You must know when not to use Teflon tape like in PVC fittings o valves with FPT (Female threads) to avoid stress on the joins and eventually leaks. Copyright 2023 This Old House Ventures, LLC. Fittings, Overall, we can say the slightly better one is the old-school pipe dope, as its handy and more accessible for the larger audience. A true pipe thread sealer is pipe dope. I know that it's the union o-ring that seals and not the threads but I've heard it said that the decreased friction on the threads allows the union to be tightened better which compresses the o-ring better which makes for a better seal. Blue Monster PTFE Thread Seal Tape is a thicker, denser, general-purpose thread seal tape that comes in a monstrous 1,429" roll. Seal plastic fittings by wrapping the thread with Teflon tape. Now Pex and compression tools taking over. Teflon Tape vs. Dope (Pipe Thread Compound) Pipe thread compound, or pipe dope as it is sometimes called, is a paste-like substance that is waterproof. PTFE is a hydrophobic that repels water, meaning water or liquids containing water cannot make PTFE tape wet. DIYers often try to skate by and make-do with the tools they have on hand. It only takes a minute to sign up. Which of the two provided tailpiece types should I use? Seal plastic fittings by wrapping the thread with Teflon tape. My normal method is to use teflon tape and loctite 567 pipe dope over the teflon tape which is made for stainless but it isn't giving me very good results. Why Plumbers Must Follow the National Plumbing Codes. Remember that your irrigation system requires the attention of an experienced plumber. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Youll want to avoid that because liquid drain cleaner can sometimes create more problems than it solves. On the other hand, if you dont like exploring further and usually stick to the simpler stuff proven to work, go for the dope sealant compound in this case. Reco. Using it on fluid fittings results in several unwanted scenarios. However, what most users do for all-plastic fittings is to combine both tape and pipe dope. Green Oxygen This specific tape is colored green making it ideal for oxygen applications like oxygen lines. It doesnt work. If youre still not sure which one to use, you can still get your hands on the pipe dope and Teflon tape and combine them both. Is pipe thread sealant better than Teflon tape? To ensure leak-proof connections in stainless steel it has been proven and is highly recommended that the installer first wraps the pipe threads with two or more thicknesses of Gray Stainless Steel PTFE Thread Seal Tape then apply Gray Magic Pipe Thread Compound over the tape. The Gray Stainless tape has nickel pigment color added ensuring it is good to be used with all stainless steel fittings. Solder the brass half to the copper pipe, thread the steel half onto the galvanized steel pipe with Teflon tape, then join the two together tightly with the joining nut. In other cases, its safe to use sealing tape on brass fittings. Clean up is important! To avoid this, you must wrap the tape by following the thread (clockwork). On the other hand, even tape requires some level of skill you cant just simply wrap it around the end of the pipe. If youll be disassembling a metal p-trap and arm, make sure you have enough rubber compression gaskets to replace the gasket in every joint you disassemble. That defeats the whole purpose of using thread tape since it cant seal if it isnt embedded in the threads. Should you use Teflon tape on hydraulic fittings? To limit this problem, make the steel/copper connections with special dielectric unions rather than with a regular coupling. The one specifically made for gas piping is in yellow, but there are many other different ones with other purposes. Shop our products: https://pexuniverse.comAbout PEX Universe:PEX Universe (aka PEX-U) is a leading industrial equipment supplier offering high quality heatin. Disadvantages. What It Is For: Features And Advantages Of Teflon Tape Teflon tape is commonly used for all kinds of pipes' sealing: applications include central heating system, air compression equipment and pressurized water systems. Then, apply a small amount of pipe dope to the tape, providing extra protection. Thats a big mistake. What is the Cost to Replace Poly B Piping? By submitting your email, you agree to our, When to Use Sealants on Threaded Plumbing Connections, 5 Easy Ways to Remove Scratches from a Glass Window, The 6 Best Tankless Water Heaters (2023 Review), Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. What's not? Dielectric unions stop corrosion between different types of metal by using a rubber or plastic washer and sleeve to keep the metals from touching. Tape is almost always used on most small brass fittings for water and air. Stainless Steel, What are the benefits of tracking solved bugs? That will result in over-torque and ultimately lead to cracks and leaks. Water Well, This is commonly known as plumbers tape. Teflon Tape is a common, inexpensive, and effective thin white tape used to seal pipe threads being joined together for plumbing jobs. 14 "Trashed" bikes acquired for free. This tape prevents galling and seizing. Different situations call for a tee, wye or a long or short sweep elbow. 