Well-sealed pipes are among the fundamental building blocks of any plumbing system. Tight pipe connections ensure water, natural gas, or compressed air – all generally referred to as “fluid” – can travel safely from one place to another.
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The ability to reliably seal a threaded pipe is one of the basic skills every plumber has to possess. It’s also an important skill for housebuilders, campground owners, and DIY construction enthusiasts of all kinds.
Almost all plumbing systems contain threaded pipes. These pipes fit easily into one another with threaded male and female connections, much like wood screws. Pipes designed to carry the flow of fluids typically feature a tapered point. In the United States, the specifications for this point are defined by the National Pipe Taper standard.
Which Types of Pipe Threads Need Sealant?
Unlike parallel threads, tapered threads are slightly smaller in circumference at the end of the tapered male insert. This ensures that the pipe connection can safely carry fluid without leaking. However, these joint assemblies cannot achieve a watertight seal on their own. Tapered threaded connections need sealant to guarantee a long-lasting seal.
Non-tapered threaded connections are not commonly found in residential applications in the United States. These thread connections rely on gaskets or O-rings to prevent leakage.
There is a national standard for tapered pipe fittings that does not require sealants. This is the Dryseal American National Standard Taper Pipe Thread. These pipes are usually found in industrial pipe systems designed to transport fuel, so you’re unlikely to see them in residential use.
How to Select a Good Thread Sealant
Since tapered pipe threads feature small voids between threads when connected, they need a malleable substance to fill that extra space and prevent leakage. Thread sealant tape is one of the most popular tools plumbers use to achieve this.
There are multiple types of thread sealant tapes available on the market. Manufacturers make tapes out of various materials, with different thicknesses for specific applications. In order to pick the right sealant tape, you must identify the application you want to use it for first.
Standard sealant tape
is corrosion- and acid-resistant. This is the ideal sealant tape for water system connections, including potable and non-potable water. Standard sealant tape is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, also called PTFE.
White high-density tape
is colored white. It’s useful for industrial applications with strict non-contamination standards. You’ll find this tape in the food manufacturing and processing industry, as well as hospitals and pharmaceutical labs.
Pink plumbing tape
is slightly heavier and more robust than standard thread sealant tape. It is designed for high-performance plumbing applications where high water pressures may compromise weaker fittings.
Yellow gas line tape
fits specific gas company standards designed to ensure the safe operation of hydrocarbon fuel lines. This kind of tape has industrial and home use applications, including butane and propane lines for gas grills and kitchen equipment.
Green oxygen tape
is grease-free and non-combustible, making it ideal for oxygen applications. This type of sealant tape is commonly found in healthcare environments as well as industrial settings.
Grey stainless steel tape
has nickel pigmentation added to the tape, which prevents galling and seizing when used on stainless steel pipe fittings. This is a high-density tape used for heavy-duty industrial and agricultural applications.
How to Use Pipe Sealant Correctly
Forming a hermetic seal with pipe sealant is simple. The process only takes a few steps:
Hold the male-threaded pipe in one hand and the spool of pipe sealant tape in your other.
Wrap the spool of tape around the pipe thread, going in the same direction as the thread.
For most pipes, you should only need to wrap the thread two or three times to achieve a tight grip.
Insert the male-threaded pipe into the female-threaded joint assembly and start twisting it shut.
Tighten the threaded joint one or two turns beyond finger tightness.
Pipe Sealant Mistakes to Watch Out For
While pipe sealant is easy to understand and use, inexperienced plumbers and constructors can still make mistakes. Make sure you pay close attention to these common mistakes people make when attempting to seal their first pipes.
Don’t Overwrap the Pipe Thread.
If you use too much tape, the sealant will wedge between threads. This increases the amount of stress the joint assembly is under, which may eventually lead to leaking.
Don’t Wrap the Female Pipe Thread.
Trying to wrap the female pipe thread will also cause wedging and compromise the strength of the joint assembly.
Be Aware of Tape Thickness.
While most tape and pipe-thread combinations will seal effectively with two or three wraps, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Thinner tape may require four or five turns to generate a tight seal.
Don’t Over Tighten the Joint.
If you tighten a threaded joint more than two turns beyond finger tightness, you may cause the joint to warp over time, which will eventually cause a leak.
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Be Careful When Connecting Pipes Made of Different Materials.
If pipes and fittings are not made of the same material, they may react to the sealing tape in different ways. You can’t guess the outcome of every possible combination (there are hundreds), so you’ll have to test these combinations before trusting mismatched materials to your plumbing system.
Remember That Standards Are National.
This article covers the United States’ national standards. Canadian and Mexican standards will differ, as do pipe fitting standards throughout the rest of the world. Imported equipment may feature non-standard fittings which require special plumbing adaptors.
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Plumber's tape has many uses. It can make projects more manageable and help ensure pipes are sealed properly and watertight. It is a thin yet powerful tape that ensures pipe joints are easy to manipulate without compromising a strong connection.
When choosing any tape, it is essential to understand how it works. If you think plumber's tape is a good fit for your project, then you will benefit from learning more about how this tape works and why it is a good choice for certain projects.
Plumber's tape is made from polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE). PTFE is a fluoropolymer. It is the same substance used on nonstick cookware and also used to make eyeglasses and razor blades. PTFE is nonflammable and nontoxic.
This product goes by various names, including "PTFE tape," after the material used to make it. It's also called Teflon tape, a brand name for PTFE.
Some people call it thread seal tape, plumber tape, pipe wrap tape, or seal tape because its most common application is to seal pipe threads in plumbing projects.
