How to use Teflon tape correctly?

[cactusman]

I just have a quick question....
I know the proper direction to wrap Teflon tape. I really don't know how many times/wraps of Teflon tape is correct.

I have seen where you wrap the threads with 4 wraps/revolutions of Teflon tape. I have seen where you do more and where you do less.

I also know not to wrap Teflon tape beyond the first thread to ensure Teflon debris does not contaminate the connection. I typically wrap from the second thread.

So, what do the pros say? what are the correct rules of wrapping Teflon tape around pipe threads?

As with many products I'm sure all Teflon tape are not the same. What is the best stuff out there?

I have been using the Harbor Freight brand where you get ten or twenty rolls for almost nothing.

How come Teflon tape does not come with instructions?

Cactus Man

[westcoastplumber]

I just have a quick question....
I know the proper direction to wrap Teflon tape. I really don't know how many times/wraps of Teflon tape is correct.

I have seen where you wrap the threads with 4 wraps/revolutions of Teflon tape. I have seen where you do more and where you do less.

I also know not to wrap Teflon tape beyond the first thread to ensure Teflon debris does not contaminate the connection. I typically wrap from the second thread.

So, what do the pros say? what are the correct rules of wrapping Teflon tape around pipe threads?

As with many products I'm sure all Teflon tape are not the same. What is the best stuff out there?

I have been using the Harbor Freight brand where you get ten or twenty rolls for almost nothing.

How come Teflon tape does not come with instructions?

Cactus Man


this is for all DIY-ERS:):D:):):)
http://video.about.com/homerepair/Replacing-A-Showerhead.htm

[drtyhands]

this is for all DIY-ERS:):D:):):)
http://video.about.com/homerepair/Replacing-A-Showerhead.htm
Aww Man,now I gotta get me some scissors.Does Ridgid make a pair.
I love watching people use tape with the spool upside down,Ask someone to wrap a case of 1.5 nipples using her technique.

[drtyhands]

I'm sorry cactusman,You asked a question.I usually go three to four sometimes five depending on variables.Then (set) the teflon by squeezing with thumb and forefinger while rotating the pipe clockwise,to get the tape deep in the valley of the threads.

[PLUMBER RICK]

well i just had a long winded post and joey knocked me:eek: off and i lost it.

basically teflon is a product of dupont. it comes in different mil thicknesses and different widths. 1/2'' being the most popular, 3/4'' and 1'' typically used too on larger piping.

the basic color is white and yellow is typically used on gas. makes no difference as it's just a thicker mil and color coded yellow.

4-6 wraps are great. just don't back off a tightened fitting or you will probably leak. don't overlap the end of the pipe, especially on gas.

don't allow the tape to fray, especially on the cheap stuff.

well the rest is in the toilet now, thanks mrs. seat down:(

rick.

[ToUtahNow]

this is for all DIY-ERS:):D:):):)
http://video.about.com/homerepair/Replacing-A-Showerhead.htm

Wow that was horrible!

[BILLG]

this is for all DIY-ERS:):D:):):)
http://video.about.com/homerepair/Replacing-A-Showerhead.htm gee whiz, I wish I had and could weild a chrome plating antiquing pliers as proficiently as her.

[acemery]

As with many products I'm sure all Teflon tape are not the same. What is the best stuff out there?Otey makes a great tape. It's pink and thick, but it aint cheap. Worth every dime, though.:)

I have been using the Harbor Freight brand where you get ten or twenty rolls for almost nothing.That's about all the stuff's worth.:(

[plumberscrack]

this is for all DIY-ERS:):D:):):)
http://video.about.com/homerepair/Replacing-A-Showerhead.htm

I counted no less than 10 things she did wrong in that 90 second video :confused:

Why did the NEW showerhead have channelock marks all over it? :eek:

Ami is hot! hot! hot! ;)

[Gene Bickford]

How low is that shower head anyway? Must have to sit down to wash your hair.