1.Wrap teflon pipe on one end of arm with thread seal tape in a clockwise direction. How to Use Plumber's Tape Correct Use The trick to getting plumber's tape right is to wrap it around the pipe in the proper direction. If you're inquiring about brass fittings, Teflon tape is only necessary if there isn't already a built-in rubber seal. Chemically inert. At BoshartU, our goal is to equip you and your team with the knowledge you need to be more successful. Teflon tape and pipe dope have been around for much longer and some states require that it be used for natural gas lines and plumbing pipes in residential homes. Mine and Mill, Topics: However, after learning how to use it becomes so easy to apply and unlike pipe dope it is mess-free. That's 5 times more tape than conventional rolls of low-density thin tapes. Sink and toilet shut off valves tend to seize when not operated for long periods of time. Also on larger diameter pipes and always special oil resist dope on fuel. Industrial, You NEVER use pipe dope or teflon tape on the J.I.C. The information below explains the issues with sealing stainless to stainless thread connections, and will greatly reduce the learning curve, ensuring a smooth transition into using stainless steel products. Overtightening supply tubes, pipe and fittings and toilet bolts is one of the most frequent mistakes DIYers make. It was never intended to be used with plastic fittings and you should not use it with any of your plastic fittings. Pipes and fittings must be completely dry before sweating copper pipes. Three products you can use for this purpose are Teflon pipe dope, Teflon tape or PTFE tape. It is generally less messy to use and works great for almost all residential application. Teflon tape is one of those great new products from the early 70's. A customer's recent stubborn coating leak confirmed why we discourage the use of Teflon tape on fluid fittings. Plastic or Brass Fittings? The crack may not happen right away, but the excessive force can break the fitting weeks later, causing a flood. This means that its pretty easy to find and most likely also inexpensive. Lastly, keep in mind that the materials have the last word here. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Using Teflon tape, wrap the male threads of the pipe in a clockwise motion, about 3 to 5 times. Using pipe dope on plastic threads is avoided for the simple reason of attaching pipes too tightly as the fittings get too slick. The problem is that the stem packing seal has welded itself to the valve stem, preventing it from turning. Products with *FREE SHIPPING only applies in the contiguous U.S. PTFE thread tape (commonly called Teflon tape) must wrap clockwise around the threads for it to work properly. Go around the fitting two or three times, then pull the tape tight to break it off. Teflon tape is a standard for many different applications. Different types and densities of PTFE tape are color-coded for different uses. Unclog a Toilet or Call for Drain Cleaning Services? . hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4921841, 'f3ab25d7-8574-4d3c-8bed-f1ebfc547b51', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); There are specialty tapes and thread seal compounds that must be used to avoid galling or seizing of the threads caused by oxidation. The only difference is that that Teflon tape comes in different shades, each for a specific purpose. Since theyre often installed in out-of-the-way places, the leak can go unnoticed for months, causing mold problems. This is especially true when working with "black" pipe, since I want some corrosion protection in these joints. Using such tape wont create the perfect seal on connections and eventually fail because Teflon tape was never intended to be used for such kind of pressures. You need to use Teflon tape whenever you want to work on any fittings. Prevent air leaking from couplings on an air compressor hose. Stop worrying about scratches, chips, and rust. Should I use Teflon tape or pipe dope when connecting PVC to metal? Like pipe dope, it is designed to seal threaded joints against leakage, but it's a stretchy film that can be wrapped around threads. I make all my videos