6 Plumbing Mistakes DIYers Make with Teflon Tape
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- Опубліковано 28 тра 2024
- Most DIYers don't even realize they're making these simple but impactful mistakes when using Teflon or PTFE Tape for plumbing. Learn how you can level up with these six tips! #plumbing #diy #mistakes
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00:00 Mistake 1 - Sealing the End
01:07 Mistake 2 - Wrapping In the Wrong Direction
02:35 Mistake 3 - Tape Where You Don't Need It
04:39 Mistake 4 - Loose Wraps
06:24 Mistake 5 - Not Enough Tape
08:09 Mistake 6 - Missing the Dope
09:27 Bonus Tips - Навчання та стиль
I am a Hong Kong resident. Here is the 1st city to use salty water(sea water) for toilet flushing. Some of the tube and device are made of plastic for the anti- rusty reason. For here local plumber, they recommend 30 warp, and rolling it thin at the front(loosening direction) while thicker at the screwing end(tightest end) . For me, I will roll like that but only5-7 warps. I understand that they do not want to re- do, so 30 warps as their practice. (partly due to the thickness of tape). As I said, some tubes and devices are in plastic(nPVC) , be watch-out if warping too much for cracking the screwing. Also, if with a rubber pad, we can consider it as water tighted enough, try without tape. If dropping, then fill the tape a little bit 6 rolling warps around.
Separate sewer pipes for toilet salt water drainage??
Using plastic is also as good as Teflon. Try it
Does the salt water keep your bowl clean?
@@Jason-gj1pu I am not sure the bowl meaning. The toilet set area containing those dirt? Or the flushing water container? I guess should be the 1st one. Basically, the salt flushing water is not so clean due to sometimes repairing of the supply pipe(which is underground and have to dig). So the container would with earth precipitated. But the bowl, (if I guess right) inner of the toilet is clean after flushing. When I look into some info that, there is not many places using sea water for flushing. Hong Kong flushing water actually was flitered and de-salt to a certain level. Still, we have to avoid metal valve for flusing. So, have to be plastic valve/ tap supplying flushing water... and pvc pipe applied.
Cool info, thank you
At last! Someone who uses Teflon tape and knows what he's doing. I just retired after 35 years as a plumbing / HVAC tech. So many of these You tubers don't know what they are doing.
Lest you think I leave without a criticism, he did not mention that you should always use paste dope on gas lines, never Teflon. It may be different in your jurisdiction, but the gas company does not allow tape dope here in Pennsylvania. He did show several instances where you ought not dope at all. That upped his cred with me. I will say, a light coat of paste on some troublesome compression fittings has gotten me out the door and on to the next job.
Right on
I never use ptfe on compression fittings, but a bit of paste acts as a sealant AND lubricant. Stops that annoying squeal as you tighten the nut. Here in the uk we can use tape on gas fittings, but it has to be the thicker 'one wrap' which only goes round once. Trouble is that it's hard to tell if someone's used the wrong stuff, so hardly anyone used it, and I'm not sure if you can even get it anymore.
Nils, you hit on one of the most important points when using Teflon tape. When you have a rubber seal, don't use the tape. I made that mistake so many times years ago when I started out as a contractor. You run the risk of not getting the fitting tight enough to seal against the rubber seal. Great video, as always, and I can't wait for your future videos.
Wouldn't teflon help with getting it tight since it is a lubricant? (7:35)
@@syriuszb8611 completely depends on how much you wrap the pipe. Years ago I would use tape on many of the plumbing lines only to have a small leak.
Not to mention how taping the threads of compression fittings is a red flag allowing anyone who knows better to question competence.
Simple rule: straight threads - no tape, tapered threads - use tape ( or dope). For high pressure helium fittings epoxy glue is applied to the threads as helium gas under pressure (~300 psi) will just about leak through anything except compression fittings or welded joints. To remove the fitting just heat the epoxy with a propane torch and it will allow you to undo the joint.
Totally true and something I had to learn with trial and error. If only this video was around 30 years ago 🤣
U r so articulate, such great speaking skill with amazing voice. Funny thing is, I find listening to u while watching is somehow very therapeutic, I can listen to u whole day every day 😂
freak
Thank you for all this information. You learn something new every day. Be safe.
For compression fittings on older pipes with a dent from previous install, I like to add rector seal to the stub out. Otherwise 50% of the time angle stop will leak.