[HVAC HAWK]

where can you watch a female in the shower and doing plumbing

i like that the pliers were the wrong way to take the old head off and how easy it was to come off.
and she only wrapped it 1 1/2 times to.

and I'm 6'4" so i would have to take a shower on my knees:eek::eek:

[drtyhands]

How low is that shower head anyway? Must have to sit down to wash your hair.
was she standing on a piece of plywood across the tub:cool:

[freddy]

You see guy, this is my point with flat rate.:rolleyes: The male customer gets eye candy to look at, and knows what this will cost him before the job is started. Makes no difference if it takes her all day!!!! Same great price.:D:D
Now she has the customer attention, she can add on the price ticket raising the shower arm up. $$$$ And they thought all they needed was a new shower head.:D;);):D

[drtyhands]

Of course she can take all day,when she charges $285.00 to change a shower head.

Thank you for making my point for me again;)

Why do you guys keep bringing up the shower head,I know Hawk and Josh need one coming out of the ceiling but that one isn't that bad.

[ToUtahNow]

Why do you guys keep bringing up the shower head,I know Hawk and Josh need one coming out of the ceiling but that one isn't that bad.

I see your point. She looks to be about 5'2" so I am guessing that shower head is set at about 4'10" then take away 4" for the shower arm and it is perfect for Billy Barty sized people.

Mark

[PLUMBER RICK]

in my view, she was on the apron, on a stool. they never showed a wide angle.

typically a head was ruffed in at 5'10'' to fit inside of the fiberglass walls of the tub/ shw.

truthfully, i was really shocked that a real pro didn't review the show prior to airing. what a joke of an example. between the pliers being used backwards, to the lack of teflon, using siccors, ect. i think we need a review committe to approve this show.

even tim allan was more realistic and his show was a comedy:D

rick.

[ToUtahNow]

even tim allan was more realistic and his show was a comedy:D

rick.

:eek: It was?

[freddy]

I really think amy in the last few seconds of the clip show what most people think about plumbers in general. That is, It ain't rocket science people. Sure she can inprove on her technic. But she sure is skilled at wipeing that shower pipe off. :D:D

[garager]

And they didn't show if it sprung a leak at the head.:D:D:D

She'd be good at a trade show...:eek::D

[Bogart]

"Wipe off any plumber's putty out of the threads?" They oughtta be ashamed of themselves. The horror, the horror.

[plumbdog10]

Am I the only one who finds it disturbing that the "hottest thread" for the last two weeks, and going on twenty posts is "How to use Teflon tape correctly"?

[freddy]

Am I the only one who finds it disturbing that the "hottest thread" for the last two weeks, and going on twenty posts is "How to use Teflon tape correctly"?

It was that dam westcoastplumber, that got us into a frenze with that video, plus we new if we kept commenting about it, you would be barking soon. :D

[PLUMBER RICK]

Am I the only one who finds it disturbing that the "hottest thread" for the last two weeks, and going on twenty posts is "How to use Teflon tape correctly"?

actually it was arrons job photos that set the servers on fire:rolleyes:

rick.

[plumbdog10]

actually it was arrons job photos that set the servers on fire:rolleyes:

rick.

There are members who want a pro's only forum. I guess we can discuss:

Application of pipe dope.

How to properley use a screw driver

How to use a pipe wrench

What the little lines between the inch marks mean on a tape measure.

This is quickly becoming a joke. A bunch of "so called plumbers" anylizing a tape of some housewife explaining the correct proceedure for installing a shower head. And there are morons citiqueing it.

I'm glad I work in the commercial area, and would never resort to residential.

[westcoastplumber]

I Mean't The Whole Thing As A Joke, I Thought It Was Funny As Heck, I Didn't Think It Would Be So Important, Remember, I Posted It To The "diyers" I Am Glad It Was Fun And Evoked Emotion:d Dog, I Will Have To Look For One On How To Properly Read A Tape Measure Or How To Install A Bead Of Caulk;)

[Bob D.]

While you are at it Robert, see if you can find a video of how to correctly use a pair of ChanneLocks and send the link to Richard Trethewey of PBS's "Ask This Old House". He has trouble remembering which way to position them and also when to NOT use them. Sometimes he even forgets and calls ChanneLocks a pipe wrench. I watched him void the warranty on his pipe wrenches the other day using a length of 1-1/2 as a cheater on the handle of a 14" (hopefully RIDGID) pipe wrench. You'd think if they needed to add a little persuasion they would do it off camera huh?