as succinct and helpful right off the bat. NPSF like NPTF creates a mechanical seal due to the deformation of the threads, however, unlike NPTF NPSF threads are not tapered. If theres any water near where youre working, itll cause the joint to leak. gtag('config', 'AW-948175282/-9a3CNG7j3gQsoOQxAM', { 'phone_conversion_number': '800-767-8731' }); Add a new galvanized steel pipe length (nipple) at each end and solder in your copper. The threaded end of the pipe should face you as you wrap it. s handy and more accessible for the larger audience. As a general rule, pipe dope creates a more robust seal than Teflon tape and is preferable for more demanding jobs. This type of challenge usually comes to us when were in the need of fixing our oven or a stove in the kitchen. Whatever the case, what is most important is that the leak is stopped to prevent damage. Heat resistance: Teflon industrial coatings can operate continuously at temperatures up to 260 C (500 F) and be used for intermittent service up to 316 C (600 F), with adequate ventilation, without affecting other properties. oil and gas (propane,natural gas) pipes. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Category Teflon+Pipe+Joint+Tape Teflon Pipe Joint Tape; Filter. Wrapping Teflon tape around pipe threads to create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers. If you cant attach the new valve or faucet, youll have full water pressure flooding the room and dripping down to the lower floors. How do you Replace Poly B with PEX Piping. Tape should be well burnished into the male threads first. This pipefitter shows you how to quickly and easily apply Teflon tape to pipe threads, plus do you dare go another turn?! Yes. Then I researched Teflon tape . Are there situations when one is preferred over another? 1/2 Inch (4) Width 1%2F2+Inch 1/2 Inch; 3/4 Inch (1) Width 3%2F4+Inch 3/4 Inch; 12 mm (1) Width 12+mm 12 mm . To increase the water-tightness of a plumbing connection apply pipe sealant and then wrap wicking (string) around the threads before assembling the joint. You cant use it to connect two horizontal pipes or a vertical pipe to a horizontal drain. The tape also works as a deformable filler and thread lubricant, helping to seal the joint without hardening or making it more difficult to tighten, and instead making it easier to tighten. Yes, when applied improperly, Teflon tape can cause leaks. Because of this, a thread seal agent may be required. What are some of the biggest red flags when buying a home with Poly B in Vancouver? The paste dope will give me the lube I need to get the pipes properly joined, while at the same time providing corrosion protection. We can see the Teflon tape is not really an adhesive, it is more of a lubricant that binds the threaded ends by holding onto the threads and creating a barrier that in turn seals and prevents leakage. Does an increase of message size increase the number of guesses to find a collision? A pipe dope, on the other hand, is essentially a sticky compound in a can that is applied using a brush. What are some of the risks when buying a home with In-Floor Poly B Heating? In this blog, we have included information that will help greatly reduce the problems and frustration that first-time users of stainless fittings and accessories sometimes have. The easiest way to remove kitchen and bath sink clogs is to use a snake, a barbed drain cleaning tool or even a power auger. Teflon tape is designed to seal joints that are connected on threaded ends of a pipe to prevent leakage. But both of them refer to the same thing. Is pipe dope better than tape? Whenever it is required to make a connection between two threaded ends of a pipe, there is always the possibility of a leak occurring. Stainless is easier to "gall" than carbon steel, hence people don't pull stainless steel fittings up to the same extent during tightening. For most households, dont try to use it on oxygen fittings if you dont have the necessary experience. If pipe dope gets into the pipes the water will carry it to the sprinklers and it will gum them up (using pipe dope also voids the warranty on most sprinklers.) This type of thread when mated, may contain slight gaps between the major and minor diameter of the threads. Wrap the Teflon tape around the male pipe threads using a clockwise motion--the same direction in which you will be attaching the female end of the braided stainless steel hose. Friendly and courteous plumbers that are easy to talk to. Building codes allow for any of the yellow types of Teflon tape be used for gas connections. Applications where the standard PTFE tape works best is in high pressure lines and used best with most chemicals. Almost all of your bathroom and kitchen fittings