It makes assembly smoother, and can prevent pipes from sticking when you want todisassemble the joint.
What Is Plumber’s (Teflon) Tape?
This way, it won’t unravel while making up the joint.
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Clean the Pipe
Clean the male threads at the end of the pipe with a clean rag.
Keep the Tape Tight
Maintain tension on the tape so it wraps snugly around the pipe.
Work away from the end of the pipe, overlapping the tape as you go.
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Warning
Do not wrap the tape more than six times around a threading.
Excess program can cause hazards, prevent threaded pipes from joining, and cause bursting.
Smooth the loose end down over the threads.
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The pipe is now ready to go into the fitting.
It can be used on all standard metal and rigid plastic pipe materials.
Those fittings often have a gasket or O-ring to create a seal between the two pipes.
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Also, avoid using this threading tape on fluid power (hydraulic) systems.
Teflon tape is recommended for brass fittings, except when they come with a rubber gasket.
Never use Teflon tape under brass’s compression nut flare threads, or any other compression fitting bang out.
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Using both can overload the threads and affect the seal.
However, it can last for many years.
Plumber’s tape sticks because of the tension created by wrapping it correctly.
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Plumber’s tape can temporarily stop leaks, but the underlying issue should be addressed and fixed immediately.
Short-term inhalation toxicity of perfluoroisobutylene.
Smith LW, Gardner RJ, Kennedy GL Jr., Drug Chem Toxicol.
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1982;5(3):295-303. doi: 10.3109/01480548209041059.