I did not know joint compound has 2 year of shelf life - so if its going to leak - it will leak right away?

[Curiousv]

I used pipe joint compound to assemble tub+shower faucet fittings
now I realized - Oatey great white pipe joint compound I have used has 2 years shelf life
and I don't know how to read the mfg date but I am sure its more than 3 years old

Can someone tell me how to read date code - there is nothing on bottom ..so it has be on label

Also - sometimes even after shelf life expiry date - stuff is still good so how do you judge if this dope is still good or not?

So now am worried if it will leak ..so wondering if its going to leak it will leak right away or it may leak after 3 months of 6 months or more?

Since I used joint compound - I used cheap white Teflon tape with it so should I be worried ? @Terry @jadnashua @Jeff H Young @Whitall @wwhitney @Afjes

 

[hj]

No. I used joint comound as long as it was liquid and NEVER used tape with it.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Weekend Handyman]

I am not a plumber or a pro.

My understanding is that the joint compound works by lubricating the threads, thus letting you get the fittings tight enough to to seal.

I would be very surprised if it was to leak after the fact.

 

[Jeff H Young]

I didn't know there was an expiration date. If its still the right consistency and not dried up then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Curiousv]

No. I used joint comound as long as it was liquid and NEVER used tape with it.

Thanks - but if its going to leak - will it leak right when I turn on water to it or it can happen after some time?

 

[Curiousv]

I didn't know there was an expiration date. If its still the right consistency and not dried up then I wouldn't worry.

No its not at all dried up..-- but just in case this is expired and its faulty - leak will happen right away or it can take some time?

 

[Jeff H Young]

2 year old dope is still good forget about it!

 

[Jadnashua]

Pipe dope or PTFE tape works on a tapered pipe thread by filling in between the threads. As long as it's still a paste, it should work. As it ages, it might separate, and may require mixing well before you do it to get the consistency right...like paint, the solids can fall to the bottom, and require things to be mixed well to work.

As was said, if it's dried out, it probably isn't any good.

If your joint is good or bad, you'll know it when you turn the water back on.

 

[Curiousv]

Pipe dope or PTFE tape works on a tapered pipe thread by filling in between the threads. As long as it's still a paste, it should work. As it ages, it might separate, and may require mixing well before you do it to get the consistency right...like paint, the solids can fall to the bottom, and require things to be mixed well to work.

As was said, if it's dried out, it probably isn't any good.

If your joint is good or bad, you'll know it when you turn the water back on.

Yes it is still same consistency as I as new
Well I want to clarify ..something
U said joint is good or bad - u would know right away - but we hear some cases they leak after few months/years - it is because of cheap paste/tape or something else?

 

[Terry]

Normally if the joint is assembled well, it's fine even without dope.
In olden times, a bar of soap was used to lube the threads on galvanized pipes.

 

[Jeff H Young]

I wouldn't know about screwing pipe together dry with no dope or tape I suppose soap would be a last resort but I never tried just dry with no help

 

[Terry]

I wouldn't know about screwing pipe together dry with no dope or tape I suppose soap would be a last resort but I never tried just dry with no help

When my mother helped my grandfather add plumbing to their home in the early 30's, that's how they did it. He was a lawyer, district attorney, superintendent of schools and a farmer. His family had come from Riverside California and then went to Alaska for the gold rush there. Settled back in Seattle for a bit, and then other parts of the state.

On the left is my uncle Dana Packard, who became a union plumber. Worked on high rises and also Point Barrow Alaska. My brother Clare worked with him in Anchorage after the earthquake getting the sewer and water lines repaired in the streets.
My mother is holding the dog there.

 

[Weekend Handyman]

Normally if the joint is assembled well, it's fine even without dope.
In olden times, a bar of soap was used to lube the threads on galvanized pipes.

Soap also works well on a screw head, when you hit a knot in a stud. I have seen knots stop a drill dead, add a little soap (or dish soap) and it goes through like butter.

 

[Terry]

Soap also works well on a screw head, when you hit a knot in a stud. I have seen knots stop a drill dead, add a little soap (or dish soap) and it goes through like butter.

Yes, we use soap on screws sometimes. Also wax rings for that too. Drag the screw over a toilet wax ring and watch the screw sink right into the wood.
Homeowners tend to have bars of soap handy too.