Thank you for sharing these Plumbing Basics 101! After 30+ years in the medical field (Army Medic, Instructor, etc.,), I shifted my focus & started as an associate at a large retail home improvement store’s Plumbing section. Saving & Sharing this/these great easy to understand Plumbing Basics whenever possible. I carry Teflon tape w/me to give visual clarity to customers not as familiar with the what, why, how, etc. 🧡 it. 👩🔧👨🔧🧻🪈
Great instructional video. Thank you!
Good scientific explanation, video is not riddled with ads, straight to the point. Overall, it is great video.
Thank you. The first tip is especially important since teflon tape can leach PFAS into the water.
Thank you for all the info and tips 👍🙏
Great video, with important information, as usual. As a relatively new homeowner, I love this channel.
One method for applying PTFE tape that I learned years ago is to first tear off a small length of the tape long enough to wrap around the pipe several times. Twist it up long-ways, into a string, if that makes sense. Then wrap that string around the section of pipe you'll be taping, making sure it's seated down inside the threads of the pipe. Once that's in place, then apply the PTFE tape as normal like you explained. I learned that it gives a bit of an extra 'sureness' to the seal. I've always done it that way, since I learned it, but I'm not sure it's really necessary to do.
What's your opinion? It seems to be cool to just use the tape properly without the added step.
Good to clear up misconceptions. I tend to use the thicker yellow Teflon tape
Your videos are so excellent and informative. Thank you!
Thanks 🙏🏻really good tips. Appreciate your help 👊🏻
Thanks for the tips! Never thought I'd have some advice from the US to use it all the way on the other side of the globe to assemble some garden watering plumbing!..
Great info! Will try holding the tape that way next time.
Love DIYers, they keep me in business.
Boy it can be a headache cleaning up after the things people do, sometimes.
That makes no sense. People who don't diy would be more likely to call a plumber. Even if a DIYer messes it up they will only call a plumber once, the same amount of times they would have if they didn't try themselves.
@@Pinpadprompts Yes, but you can charge them more to teach them not to mess with things they know nothing about.
@@pobsdad mate water is wet and runs down hill. You can Google the regulations. Plumbing is the easiest least skilled trade (including painters and plasterers).
@@Pinpadprompts Yet so many people screw it up and flood their house. Or have a gas leak.
Many good tips. THX!
Great video and very nice of you to bring up Roger. I hope you understand the positive impact you have on people as well, because you have twice as many likes in one month as he does in three years plus more subscribers. As always, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I'm in my 60's and have done plumbing all my life (not professionally). I've never used teflon and dope together. I've used them separately but it's never crossed my mind that you could use them together. If I used dope, it's always worked alone and the first try. Probably after teflon had failed.
Thanks, that was 10 min well spent.
Excellent video Brother
I love tru-blu, I even use it for an inexpensive non-permanent thread lock for screws. It just takes a little bit longer to dry than expensive thread lock.
Good stuff. Thanks👍
Excellent vid--thank you. On thing not mentioned is how many wraps to use if one is using thicker Teflon tapes.
In my opinion people should learn to use plumbing flax and thread putty over teflon tape. It's a bit trickier but essentially follows the same principle but it's extremely reliable joint which you can even undo few rotations and it still wont leak. Works with water and pressurized air and despite what some people say in my experience it also holds glycol just fine.
teflon paste alone rules... the stuff never leaks and lasts forever. the tape just gets balled up into 1 spot. the paste is ALL you need.
Got it, thanks!
thanks... you have no idea what you did for me i was about to do a big mess thanks again
Great vid!
Hi Gary from the UK here, I'm a plumbing and heating engineer for way too long, on compression joints I put a smear of joint compound so the olive has something to seat against and don't over tighten the joint, if it needs a little nip up then you have a bit of wiggle room if you have a leak
Hey Gary, thanks for the info! Always great to learn from folks with tons of experience like yourself.
@@LRN2DIY thank you for that YES I do have a lot of experience in all aspects of construction if you need any help
Excellent tips AND I love your T-shirt ( I only measur once) So spot on.👍 Gotta find one.
Thanks! Links for the t-shirts are in the description, in our merch store.
That's pretty dope!
I use Milrose pink 3 turns pull and stretch into threads . Here’s a tip when screwing plastic threads into metal leave first three plastic threads naked and Teflon tape the rest .Helps prevent cross threading and yes I use plastic rated joint compound over the tape .
Thanks.
Now that I’ve watched the PEX pipe video. I understand the basic concept. It’s kind of like what’s used in automotive coolant lines and other things. I’m not sure if it’s any better or easier than PVC. Maybe it depends on what you’re used to.
good info
After watching this video, I now understand why my Teflon tape investment is paying higher dividends
Why is everything an investment?
