Thread locker or Teflon tape?

Question

Hello, I just finished installing new pipe and a water heater in an apartment I own (from SCRATCH - all the pipes, every single inch of them, were stolen for the copper). During the installation process, I dutifully put Teflon tape on all the threaded connections. Turned it on, leaks all over heck!

I asked an old-timer friend what to do, and he gave me a little tube of this stuff that looks like sick blue toothpaste, told me to dab it on the threads. I tried it, and no leaks.

But now I'm confused. I thought this thread lock stuff was an older technology. I thought if Darwin drew a chart of the Descent of Plumbing Technology, it would go something like this: Lead Pipes>galvanized pipe with lead solder>copper pipes with lead-free solder sweating>threads with thread lock>threads with Teflon>SharkBite.

Personally, I have no end of issues with Teflon. I always wrap it the wrong way, or too many times, or whatever. At least, if my leaks are any indication.

I guess what I'm getting at is, what do you all think? Do you prefer Teflon tape or thread lock? Did I make a mistake in hooking my SharkBite water heater hose to the water heater with thread lock?

Answer 1

As a plumber I can say that I use both; it depends on the application. I would trust a teflon based pipe dope over teflon tape any day because it gets squeezed into the threads. If you take apart a taped joint you will notice most of the tape gets pushed to the outside of the joint which isn't very effective. Any time I'm doing gas, boiler, steam or water piping I use dope. The only time I really use tape is on finished pipes like shower head stems, sink stops, and air systems. As far as the evolution of plumbing you're off the mark. Black iron is used extensively in plumbing for gas, sewer, and air. Supply is piped in copper and pex tubing. You can't beat a threaded or sweat joint, unless you're using pex, and shark bite is a last resort and home owner go to. I've only used it in when I was doing water at the bottom of a complex and couldn't get the water to stop running..so I couldn't sweat the joint. But now many plumbers use copper crimp fittings with a rubber o ring inside.



In summary...dope is the best

Answer 2

I have to agree with the other gentleman teflon doesnt usually leak unless you did one of three things



1.) put to little of it on

2.) put it on backwards and it backed off as you tightened it

3.) you crossthreaded the piece you were screwing on.



I've used pipelock as well also known as pipe dope and never had any issues with it as long as you didnt smother the pipe threads in it you should be fine as any inside the pipe will dissolve under constant bombardment of water and wash out. If your still a lil paranoid just run your taps for a little bit on full (max 20 mins) that should purge anything in there.



A good lil trick i found useful with metal piping is layering basically put a lil pipe dope into the threads then teflon tape the threads the right way (should be pretty obvious since the tape unfolds otherwise or bunches when threading it in) then add a lil pipe dope on top of the tape and thread it in. Make sure your nice and tight and you shouldnt have leaks for a loooooooooooong time if at all.



Hope that helps



BTW some pipe dopes are not recommended for pvc pipe threads so be careful when using them

Answer 3

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RE:

Thread locker or Teflon tape?

Hello, I just finished installing new pipe and a water heater in an apartment I own (from SCRATCH - all the pipes, every single inch of them, were stolen for the copper). During the installation process, I dutifully put Teflon tape on all the threaded connections. Turned it on, leaks all over...

Answer 4

It depends on what you find the easiest to work with. In the end, Teflon tape and pipe sealant both accomplish the same objective: no plumbing leaks.



I personally prefer Teflon tape. I wrap the fitting two to four times, stretching the tape slightly as I wrap and ALWAYS in the tightening direction of the threads. If you wrap it the other way, it will unravel as you tighten the coupling and the fitting will leak. That's the key!



It's your project. You decide.

Answer 5

For most of the jobs we do we use the liquid Teflon (pipe dope) and Teflon tape as we cannot take chances on a leak in, say, an attic mounted water heater. Thread Lock should only be used on screws & bolts as insurance against vibrating loose. Use the blue colored one for fasteners you might have to remove as it can be done with regular hand tools. The red Thread Lock is for permanent fasteners. If you do need to remove red Thread Locked fasteners most directions say to heat them to 650 F.

Answer 6

Threadlocker Tape

Answer 7

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Teflon tape should wrap in the direction of the threads (clockwise when looking at the end of the pipe). This is the same direction the threaded parts are going to tighten in. In this way the tape is held firmly on the threads and does not try to unravel as you tighten the joint.

Answer 8

Not sure why you would need threadlock, if you wrap the teflon the correct way and have clean connections to begin with you should not have a problem. Teflon should be wrapped clockwise, same way you are screwing the fitting in, if not it will bunch up upon threading and cause leaks.

Answer 9

Popeye is correct about the direction of the wrap, but I feel it does make a difference when installing the pipe into whatever female connection you're using. I've found that if you wrap counterclockwise the tape seems to come off, out of the threads, rather than to be pulled into the threads by the twisting action. Also, be sure to wrap it tightly down into the threads, don't just lay it on top of them.

Answer 10

Now you know why full time professional plumbers never use the teflon tape. ALWAYS go with pipe dope. Did you make a mistake....? NO. You just experienced a homeowners learning curve on plumbing repair. Congrats!