require using this tape. Pipe dope vs Teflon tape how do you know whether it is smarter to use one or the other? // ]]> Earlier in the article, we mentioned how plastic threads usually go better with Teflon tape, and pipe dope goes better with metal fittings. As I just asked a sprinkler fitter why he was pipe doping then Teflon taping all pipe threads and that was the answer he gave me. Teflon Tape. If you are using a thicker Teflon tape, or if you have a very large pipe, you may need to use more wraps. machined fittings. However, make yourself familiar with when not to use Teflon tape and what are the alternative of it. NPS has a spiral leak path that must be filled with something to hold pressure ; for pressures of municipal water and gas teflon tape and pipe dope are satisfactory. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Also, the critical rules for st. This slow drying, soft settling, non-hardening pipe thread compound is lead free, non-toxic and used for sealing threads on all types of metal. The fact is it's a useful product not only for just plumbers if you have a house, but you will also get to know its importance for sure. 2. rev2023.3.17.43323. This can create an overly tight fit that can break down later on. Typically, if one uses Teflon tape instead of pipe dope on all-plastic fittings, its mostly because they want to avoid two mistakes. We recommend our users to update the browser. Yellow tape - seals gas lines Green tape - seals oxygen-carrying lines The beveled poly washers used on PVC traps and arms can be reused, but you should still have a few spares on hand in case you lose one or discover the old one is cracked. Both have their pros and cons and sometimes are used simultaneously. It comes spooled into rolls very much like adhesive tape. What to try next when pipe joints leak with both thread sealant and with teflon tape? (Some fluids may be incompatible with Teflon.) moltenmetal | Feb 06, 2006 08:11pm | #34. Tape sealants are found all over the plumbing world. It has been proven to be very effective in preventing leaks in all sizes of stainless steel threaded connections! Make sure to keep the tape under tension as you are wrapping so it molds itself into the root of the thread. The paste dope will never harden or flake off, so I know the threads will be protected for a long time. . DIYers often make the mistake of buying just a cartridge or washer for a faucet repair. Tighten the flex hose to the pipe fittings, first . Use a dielectric coupling when fixing the problem to prevent further damage. Is it because it's a racial slur? Strict building codes require that these systems are tested beforehand by being pressurized with air for at least twenty hours to ensure there are no leaks. Usually, 2-3 wraps is enough to cover the threading. Pittsburgh, PA. Jun 26, 2010. Our Nickel-Filled PTFE Thread Sealant Tape, Readi-Seal, is a thick, premium-density tape that permits quick, clean sealing of threaded stainless steel pipe connections. According to Wikipedia the tape resists through any temperature: it will sit intact from -450F (around -270C) to +500F (+260C . When you turn on the water, youll see fine jets of water shooting out of the joint. MENT ONLY FOR HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS or when. Without the right knowledge of these types of sealants and their usage, you can face some serious damage such as water leakage, and that is what you want to avoid. When youre done, simply snug up the stem nut and make sure theres no leak. 2. I am having a heck of a time trying to stop a couple leaks on stainless to stainless pipe fittings. Please consult with a licensed professional first and check for permits or licensing required in your local municipality. Is there really any difference between yellow and white PTFE tape? PTFE thread tape (commonly called Teflon tape) must wrap clockwise around the threads for it to work properly. Manage Settings It has many usages. The DIYer should have used a sanitary tee in this application. It not only seals joints but also lubricates them, making it easy to unthread. If you Corian Sinks Problems According To Users And Is It Worth It? Not sure if that is because they think it works better or just that it is what they have always used before tape was commonplace. It is normally white in color but can also be color-coded to denote what the pipe is carrying. Having correctly cut and clean threads will go a long way in ensuring you have a good joint no matter the type of sealant you use. I like to share my view on everything related to bathroom stuff. Learn how your comment data is processed. Clean dirt, grease, excess oil or any foreign material from threads (Gray Magic adheres to oily threads). //