He forgot one (and only) important fact...teflon tape does not seal. It merely helps reduce friction on pipe threads so that there is the tapered pipe threads are tight enough to seal on their own. The tape gets shreaded when pipe threads are tighten. That would seem obvious except for "professional" YT DIYers.
bingo ...if the threads are cut and formed right
Finally, someone who knows.
he literally did 7:40
I love the shirt!
I am very experienced because I wrapped hundreds of pipes. Stainless steel steam and water. I start the tape two threads from the end. Pipes are tapered. They seal as you tighten. I start with one wrap then as much as 3 or 4 at the back.
I also use the edge of the plastic roll and roll it over the threads to push the tape into the threads.
Germany uses strait pipes that don’t taper. They require string in the threads. I’ve done those too.
The thing about liquids sealers is THEY HAVE TO DRY 24 Hours. Read the label! Each product has a different cure time. Stronger sealers have slow dry time.
I love the shirt! My wife accuses me of that in the past!
I just use pipe dope. Stuff is awesome
All of this was good advice but one thing was wrong.. When wrapping the tape onto the pipe, the tape should start from BACK to FRONT of the threads in a clockwise motion., stopping just short of the end of the pipe.. This lets the tape overlap itself allowing the tape to flatten and seal itself as you tighten the joint... If you start at the front going back to the pipe, the overlaps can get caught on the fitting and get pushed off the remaining layers, possibly creating a leak situation..
6 or 7 wraps is way too much all you need is like three or four ... Too many wraps will cause the tape to tear in places and it will cause it to leak once it gets 200 lb of pressure on it because that's what most municipal water companies use and if you ain't got no pressure regulator it's gonna blow ,,.... Yes I'm a retired plumber did it for over 42 years
Ya this guy needs a UA-cam video on how to wrap a pipe . 7 wraps is what a rookie would do lol
Waffler
He read it right off the package. Do you watch these helpful videos just to judge people for not doing things the way you do? Go find something else to do.
55 to 60 psi city water pressure max. Common! 200 psi ? No sir
55 to 60 psi city water pressure max.
Your shirt cracks me up. :)
#6 was dope, yo.
Another little tip...
After you break your tape you can use the spool to press the tape into the threads to hold until ready for the fitting by placing spool edge on first thread and spinning around two-three threads to press the tape in. It will hold until needed.
Help full video
That blue dope is the best thing ever.
100% right on not applying teflon tape on first thread. Years ago we had a plumber install teflon tape extending past the threads damaging two chemical pumps.
Lol. I love the shirt!
thanks
I am from india
Very good tips bro
Man, you are a genius😂
I think another mistake is using the wrong thread tape for the fluid passing through the conductor. I don't think PTFE is recommended for gas piping. I don't know what it's made of, but I know that it is yellow instead of white, so that it is easily distinguished.
I checked the data sheets for a couple of different thread tapes for natural gas, propane etc. One white and one yellow. They were both made from PTFE. The temperature range was higher than that of the tape for regular water installations so it's probably some different formulation of PTFE, maybe with some fire retardant additive too.
Teflon, when burned emits toxic fumes. Never breathe in fumes from burning teflon tape. @@skunkjobb
The colour is irelevant, but there are PTFE bands made specifically for water, gas, high temperatures etc.
Thanks for that. I was just taught to use the yellow, but didn't actually know why. Now i have a better understanding and that's what it's all about.@@skunkjobb
Same tape I think, color just helps identify.
Nice handy tips.
Thanks for sharing❤
Love the Ron Swanson art there 😅
Another great video. But I have to admit, a lot of this is common sense. I only use 3 wraps and I have never had a problem. I think anymore wraps is wasteful. Just recently I used this to fix a plastic hose coupling that had stripped and so I wrapped it and stopped the leaking. This saved me money. I would advise you to cut the tape instead of snapping it off because it's a pain to start the next wrap with a string of tape.
A lot of things seem simple or obvious once you know it. At the end of the day people only know something if they've been taught, or went and learned it themselves
@@LamboGallardo560 If you think about the tool and how it's designed, you should be able to figure out how to properly use it. Tape is not that complicated.
Common sense is not common.
I have run into bad threads on chinese made pipe that required more wraps to seal the threads.
@@bigmacdaddy1234 This comment demonstrates how common sense is by definition "common", but it may not be up to the standard I would like it to be.
Tape and dope always!
