Teflon Tape vs Joint Compound

Users who are viewing this thread

PaulHG

New Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Just a curiosity question from a total novice.
What little pipe work I have had to do I have always preferred teflon tape just because it was less messy --
But the guy at the Orange box recommende joint compound (RectorSeal 5) so I gave it a try.
Pretty much every joint I made with joint compound - leaked - and I went back and used teflon tape -- leak gone.
I am SURE part of the issue is user error --
But -- is one generally considered superior in making leak free connections?
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
Some plumbers use both. If applied properly and the connection is tightened enough and you (may have to) wait a little, either should work. With the tape, you should be able to open things up right away, I'm not sure about the pipe dope; have to read the instructions carefully.
 

Winslow

Plumber
Messages
445
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Hawaii
i use teflon tape for small joints (up too 1"). teflon paste on larger joints. It essentially does the same, but past is more practical on large joints.
 

Gary Swart

In the Trades
Messages
8,101
Reaction score
84
Points
48
Location
Yakima, WA
I used to use tape and had little problem, but to me, pipe dope is easier. True, it is a bit messy, but tape has to be wrapped just right or it doesn't seal. I know some use both, and that's their choice, but I like the dope alone.
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,600
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
compound

I have used dope alone for over 50 years and it has served faithfully. If you had problems it was user error. I only use tape for PVC threaded connections.
 

Cass

Plumber
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Ohio
hj- what compound do you like. Gasoila is my favorite but is a little pricy. It sticks to everything. Even hard to get off hands.
 

PaulHG

New Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Re HJ
Readily acknowledged - plumbing NOT my strong suit - :eek:
My guess is Jad is right - I didn't let it set enough.

Computer geek by trade -- cabinet maker by hobby.
General remodeler by necessity -
This particular project - kinda got backed into this project -
Started when my semi-significant other wanted a new tub surround
which became a new tub
which became reorient the tub -- TWICE
which became - how about a new tile floor.

Remind me again what I thought was so bad about living alone in an apartment.
 

Cass

Plumber
Messages
5,947
Reaction score
7
Points
0
Location
Ohio
There is no "set" time for 99% of most pipe dope.

The joint was not tight enough, too little or lousy pipe dope, bad threads or some combination of the 4.

Teflon tape has more bulk and fills the threads more.

My guess is not tight enough, thats why the teflon tape worked.
 
Last edited:

PaulHG

New Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Thanks Cass - that is a possibility too -
I had been warned - also by the guy at the orange box --not to OVERtighten and strip threads -
So I stopped at about a turn and a half past hand tight
 

hj

Master Plumber
Messages
33,600
Reaction score
1,037
Points
113
Location
Cave Creek, Arizona
Website
www.terrylove.com
joint

PaulHG said:
Thanks Cass - that is a possibility too -
I had been warned - also by the guy at the orange box --not to OVERtighten and strip threads -
So I stopped at about a turn and a half past hand tight

If the guy at the orange box store knew as much as he thinks he did, he would be out making money installing the pipes. There is no standard that says a turn and a half past hand tight is all that is needed. Who determines how tight "hand tight" is? Is it how tight a boy could turn it, or your wife, or a sumo wrestler? There is also no "set time." You apply it, tighten the joint, and then turn on the water. And the next joint that is "stripped" by overtightening will be the first one. It cannot happen. Other things can happen but only if you have a very large wrench or pull very hard on a small one, but by that time common sense should have kicked in so you would realize it is tight enough.
 

PaulHG

New Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
TOTALLY agree on the level of 'expertise' in big box stores (orange or blue or any other color)
I USUALLY ask straight out - if they have had exprience plumbing (or flooring or whatever I am asking help on) - RARELY some do -- most are honest enough to admit when they don't.
This time I took what he said at face value - although it DID sound kinda squirelly to me.
Sometimes its best to go with your gut -
Thanks for letting me know that this time -- I should have.
 

Cal

In the Trades
Messages
228
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Northern Virginia
Dope on some , tape on others . If I'm going to be heating a joint,ONLY DOPE.

Things like shower arm threads or pvc tape.

My boring 2 cents

Cal
 

gtfisher

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Question from a newbie here - does one use glue, putty, or nothing when fastening a toilet flange (4") to a 4" PVC pipe?

George
 

Jadnashua

Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
Messages
32,771
Reaction score
1,191
Points
113
Location
New England
A PVC flange must be glued to the pipe...prime it first to prepare the plastic (it cleans and etches it). It really is more of a solvent as it melts the surface, allowing the two pieces to mate, then when the solvent evaporates (really quick), the pieces are more welded together than merely glued. Sort of like putting together a plastic model from your youth...remember how messy that got and the fingerprints you left in the surface if you touched it with glue on your fingers?
 

gtfisher

New Member
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Jim:
A follow up question - when my plumber roughed in an upstairs bathroom for us, he provided what appears to be a 4" ID elbow for me to fasten my 4" (PVC-1 NIBCO) flange into. I find that fitting the flange into the elbow is a very tight fit that might not accomodate solvent glue very well. A force fit isn't good, huh?

George
 

PaulHG

New Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Leaking Flange seal

As mentioned earlier - my old outside sealing flange came off very easily
-It left a fairly rough surface on the pipe so I did my best to scrape off old solvent and sand it clean with some 100 grit -- before priming and cementing as described earlier. Replaced the flange with another of the same kind, filled the tank and flushed. -----
You guessed it --water sprayed all under the floor --
Apparently from around what should have been the flange seal -
- obviously not sealed.

Am hoping to get this flange I just put on - off without causing damage. --- -- and replacing it with a flange that seals to the INSIDE of the pipe where it is smoother hoping for a better seal.

Have also considered leaving it alone - and usig the Fluidmaster waxless seal that basicly lines the pipe and seals inside.

Question -
Any thoughts on the above ideas would be welcome
As would any suggestions to a better options than those I have in mind.
other suggestions on how to deal with a flange that is leaking where it seals to the pvc drain pipe?

Thank you again
 

Chassis

Engineer
Messages
340
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Location
SE Pennsylvania
I use both or existing pipe fittings that may have slightly damaged threads from years of use. Medium thick coating of paste, followed by a few wraps of tape.

For new fittings which I have installed, I use several wraps of tape.

Agree that for larger (over 2") fittings, paste is more practical. But for almost all homeowner type projects, tape is an option. I spent a summer as a pipefitter's helper. We threaded and welded all manner of black pipe from 3" to 8". All we used was paste. Welding rod works good too! ;)
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks