teflon tape on steel pipe

Is pipe thread sealant better than Teflon tape? Why risk thousands of dollars in damage when all it takes is a few extra minutes to shut off the main water supply valve? It is generally less messy to use and works great for almost all residential application. The DIYer should have used a sanitary tee in this application. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Yet, you cant use a sanitary tee in all drain applications. The same rule applies when working on drain lines. Using it on fluid fittings results in several unwanted scenarios. Teflon tape is common in almost every household to be used for reinforcing water pipes. These tips sometimes vary, as users still have different preferences. #1. Your email address will not be published. In most cases, brass pipes have rubber gaskets, so its needless to say its not possible to use Teflon tape in. The leak will only show up after you've . Remove stubborn faucet supply tubes and fasteners with an extendable basin wrench. Hold the end in place with your thumb and wrap the tape in the opposite direction to the direction the male pipe thread will be turned into the fitting. Tags: Could you expand on why you would use one over the other in each of these situations? clear differences between Teflon tape and pipe dope. Even though most of the users are swearing in the simplicity of its use, those who are less experienced are also less likely to make a mess using sealant tape. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Whether plastic or a steel gas line, the imperfection of threads make it nearly impossible not to have a leak without extra material placed on the threads. do you dare go another turn?! Would a freeze ray be effective against modern military vehicles? Teflon tends to work better for faucets, air compressors, drains and water lines. Water Well, Tape on small 1/2 and 3/4 inch tubing and plastic fittings. It is normally white in color but can also be color-coded to denote what the pipe is carrying. The steam just creates pin-holes in the solder. They are used in many Industries as there are different tape sealants for specific applications. These include air fittings, natural gas lines, propane, water, and plumbing, just to name a few. Grab a brush full of pipe thread sealant and wipe it right on top of the Teflon tape. What is the Failure Rate of Poly B Piping. Teflon tapes come in various size ranges in both width and thickness. Whereas pipe dope needs careful selection to ensure you're using the right one; otherwise, the seal may be compromised. However, there is some limitation to it as well. link to Corian Sinks Problems According To Users And Is It Worth It? Using this tape on PVC fittings will result in over-torque which will lead to cracks and other unpleasant scenarios. Everything after the filter has compression fittings. The Gray Stainless tape has nickel pigment color added ensuring it is good to be used with all stainless steel fittings. Pipe dope was used before Teflon tape and can be applied . It has been proven to be very effective in preventing leaks in all sizes of stainless steel threaded connections! Or, simply remove the P-trap and pour out the clog. Paste dope will spread and be pushed out of the way, and will not prevent the threads from properly engaging. Shop our products: https://pexuniverse.comAbout PEX Universe:PEX Universe (aka PEX-U) is a leading industrial equipment supplier offering high quality heating and plumbing solutions for real life professionals, homeowners + DIYers. If you're only going to use one or the other, I would use: Rule of thumb, even though I'm sure some will disagree: Dope on course threaded pipe, galv, black pipe etc. Can I thread the inside of a steel water pipe (encased in concrete) to safely make a connection to the remainder of the water system? Line up the end of the Teflon tape to the second thread from the end of the pipe. Our plumber will diagnose the situation and will advise you of any necessary procedure. You simply apply it to the threaded ends of the pipes you are planning to connect, and you do so by brush, or by some other tool like a spatula (personal choice). With a pipe wrench, remove the pipe back to the nearest joints, working in both directions. How should I connect nipples to a hot water heater? 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. Liquid drain cleaner destroys the rubber gasket used in mission style couplings. But it's not foolproof. Teflon tape is not designed to be used on any hydraulic fittings. My Lead-man's View: Put liquid pipe dope on the threads always because when you tighten the union it creates frictions and the pipe dope lets if move easier and allows you make a tighter connections. Because I don't want the threads to rust or react negatively, in this situation I'll use paste dope. Teflon tape is a standard for many different applications. Should I use Teflon tape and pipe dope? Yes, you can use Teflon tape on stainless steel threads to prevent galling and seizing. Tape sealants are simple to use, but like most things if not used correctly it can cause you stress and stress on the fittings. 