Did you know there is one code in the building code that doesn't allow you to use tape and dope together? In Fire Sprinkler fittings. According to NFPA 13D, you cannot use tape and dope together when using fire sprinkler fittings. Otherwise, on any other application, you can use both.
@GoodlyEarth
True, good thing I'm a plumber and not a sprinkler fitter!
@@briana3544 I will say I was surprised when I was getting ready to take my Fire Sprinkler Inspector exam and read that code. Completely caught me off guard. No worries, though, since most residential fire sprinklers in my area are CPVC piping, so no worry about inspecting threaded fittings.
Sprinkler installers use a product called super dope, it is similar to loctite. This isn't good though for plumbing applications@@GoodlyEarth
Pink tape (and now, gray as well) is thicker and requires fewer wraps. I have frankly not used white skinny stuff for years.
I was introduced by a friend of mine that is a plumber and he uses green Teflon tape exclusively. It gives him virtually no call backs with leaks.
Green is to identify oxygen pipes and does not contain any petroleum products in its chemical makeup. Using it on pipes which are not oxygen lines can cause confusion and could lead to misidentifying the lines. Never do this. Yellow is for natural gas pipes . The colors have a meaning and in some places you can be fined for misuse (similar to wiring with wrong color wires as to hot, neutral and ground wires). You could be held legally responsible if someone gets hurt from mislabeling in wrong tape or wire colors.. Caution to this point for sure!
I concur with this viewer. Colors have a reason, swapping them around can lead to misidentifcation of pipe lines.@@mrstanskaggs1
@@mrstanskaggs1 this comment is misleading. Using green Teflon for different applications is perfectly fine. You can use if for oxygen, air, inert gas, or water just fine. Basically if you use the green it will be fine for most, if not all situations. If you fail to use green on an oxygen system, it can result in fire and you can be held liable if the cause of the fire is investigated. NEVER use teflon coloring to label or identify a system. This advice is wrong. Over 10 years in the oil and gas and electric industry. Using green Teflon will never get you in trouble. However, it’s less pliable and harder to work with. Improper labeling can cost you your job or your life.
@@mrstanskaggs1 "Green is to identify oxygen pipes and does not contain any petroleum products in its chemical makeup."
Yeah no. That is not true at all. SOME brands do that for SOME of their products in SOME regions - but in general that is just wrong.
The pipe dope/tape fills the void between crests and roots of the threads and lubricates the thread faces. It flows into place when compressed also filling common imperfections -- reduces need to over-tighten.
2:54 the one exception to this is maybe a shower head. But the tape isn’t for water sealing, it’s to make the treads tighter so it doesn’t loosen with daily adjustments.
I've always known the tape is not for sealing but have never heard AnyOne say that.
It lubes the threads letting them get tighter for the same amount of 'twist'
'good man 😎
*While rubber seals will melt during soldering, teflon tape will not burn and is not affected by the heat of sweating or soldering a fitting.*
All of his training was done on a connection that was out in the open but I wish he had covered tricks to wrapping connections that are in very tight spaces that might be barely wider than your finger. I don't have a good way to do it. Usually, I tear off a short length and try to use two fingers to wrap the piece and then do it again with a second and maybe a third piece. Finally, I force the tape into the threads by rubbing my finger over the threads, to force the tape into the threads. There is no good way to start with a long piece because usually static cling makes the tail get folded over on itself. It's generally a frustrating mess.
I had some luck with spooling the tape on a pencil/toothpick/allen key first and then transfering like you would usually.
@@mobuildsstuff Thank you very much for your comment. I'll try that next time i'm in that situation.
When Wrapping Plastic(PVC) Fittings DO NOT WRAP MORE THAN 3X or Your Fittings May Crack.
Definitely do not wrap 6 to 7 times around.
I was taught to always start the Teflon tape at the end of the thread that's furthest away from the opening. That way the overlaps don't face the fitting as it is screwed on.
Tape will also help align/clock the position of elbows and angled valves with more or less wraps.
I like the Robert Goulet picture in your shop...
I've been a plumber since the '70s, and I've never seen a plumber put pipe dope on top of teflon tape.
...because a real plumber would never do this. It sounds like a good idea to a novice, but doesn't serve the intended purpose.
Just dope.
Excellent 👌 Most make these mistakes. Common sense really.
A couple things you didn't cover is using the white Teflon tape used for water on gas line which uses a different grade of Teflon, usually colored yellow. Other than that, you made me see a mistake I frequently make.
