Uses of Teflon Tape in Plumbing

PTFE Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) tape is a thin non-sticky white tape that comes on a spool and is used by plumbers to help make a suitable seal on pipes to prevent leaks. Yellow Teflon tape is used in gas applications to differentiate between the two basic types of Teflon tape.

Function

Teflon tape is mainly used to ensure a good seal on plumbing pipes. Since it is non-stick, Teflon tape can be removed easily or added to if the seal is not sufficient enough to stop leakage.

Types

Non-stick Teflon tape is but one type of Teflon-coated tape. There are available adhesive backed Teflon sheets as well as non-stick Teflon cookware and Teflon coated cables.

Features

Teflon tape is also known as thread tape and helps seal threads when part of the male fitting's threading is chipped, worn or missing.

Warning

LPG or natural gas application call for yellow Teflon tape to make a gas-tight seal to prevent accidental leakage of gas in the home or outside next to LPG tanks.

Size

Teflon tape comes in all widths and lengths for all leak-prevention applications on male-end threading. This makes a good seal that is unlikely to leak under normal circumstances.