Teflon tape is used to reduce the risk of leaks when connecting metal pipes along plumbing or fuel lines. Wrapping one pipe’s male threads in tape creates a smoother surface with more lubrication, thus allowing it to reach further into the second pipe’s female threads. For extra assurance, liquid sealant can also be added to the tape’s surface before connecting the two pipes. Although “Teflon” is technically a brand name that is now used universally much like Band-Aid, any tape labelled “PolyTetraFluoroEthylene” or “PTFE” will suffice.
It also helps lubricate the connection, making the threading a bit smoother, and it helps to prevent pipes from sticking when you want to disassemble the joint. Plumber’s tape is very easy to use, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to apply it.
Correct Use
The trick to getting plumber’s tape right is to wrap it around the pipe in the proper direction. When the pipe is turned into the fitting, the friction of the mating threads should work to tighten the tape around the pipe, rather than work against it and unravel or ball up the tape. Therefore, you wrap the tape around the pipe in the same clockwise direction of how the pipe will turn into the fitting. This way, it won’t unravel while making up the joint.
The trick is to wrap the tape in the opposite direction that the pipe is to turn. Follow these steps for the proper usage of thread seal tape:
Step 1
Wash the threads. Wipe them with a cloth. Remove dirt, grime, or any other materials that may impede a tight connection. Clean both the male threads of one pipe and the female threads to the other.
Step 2
Place the end of the thread seal tape on the second thread from the end of your pipe and keep it stationary with your finger.
Step 3
Begin wrapping the pipe in the opposite direction the pipe will turn, keeping the tape tense so that you can wrap it tightly onto the threads.
Step 4
How many times the thread seal tape will go around the pipe depends on the thickness of the tape, but for the standard variety, about five or six wraps should be enough for the job.
Step 5
When done, simply grip the tape tight and give it a strong tug. Simply smooth out the remaining loose tape onto your pipe, and you are done
Related Questions:
Can too much Teflon tape cause leaks?
If you use too much Teflon tape, this can crack the female adapter, leading to a leaky fitting. On the other hand, if you don’t put enough, the pipes can also leak. Expert plumbers advise to use just the right amount – not too much, not too little, even if it’s easier said than done. Our tip is to always inspect your work to ensure that you have tightly covered the entire length of the threads evenly and consistently.
How many times should Teflon tape be wrapped?
Typically, 2 – 4 wraps of thread seal tape are sufficient but, you also want to make sure you are giving your wraps a nice, tight tug. After hand-tightening, you can use channel locks (or something similar) to tighten further.
Pipe dope plus Teflon tape prevents leaks in water pipes
A master plumber shares his simple secret to prevent leaks:
back up pipe joints wrapped with Teflon tape by dabbing them with pipe dope.
Grab a brush full of pipe thread sealant and wipe it right on top of the Teflon tape. Then assemble the fittings.
Wrapping Teflon tape around pipe threads to create a seal is standard procedure for DIYers. But it’s not foolproof. Burrs inside the female fitting can catch the tape and roll it around. The leak will only show up after you’ve finished the job and turned on the water. At that point, you’ll have a mess on your hands, cutting and refitting pipes.
Go ahead and wrap Teflon tape around the male threads just like always. Then add pipe thread sealant. The pipe thread sealant will fill any gaps caused by tape failures. It’s cheap insurance against a leak.
Required Materials for this pipe thread sealant Project
• Pipe thread sealant (pipe dope)
• Teflon tape