Good points. I thought about adding the tape colors and their uses but felt like the video was getting long so decided to leave that out. It's a great point though - use the right tape for the job.
Yellow is for water. What, you claim otherwise?
... see the problem there? The colours are irrelevant and depends on the brand and country.
@@ABaumstumpf white and blue are for water and yellow for natural gas
@@vincentgonzales8917 you might have learnt something if you were capable of reading. But like this it is just your wilful ignorance that is showing.
I was trying to find the manufacturers that says yellow is for gas ...do you have a link?
Except for digital kids today, that don't know what clockwise is!!
I think the simplest rule of thumb is that Teflon tape is only for tapered pipe threads. It lubricates the threads and then fills the microscopic gaps and imperfections between the threads as they are wedged tightly against each other. I can't see the logic of ever using it on a straight thread as there is never a point where it is compressed into a tight seal.
exactly! you got it right!
I mean i could kinda understand that if you are talking about 3rd world countries, but in general you should use tape and dope in conjunction. Anything else and a decent plumber would just mock you.
Tape won't make up for a bad o-ring, but it will prevent the nut from rusting onto the fitting. You could use silicone grease, but the tape is convenient.
Love your Shirt😅😅😅😅
Do you have a video on blowing out irrigation for winter?
Smallest compressor you can use? I've got an airmat blower, and another higher pressure one for dusting, probably not enough but maybe...
Or just get a pro to do it?
I would highlight the types of tape, because you have regular plumbing tape, but you also have gas/propane, coolants, or high temp tapes
No one ever told me to wrap clockwise, but I always have. I just make sense.
Many don’t realize that pipe threads are tapered. (NPT=National Pipe Taper)
Tightening threads is akin to driving in a wedge. Teflon is a lubricant as well as a sealer. It just seals what isn’t wedged solid.
Missed one important "mistake" -- use the CORRECT Teflon Tape for the purpose. The white is for basic water line work. I also use it on bolts (see below). They make "Yellow" tape for fuel (Gas, Oil, et cetera); they make "Green" for Oxygen Lines.
I do go clock wise BUT im thinking if put on properly tight it would probably be fine
Does this also apply to LPG?
Pipe dop ok for fresh water pipes?
While threading on fittings is it advisable to reverse (or unthread) a little (say 20-45 degrees) a fitting sealed with teflon to fit and match the install??
It's crazy how many resources people have available in the States for DIY. Machines and products for everything.
How do I know when to use pipe dope? From the comments, they seem to say either use tape or dope but not both, which contradicts the video. My suspicion is that dope is needed in higher pressure situations, but I am not sure at what pressure that is required. Maybe I should look on the box that came with my PTFE/Teflon tape but I can't find it at the moment.
From my research and in talking to plumbers, everyone seems to have different opinions on this but one thing that makes a lot of sense to me is that if you're making connections that will be very difficult to access later on, use pipe dope or tape and dope. Underground and in -all, especially. For exposed and easy to access areas like under a sink, teflon tape might be sufficient. It seems like if you ask ten people about this you'll get ten answers but I wanted to bring awareness to the fact that you have options and sometimes tape by itself isn't the best solution.
Only advantage tape has is being less mess.
wouldn't hurt to mention PTFE is available in different thicknesses, which will effect how many wraps would be appropriate.
The compression fitting rings are referred to as olives in the uk.
I use Loctite 55, never had a problem since start using it
In a pinch, original Gorilla Glue works too! Needs to sit an hour or 2 before pressurizing so no good for plumbers in a hurry.
"Three times a lady"--haha
I was told long ago the main reason for tape or dope is for when the time comes to fix it !!! It comes apart !!! It sure is nice to see tape or dope around the fitting instead of rust !!! When going into, fix it mode !!!
Teflon tape is also great minced in omelets for a perfect nonstick flip. Dont go overboard on pipe dope filling though.
Thread seal tape AND pipe dope?? That had never occurred to me! I've really gotten away from teflon tape, and almost always only use pipe dope anymore...
In some cases, you may need to add linen thread to the pipe dope, particularly in case of very loose fitting threads. You can see this in the case of some non-tapered fittings (more common in Europe).
Quite useful information. Thanks for sharing experience. Regards
At 3:59 I'm glad you're not my boss 😂
Can an automotive anti seizing lubricant be used in plumbing thread to avoid mineral buildup on the thread and easy removal later?
How do you seal those Rubbermaid stock tanks? I find them leaking all the time.
how long for the pipe dope to seal/dry.. real question..how long before turning water back on? Thanks in advance..