Plumber's tape has a unique construction with various characteristics that make it ideal for plumbing projects. The tape has no adhesive. It won't stick to the pipes, making it easy to remove. Nothing will stick to it either, so it will not be hard to undo a pipe connection for maintenance or repairs in the future.
This tape is very forgiving. It is shock-absorbent, resistant to water and chemicals, and handles high temperatures well. PTFE tape also is stretchy and malleable. The tape is an excellent choice when you want a watertight seal because it can conform completely to the threads in a pipe.
Its smoothness enables the male pipe end, the part with the wrapped and exposed ends, to easily and smoothly fit into the female end, the part with the threads on the inside. Once the pipes are fitted together, the tape fills in small gaps that would otherwise allow water to leak out.
The default plumber's tape is white, but this product comes in other colors that will allow you to identify different pipes. For example, PTFE tape used on natural gas pipes is yellow instead of white, and green is used for oxygen lines and medical gases. By using color coding, people can quickly identify the type of pipes they are working with.
Color also designates the grade of the tape, as some jobs require a specific grade for safety reasons. So color coding is also a type of safety precaution. Using the wrong color could be a hazard in some situations because the wrong kind of tape might not work properly, and others may misidentify the pipe due to a wrong color.
The colors available include:
Standard pipe thread tape is usually 2.5 to 3.5 mil thick, which is very thin, about the thickness of a sheet of paper. Several tapes are thicker than standard white Teflon tape. For instance, the gray tape for stainless steel is about twice the thickness of the standard white tape. Pink or red tape is also more heavy-duty and has a higher density.
It is worth noting that the thickness of the tape will not change its basic properties. It retains its stretchiness and ability to easily tear without a tool.
Tape Jungle also offers some specialty types of PTFE tape, including:
PTFE Coated Glass Fabric Tape for electrical use
Skived PTFE Tape for mechanical applications
Plumber's tape is different from other kinds of tape. For instance, tapes you may have used around the house have adhesive on one or both sides to seal or adhere two surfaces together. Plumber's tape is not sticky, but it works very well in plumbing projects to ensure a tight fit between two pipes when they join together.
This pipe wrap tape serves as a lubricant and sealant for the threads of the pipes. It is slippery but not sticky, and conforms to the spaces between threads. It works very well for ensuring a tight and secure connection yet allows for easy disassembly when needed.
This product not only seals and lubricates pipe threads but also helps reduce the risk of threads getting stuck, thanks to the smooth surface that acts as a buffer.
This product is fairly easy to use. Most situations will only require application by hand, but there are also dispenser machines available depending on the project and the amount of tape required. The tape breaks easily, so you shouldn't have to cut it with scissors. Just pull it tightly, and it should break.
The first rule of thumb for thread seal tape is to wrap it around the pipe in the direction the pipe turns. Otherwise, the tape could unravel or bunch up, causing an improperly sealed connection that will not be watertight.
Follow these steps to use plumber's tape properly:
Plumber's tape is commonly used by professionals in a variety of industries. You can also use it in do-it-yourself projects, which will help you get a professional finish that is attractive and functional.
As the name suggests, plumbing projects are the most common applications. These include:
However, this tape also has applications in other fields beyond plumbing. For example, it can help tighten pipes in a radiator and the connections on a water heater. The auto industry also uses it often for fuel lines and joint connections on vehicles.
You can use this product for almost any situation where you want a tight fit between two parts that screw together. It will work under many different conditions due to its favorable characteristics.
Using this product properly is the key to a good finish. There are some points to keep in mind that will help ensure your project goes smoothly.
When using thread seal tape, it is essential to avoid some common mistakes that could cause issues with leaks or create even bigger problems.
Once you apply the tape, tighten it normally. Do not overdo it. If the seal is not good, overtightening will only make it worse and could damage the threads.
If there is a leak, remove and reapply the tape. It comes off very easily, so this shouldn't be difficult. Be sure to pull it tight as you reapply, apply in the correct direction, and smooth the end.
It cannot be stressed enough that for this tape to work, you must apply it in the right direction. Most pipes will secure in a clockwise direction, which means you wrap in the direction hands on a clock moves: to the right. Another trick is to remember the saying, "righty tighty, lefty loosey." Right tightens something, while left loosens it.
If you apply the tape and notice there is still a bit of leakage despite trying to fix the application, consider using pipe dope in addition to the tape. Pipe dope or pipe-joint compound is a substance you can spread on the threads of a pipe for a tighter seal. It can be quite messy, so many people prefer using only tape. Still, sometimes doubling up on the tape and compound is the best solution.
If you want to use these items together, you will first wrap the threads with tape. Then, you can smooth on some compound. This is a great solution when a pipe may expand and contract (such as conducting heat), which may loosen the tape. The tape will stretch with expansion but will not contract.
No matter what project you're working on, make sure you choose the right tape. At Tape Jungle, we offer over 300 types of adhesive tapes and packaging supplies for every industry and application.
Most of our tape options can be adapted to whatever size or width you need, and we offer a variety of colors, thicknesses, and styles. We supply tapes for industries ranging from automobile to garment to aeronautical to hobbyist communities, like scrapbooking.
Our plumber's tape comes in different colors, densities, and widths to ensure you find just what you need to match the job you have in mind.
Contact Tape Jungle or visit our products page to view all of our industrial tapes for your next home project. Our helpful and knowledgeable customer service agents are waiting to assist you. Whether you simply wish to place an order or need help finding the best tape to suit your project, we can provide expert advice.
If you want additional information about using and choosing PTFE tape, check out the following:
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