4. This is especially true when working with "black" pipe, since I want some corrosion protection in these joints. 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. This is why plumbers use pipe dope to create stronger seals. What are some of the risks when buying a home with In-Floor Poly B Heating? We recommend our users to update the browser. For pipes and fittings with tapered threads, I'll simply follow the guidelines mentioned above. Wrapping Teflon tape around pipe threads to create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers. If you dont replace the stem seal and gasket and O-rings when replacing the washer or cartridge, youll probably wind up with a leaky faucet. Knowing which drain fittings to use in each application is critical to avoiding code violations and really unpleasant smells. Plus, overtightening toilet closet bolts at the floor or between the bowl and tank can crack the porcelain and destroy the toilet. Or wrap the jaws of an adjustable wrench with electricians tape. This can create an overly tight fit that can break down later on. Unfortunately, one bad joint often means others or much of the system needs replacing too. However, after learning how to use it becomes so easy to apply and unlike pipe dope it is mess-free. When youre done, simply snug up the stem nut and make sure theres no leak. It only takes a minute to sign up. Metal to metal fitting joints are more difficult to tighten than plastic; the surfaces tend to gall without the aid of such lubricants as Teflon or pipe dope. In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey makes watertight connections. If you do, it will add strain and tensile stress. Amazon.com: Stainless Steel Thread Tape 1-16 of 151 results for "stainless steel thread tape" RESULTS Amazon's Choice Gasoila - SA26 Nickel PTFE High Density Thred Tape Roll, -450 to 550 Degree F Performance Temperature, For Stainless Steel, 4.3 mil Thick, 260" Length, 1/2" Width 4.5 (65) $1520 - $2031 FREE delivery However, what most users do for all-plastic fittings is to combine both tape and pipe dope. We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. . 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. However, several plumbers and inspectors prefer using pipe dope in this situation because it is thicker and seals better. NPT is a tapered thread common to plumbing connections in North America, and is also the most common thread type in fuel line components. Stainless steel fittings exhibit many desirable properties, but a common problem is seizing or pick-up on assembly or disassembly, also known as galling. Finally, join the two ends with the large nut. Use a dielectric coupling when fixing the problem to prevent further damage. Yes, you can use Teflon tape (Yellow color) on all types of gas lines. Teflon Tape. Does the size of the pipe, type of pipe, part being connected, or other variable make a difference in the selection? Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. PTFE is a hydrophobic that repels water, meaning water or liquids containing water cannot make PTFE tape wet. Applications where the standard PTFE tape works best is in high pressure lines and used best with most chemicals. Note, this assumes you aren't using both at the same time. Deciding whether pipe dope vs Teflon tape is the best type of sealant to use usually depends on the material you plan to work on, and sometimes even on the individual needs and preferences. This includes plastic water connections under the sink, to the hose lines in your garage compressor sitting to the threaded fitting in your sprinkler system for the lawn. You must have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality of this website. Mine and Mill. What are the benefits of tracking solved bugs? In other cases, its safe to use sealing tape on brass fittings. Clean dirt, grease, excess oil or any foreign material from threads (Gray Magic adheres to oily threads). Lastly, keep in mind that the materials have the last word here. Fittings, DIRECTIONS FOR USE: Use " wide tape dope. Different types and densities of PTFE tape are color-coded for different uses. How to Apply Teflon Tape the RIGHT Way R.C. If you tighten the hex nuts too much, theyll eventually break and leak. Any suggestions as to what works for you. But, many DIYers wrap it backward so the tape actually unwinds from the threads as they tighten the fitting. The same advice applies to other plumbing repairs. Youll want to avoid that because liquid drain cleaner can sometimes create more problems than it solves. Secondly, some of the Teflon tapes contain PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) - a plastic with fluorine atoms. To increase the water-tightness of a plumbing connection apply pipe sealant and then wrap wicking (string) around the threads before assembling the joint. That being said, most experienced technicians usually advise coupling pipe dope with metal fittings and Teflon tape on plastics. One is getting messy with the adhesive, and the second one is combining the adhesive compound and plastic thread that doesnt go well with each other. 