[westcoastplumber]

Thats just great. I think it would be a good idea for these networks to pay a professional for his opinion, but then again, if that happened, we wouldn't have as much fun as we do:D

[brittyboy]

the tv plumbers are playing to the camera, and goofballs to boot!

[DuckButter]

I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat.

[Kraze]

well i just had a long winded post and joey knocked me:eek: off and i lost it.

basically teflon is a product of dupont. it comes in different mil thicknesses and different widths. 1/2'' being the most popular, 3/4'' and 1'' typically used too on larger piping.

the basic color is white and yellow is typically used on gas. makes no difference as it's just a thicker mil and color coded yellow.

4-6 wraps are great. just don't back off a tightened fitting or you will probably leak. don't overlap the end of the pipe, especially on gas.

don't allow the tape to fray, especially on the cheap stuff.

well the rest is in the toilet now, thanks mrs. seat down:(

rick.

just reading forums to learn new stuff and quick question, what do you mean don't overlap the end of the pipe, especially on gas? not exactly following this:confused:

[PLUMBER RICK]

just reading forums to learn new stuff and quick question, what do you mean don't overlap the end of the pipe, especially on gas? not exactly following this:confused:

teflon will shred off if it's run past the end of the threads/ starting threads.

gas being low pressure will not flush out and will get stuck in the gas regulators, orfices, valves. not a good thing.

glad to see you're reading some old post. there is tons of good reading that goes back for years.

the best is when an old post is responded to 5 years later. just like last weeks electric tubing cutter thread:D

rick.

[Kraze]

teflon will shred off if it's run past the end of the threads/ starting threads.

gas being low pressure will not flush out and will get stuck in the gas regulators, orfices, valves. not a good thing.

glad to see you're reading some old post. there is tons of good reading that goes back for years.

the best is when an old post is responded to 5 years later. just like last weeks electric tubing cutter thread:D

rick.


ahh i c, good point! yeh I don't do things like work with gas lines much and probably safter that way, but it made me curious. Yeh i really enjoy reading forums, And I just found out who dog was by the guy(wagon somebody) who asked about how to solder a joint cuse it came loose in which Pcrack said it was only in 1/16 inch, and you suggested shark fittings. He was soo mad about the free advice...Kinda understand where he's coming from, but thats why these forums start. I give away free advice to people on yahoo answers all time. Glad I found this place, you guys seem cool and definitly is a great place to learn. But then again with it being 1:30 am where i am and bein on here all day im sure its going to be a waste of alot of my time when I shoudl be at the jobsite.
P.s. the wagon dude never did reply what he ended up doing, That would kinda aggitate me to a point.

Thanks for the Answer

Kraze..

[apf]

Hey Dog , I have always stated and voted on just one section for us contractors to discuss business . THe chat room is good but the timing is tough for some . But I say as long as it's a COMPLETELY open forum you are going to have to deal with mickey mouse redundant questions . Don't beat yourself up man .

[bigPipe09]

There are members who want a pro's only forum. I guess we can discuss:

Application of pipe dope.

How to properley use a screw driver

How to use a pipe wrench

What the little lines between the inch marks mean on a tape measure.

This is quickly becoming a joke. A bunch of "so called plumbers" anylizing a tape of some housewife explaining the correct proceedure for installing a shower head. And there are morons citiqueing it.

I'm glad I work in the commercial area, and would never resort to residential.


I found the thread pretty entertaining, if nothing else it started some harmless banter, which 90% of the people on the forum seem to enjoy participating in. I think a good rule is if you don't like the thread, quit reading. Better yet don't post in it just to point out how dumb it is. Maybe you didnt notice, (Though I'm sure you have) but every time you make a comment like that, it causes about 15 posts just like this one responding to it. So if you're SO concerned about the quality and content of the forum, keep the negative sh!t to yourself.

[Bogart]

There are members who want a pro's only forum. I guess we can discuss:

Application of pipe dope.

How to properley use a screw driver

How to use a pipe wrench

What the little lines between the inch marks mean on a tape measure.

This is quickly becoming a joke. A bunch of "so called plumbers" anylizing a tape of some housewife explaining the correct proceedure for installing a shower head. And there are morons citiqueing it.

I'm glad I work in the commercial area, and would never resort to residential.


Dog,
what does resorting to residential mean?

Bogart