How many of you use tape on compression threads?

[JeffH]

wrap telfon tape around the ferrel during angle stop installs? I'm taking a plumbing class (to much free time!) and the instuctor insists on it.

 

[Terry]

Nobody.

That could only cause leaks.
If you read the instructions with the compression stop, it will say light oil on the threads for the nut that snugs up the compression sleeve.

I removed this leaking stop. Terry Love

And this one on 9/29/2021

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Cass]

Your instructor has a theory and it is not a good one. Or he has always done it and has no idea why or if it helps.

 

[Leejosepho]

Some people use teflon tape just about everywhere for two reasons:

1) Pipe dope can make fingers messy -- tape has better PR;
2) They do not know which part of each part actually seals to the other.

Each has its place, but some places need (are are even better off with) neither.

 

[RioHyde]

I dont use teflon tape on compression fittings although I do put just a dab of pipe dope on the ferrule. It probably doesnt do much good, but it doesnt hurt and makes me feel better. Probably because the old timer I learned from always did that.

 

[Plumber1]

I'm an old timer and I don't need to to that.

 

[RioHyde]

you're not THE old timer I trained under either....he's gone over the rainbow to meet Dorothy and Toto

 

[hj]

tape

No plumber would do that unless he is on a time and material job and wants to run up the time and/or he buys his Teflon tape by the gross. Your instructor probably wants unions installed in a certain orientation also. I ALWAYS open the container, take out the valve, put the valve on the tubing, and then tighten it. No oil, tape, grease, pipe joint compound, or anything else.

 

[Coz]

The answer should be Zero.

 

[Kordts]

I install them the way hj does. Your instructor is wrong. He is introducing something between the metal to metal seal.

 

[crossthreaded]

I was at home depot the other night and overheard the guy working there telling a guy that he needed to wrap the threads on the fitting with teflon tape to get it to seal up. I was nice enough to explain to him how the fitting works

we use the same fittings on nylon air lines in the heavy duty equipment field, they are holding back 100-125 psi of air pressure. I have installed thousands of them and have never put teflon on any part of them, and have never had any leak that were installed correctly. :two cents:

 

[Terry]

I'm like hj too.
I know that oil helps, makes it easier to tighten down.
I never have it handy anyway.

My plumbers don't either.
We just pull them from the box and throw them on.
And we install quite a few every week.

 

[SRdenny]

If you open one of Brass Craft's little boxes containing their stops, you'll find some written information which specifically states that pipe dope is not to be used on the ferrule and or nut.

 

[enochian]

Nevermind. Please delete post.

 

[Fitter30]

The seal is at the ferrule to tubing and ferrule to fitting body. Tape isn't necessary.