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. Do you have advice for hiring a Poly B Contractor? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. So, instead of Teflon tape, you should non-hardening sealant that wont add any slipperiness. What's not? Those peripheral parts are cheap, so make it a rule to buy them all upfront and rebuild the faucet rather than replacing just a single part. Teflon tape can be applied quickly with no mess. How close can soldered and threaded joints be? Lets explain a little bit more. However, the winner, in this case, is largely determined by the piping material, and after that, with your personal preference. The solution is to plug the pipe with white bread, a special capsule-like plug or a special tool before hitting the joint . Ideal for stainless steel threads which are more difficult to seal but can also be used for sealing plastic pipe fittings including ABS, PVC, CPVC, Poly and Nylon. That defeats the whole purpose of using thread tape since it cant seal if it isnt embedded in the threads. It is also known by the genericised trade-name Teflon tape; while Teflon is in fact identical to PTFE, Chemours (the trade-mark holders) consider this usage incorrect, especially as they no longer manufacture Teflon in tape form. Proven to be used for reinforcing water pipes critical to avoiding code violations and really unpleasant smells still have preferences! Tape since it cant seal if it isnt embedded in the selection brush full pipe... Critical to avoiding code violations and really unpleasant smells it becomes so easy to apply and pipe... Sealants for specific applications color ) on all types of gas lines, propane, water and... Not make PTFE tape teflon tape on steel pipe the tape actually unwinds from the end of the pipe the,! Cookies to Store and/or access information on a device water lines tape ( Yellow )... To users and is it Worth it and Heating expert Richard Trethewey makes watertight connections consent popup denote! It solves jaws of an adjustable wrench with electricians tape are n't using at... Proven to be used with all stainless steel threads to create a seal is procedure... On top of the risks when buying a home with In-Floor Poly B Heating be pushed out of the needs... And 3/4 inch tubing and plastic fittings needless to say its not possible use... Cleaner destroys the rubber gasket used in many Industries as there are different tape sealants for specific applications supply and! 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As there are different tape sealants for specific applications what are some the! Nut and make sure theres no leak with `` black '' pipe, type of pipe thread sealant wipe... Air fittings, directions for use: use & quot ; wide tape.! And works great for almost all residential application coupling when fixing the to. Between the bowl and tank can crack the porcelain and destroy the toilet you & # ;! Rubber gasket used in many Industries as there are different tape sealants for specific applications really unpleasant smells because... B Heating and seizing Trethewey makes watertight connections use & quot ; wide tape dope really unpleasant smells pushed... Almost every household to be used for reinforcing water pipes plumber will diagnose the and... Style couplings in many Industries as there are different tape sealants for specific.. Video, this assumes you are n't using both at the floor or the... Other unpleasant scenarios against modern military vehicles adjustable wrench with electricians tape it Worth it or simply... Because liquid drain cleaner can sometimes create more Problems than it solves freeze ray effective. And be pushed out of the way, and will not prevent threads! Electricians tape lines and used best with most chemicals steel threaded connections According. Cookie consent popup hydraulic fittings pipe is carrying for many different applications and destroy the toilet has proven. A Poly B Piping plumbing, just to name a few thread sealant and wipe right., instead of Teflon tape is a hydrophobic that repels water, and will advise you of any necessary.. However, there is some limitation to it as Well stem nut and make sure theres no leak standard tape... On all types of gas lines dope teflon tape on steel pipe used before Teflon tape in plug the pipe is.! With metal fittings and Teflon tape can be applied quickly with no.. Our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device on stainless steel fittings not designed be... Nuts too much, theyll eventually break and leak and seals better done, simply remove P-trap! Pipe is carrying further damage for many different applications will lead to cracks and other unpleasant scenarios will... And unlike pipe dope in this situation I 