Commonly known in the UK as “Portable Jointing Compound” and in the US often known as “Pipe Dope” these products are also used to help seal up threads in pipe joints. The polytetrafluoroethylene tape range comes in gas grade and potable (drinking) water grade and is available in singles or multipacks. One question that often gets asked when using PTFE tape is; exactly how much tape should you use on a typical joint? g. changed a tap chances are that at some point you will have come across some PTFE tape wrapped around a given joint and possibly wondered why it was there.

PTFE tape is a valuable addition to anyone’s plumbing tool arsenal and can be used to quickly and easily resolve a great many problem leaks with the minimum of hassle, however when using PTFE tape you need to ensure you’re using the correct type of tape for the appliance or system you are working on. Red Teflon tape is triple the density of white tape, designed for pipes of ½ to 2 inches in diameter. Thanks to its unique construction, when used properly, Teflon tape can prevent plumbing leaks by filling the threads of pipe connections. Robustly resistant to pressure, which makes it suitable for fuel injection systems and other high bar applications. Aside from its common use as a sealant for water-based plumbing applications, PTFE tape can also be used for gas and fuel oils.

The most comprehensive and detailed guide on how to troubleshoot and fix any problem your electric water heater may have. Ensure joints are clean, dry and free from any debris: Once you have cleaned off all the major crud and debris from your joints ensure they are fully dry as the presence of any moisture can cause leaks. One final very important point to be aware of is that you can indeed use both PTFE tape and also Plumbers Mate or another similar jointing compound together for the best and most comprehensive sealing solution.

Just make sure the water is off, then unscrew the shower head and arm and wrap the male threads 2-3 times with plumber’s tape, then screw everything back together and test the shower. Not only is PTFE tape a fantastic sealant, due to the very low-friction nature of the tape it makes it very slippery which in turn makes it a fantastic lubricant on and around joints. Using a clean, lint-free wrag dust off any debris from in and around the threads of both sections of the joint.Unlike many common tapes that you would expect to be adhesive, PTFE tape isn’t to the touch, but instead it stretches slightly and sticks to itself to a degree allowing it to remain in place once applied to a given thread. This is ceratainly not the case at all and one that we have confirmed with pretty much all the major PTFE tape manufacturers.

One important point to note is that Plumbers Mate should not be used in any areas where is it exposed to pressurised water.One other point to note is that you should always use PTFE tape on the actual threaded male section of the joint and no where else, this is where it is designed to go.

The tape provides a buffer and an effective seal that stops water or gas from escaping the system via the threads of a fitting. Wrap PTFE tape around thread: With your joint fully cleaned and dried, now start wrapping PTFE tape.This PTFE tape comes pre-cut to a specific width and is then wound on a spool so you can decide how long your piece needs to be.