[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Overview:Why do plumbers use plumbing tape and how can it benefit your home improvement projects?[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
What exactly is plumbing tape and does it actually differ from other types of tapes on the market?
The answer to the latter portion of that question is that plumbing tape is very different than other tapes. Plumber’s tape, often called Teflon tape, (polytetrafluoroethylene, or PTFE) helps you get a watertight seal on threaded pipe joints. It’s also referred to as thread seal tape or pipe thread.
>> SOURCE: How to Use Plumber’s Tape[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
How Does Plumbing Tape Work?
Frequently called Teflon or plumber’s tape, this plumbing tape is typically used for leak repair or self-amalgamation to fix those thin hairline cracks and other non-joint pipe leaks. The physical composition of this tape fills the pipe threads with a sealant that stops water from leaking through the thread’s connection.
Plumber’s tape is ideal for at-home projects yourself, as many homeowners find it useful to wrap around the threading of pipes. But the presence of this tape is more than mere decoration — it helps lubricate pipe connections, preventing them from sticking when you’re trying to disassemble the joint or threading a bit smoother.
Plumbing tape is effortless to use, but there is a right and wrong way to apply it. It’s recommended to use threaded connections that don’t have a built-in rubber seal.
How to Use:
If you find a pipe’s joint leaking, it might be because the plumbing tape has worn out or there’s no tape at all. This is where the plumbing tape comes in.
Once you turn off the water and disconnect the pipe from the joint, remove the worn-out plumbing tape (if any) and apply the new one.
Circulate the plumbing tape on the thread in a clockwise direction and wrap it around the joint about four to six times from the second thread of the bottom. The tape should be parallel with the yarn before reconnecting the pipe. Once done, turn the water on to test for the leak.
One thing to remember is that plumbing tape isn’t an ideal choice for leaks that aren’t at points of joints. For that, you’ll have to shift to silicon tape. Silicon plumbing tape will help create a solid waterproof seal while you can search out a permanent fix.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
When Should You Use It?
The proper application of the suitable pipe is the key to a successful DIY project or any professional task you’re working on. Since it helps lubricate the joints, let’s find out when it is most helpful.
Plumbing tape is an incredibly effective and convenient material found in toolkits worldwide. Besides, it’s essential to use these thread tapes for fitting brass pipes unless a gasket has taken over.
Leaking Joints:
If you find the pipe joints leaking, it might be because the connection between them is loosened or some minor technical problem occurred. Either way, plumbing thread tape helps with both issues. Compression joints on a newly installed pipe will work fine if you apply the tape.
Hairline Fractures:
We mentioned earlier, but plumbing tape is ideal for hairline fractures. You know that the pipe is damaged when the leak isn’t in the joint but in the middle of the pipe. To cope with that, silicone tape works miraculously, saving you from spending bucks on other fixtures.
Can You Use Teflon Or Plumbing Tape On The Kitchen Faucet?
Yes, you can! To make your faucet well worth your time and money, wrap a bit of plumbing tape around each thread to give everything a tight seal. The rugged and stiff gum will help the faucet on sink basin near the top of the kitchen cabinet last longer.
When Should You Not Use It?
It would help if you didn’t use plumbing tape, specifically PTFE tape, when connecting PVC valves or pipe fitting with a Female Plumbing Thread (FPT). If you use the tape on those connections, you’ll end up causing a wedging action, leading to significant stress on the joint.
Moreover, PTFE doesn’t guarantee a leak-free connection so always inspect the water connection to inform the leakage.
Avoid using plumbing tape on tapered pipe threads since these flexible hoses are attached to a rubber cone inside the nut. You may tighten the fitting to stop it from leaking temporarily, but the best way is to tighten it up into small chunks and steps until it stops leaking.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
In Summary:
The bottom line is that plumbing tape is ideal when you to prevent plumbing leaks — this is a small but mighty essential for most plumbing projects. So if you’re an occasional plumbing experimenter looking for a pocket-friendly solution, plumbing tape is one of your best bets![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
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