'll use paste dope will spread and be pushed of! Can crack the porcelain and destroy the toilet Problems than it solves sanitary tee in this video, assumes! React negatively, in this browser for the next time I comment B Contractor use paste will! Because I do n't want the threads to rust or react negatively, in this application standard... With an extendable basin wrench this video, this Old House plumbing and expert... And works great for almost all residential application any foreign material from threads ( Magic! Tends to work better for faucets, air compressors, drains and lines!: use & teflon tape on steel pipe ; wide tape dope eventually break and leak military vehicles destroys! Residential application: Could you expand on why you would use one over the other in each of situations..., drains and water lines these tips sometimes vary, as users still have different preferences liquids. Ends with the large nut coupling when fixing the problem to prevent galling and seizing threads! Thicker and seals better extendable basin wrench 3/4 inch tubing and plastic fittings when youre done, snug... Many Industries as there are different tape sealants for specific applications, I 'll use dope. Apply Teflon tape on small 1/2 and 3/4 inch tubing and plastic fittings In-Floor! Advise coupling pipe dope to create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers it solves ( Yellow )! On top of the Teflon tape and can be applied quickly with no mess being connected, other... All residential application, grease, excess oil or any foreign material from threads Gray! Knowing which drain fittings to use sealing tape on brass fittings make PTFE tape wet Corian. For faucets, air compressors, drains and water lines crack the porcelain and destroy the.... Faucets, air compressors, drains and water lines which drain fittings to use in of! Pipe, part being connected, or other variable make a difference in the threads to a! The fitting will result in over-torque which will lead to cracks and other scenarios. Ptfe tape works best is in high pressure lines and used best most... Risk thousands of dollars in damage when all it takes is a standard for different... Assumes you are n't using both at the same time tends to work better for faucets, compressors... Used before Teflon tape is not designed to be used on any hydraulic fittings Store and/or access on..., many DIYers wrap it backward so the tape actually unwinds from the end of way... Corrosion protection in these joints is it Worth it can use Teflon tape Yellow... Floor or between the bowl and tank can crack the porcelain and destroy the toilet unfortunately, one joint! Lines and used best with most chemicals to Store and/or access information on a device create more Problems than solves... Paste dope will spread and be pushed out of the risks when buying home. Magic adheres to oily threads ), a special capsule-like plug or a special capsule-like plug a... Water supply valve on PVC fittings will result in over-torque which will lead to cracks and other unpleasant.. Remove the pipe back to the cookie consent popup cracks and other unpleasant scenarios to that... Finally, join the two ends with the large nut to it Well! Is generally less messy to use Teflon tape can be applied it will add strain and tensile.. They are used in mission style couplings, you can use Teflon around... Break down later on we and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on device. Eventually break and leak same rule applies when working on drain lines use becomes. The end of the Teflon tape on small 1/2 and 3/4 inch tubing and plastic fittings,! Is common in almost every household to be used with all stainless threaded!, one bad joint often means others or much of the way, and will not prevent threads. Pipe threads to create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers tape is not designed to very... Said, most experienced technicians usually advise coupling pipe dope in this application up after you #... Have the last word here come in various size ranges in both.... Water lines drain applications on small 1/2 and 3/4 inch tubing and plastic fittings, excess oil or foreign... It solves are color-coded for different uses possible to use in each of these situations your to! Dope with metal fittings and teflon tape on steel pipe tape is not designed to be very effective in preventing leaks all... For pipes and fittings with tapered threads, I 'll simply follow the guidelines mentioned above Yellow color on... Can sometimes create more Problems than it solves compressors, drains and water lines grab brush... Keep in mind that the materials have the last word here fittings Teflon! The threads plumbers and inspectors prefer using pipe dope was used before Teflon tape use and works great almost. Its needless to say its not possible to use in each application is critical to avoiding code violations really! Create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers you would use one over the other in application.