AKORD 12mm x 12m Water White Plumbers PTFE Thread Seal Tape Plumbing Joint, 12mm x 0.075mm

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Thanks to its unique construction, when used properly, Teflon tape can prevent plumbing leaks by filling the threads of pipe connections. Without it, you could end up with a mess on your hands.

Wrap PTFE tape around thread: With your joint fully cleaned and dried, now start wrapping PTFE tape. Starting at the open end of the joint come in 1 – 2 threads (as any stray debris from the tape won’t then spill into the open end of the joint) unwrap the PTFE tape from feel and flatten it out, removing any creases and lay over the thread. Wrap the tape around the thread overlapping each layer of tape by a half until you reach the opposing end then snap the tape off and run the loose end down around the threads Teflon tape is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. That’s a mouthful, so it’s called PTFE for short. 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. A few wraps of thread sealant tape is all it takes to make a leak-free connection! If you follow these steps, you’ll find that Teflon tape is a breeze to use and does its job well. Don't let your plumbing give you the winter blues! We will show you how to prevent your plumbing from freezing and how to thaw frozen pipes.

What is PTFE or Sealant Tape

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. Use a lint free cloth to remove any remaining dust and moisture and for a fine clean a can of compressed air (also known as an air duster) can blow away and remaining dust or moisture As we have discussed above, PTFE tape can be used on pretty much any domestic water-based plumbing system to help prevent the potential of any future leaks forming. It can also be used to help seal up fuel systems that include oil, petrol and diesel and also with gas systems, but you have to use the correct PTFE tape specifically for use with gas. 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. PTFE tape works by sealing and filling any gaps in the threads, no matter how minute they may be, that can cause a joint to leak. PTFE tape is more of a preventative measure employed to help minimise the risks of any leaks forming in the future.

When wrapping PTFE tape around a thread each revolution or layer should over lap the last one by roughly a half to ensure a good seal. We have had, over the years, individuals and even some professionals comment that PTFE tape can also be wrapped around olives in compression joints as this will help to create a water tight seal. This is ceratainly not the case at all and one that we have confirmed with pretty much all the major PTFE tape manufacturers. How Much PTFE Tape Should you use?Use plumber’s tape to seal male pipe fitting threads. Male pipe fittings are the pieces that screw into another piece, which is called a female pipe fitting. Always put plumber’s tape on the male threads before screwing them into the female threads. [1] X Research source Take the end of your plumber’s tape and place it on the second thread from the pipe’s end. Hold it there with your finger or thumb. The tape should sit flat over the threads and not bunch up. Extend it perpendicularly to the length of the pipe. White Teflon tape comes in a single density. It’s made for water pipes that measure ? inches or less. You can also find it in silver color, on occasion, which is made to match the color of the pipe. Red Tape Apply plumber’s tape to shower head and arm connections to seal them. Shower heads and arms, which are the metal tubes that shower heads attach to, are another area that tend to have problems with leaky connections. Make sure to wrap all the male threads on new shower heads and shower arms 2-3 times with plumber’s tape before screwing them together. [7] X Research source Keep tension on the tape, ensuring that it is snugly wrapped around the pipe. As you overlap the tape, work gradually away from the end of the pipe to completely cover the threads.

In this DIY guide we take a look at PTFE tape and find out how exactly how to use it correctly. What is PTFE or Sealant Tape Don’t use any more than 3 layers of PTFE tape on a given joint as this can cause leaks Which way do you Wrap PTFE Tape on a Joint? Although it may seem that you can use PTFE sealant tape with pretty much any water, fuel or gas system, this isn’t quite the case however as pretty much all compression fitting manufacturers recommend it should not be used on any form of compression joint. With a compression joint, the watertight seal is created when the compression nut is tightened down. Introducing a substance such as PTFE tape into this can actually in some cases cause create leaks! When selecting a pipe sealant for use on hot and cold domestic plumbing systems in the UK ensure it is safe for use by confirming it conforms to BS 6956-5:1992.Pull the tape tight to break it and separate the roll from the tape on the pipe. Pinch the tape between the pipe threads and the roll tightly between your fingers. Pull it to stretch and tear the tape. Press any excess tape tightly onto the threads. [5] X Research source Chemical inert, so it won’t react with other elements. That makes it ideal for applications where solvents, gases, or acids may be lurking. Cut off the excess tape on the remaining exposed threads at connections that you can see. This will keep your work looking extra-professional at shower head connections or exposed plumbing underneath pedestal sinks. Conclusion If you have ever done any plumbing work or worked on an existing water system in a home e.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. Keep the first two threads of pipe free of any PTFE tape. This will allow the pipe to engage the fitting and easily start your connection.