do-it-yourself enthusiasts alike make repair projects more cost effective and time efficient.”

Plast-aid forms a strong, waterproof, durable plastic in about 15 minutes. As it cures, it changes consistency to be used to cast, glue, fill, and form. While it chemically fuses to many plastics such as ABS, acrylic and PVC, and those that become sticky after testing with a drop of Plast-aid liquid, it will not bond to all plastics such as polyethylene or nylon. It mechanically bonds to rough surfaces such as wood, stone and concrete.

It can be colored and tooled, and it has a long shelf life. The kit includes a 4-ounce bottle of Plast-aid powder, a 2-ounce bottle of Plast-aid liquid, a mix stick, mix cup, and instructions. To use, the plumber simply needs to pour a small amount of powder into the cup, and add the liquid component until the powder is saturated, then mix thoroughly. Artistic acrylic paint can be added to color match repairs.

“When mixed, the powder and liquid components of Plast-aid initially become very runny. Then as it cures, it begins to thicken like glue, putty, and clay and eventually hardens like a screwdriver handle,” Martchink says. “The process only takes about 15 minutes and creates an air- and watertight seal to whichever compatible plastic it is bonded to.”

Martchink says that new applications for the product continue to be found even more than 20 years after it was first introduced to the market. He feels that plumbers are the perfect fit, though. “With the versatility of Plast-aid, we feel like it should be a fixture in every plumber's toolbox,” he says. 970-577-1000; www.plast-aid.com.