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How to Use Teflon Tape to Seal a Shower Head
by Adolph Ramirez
Learn how to use teflon tape to seal a shower head to the water pipe - free video.
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How to Apply Teflon Tape
by Robin Hewitt
Teflon tape is used in plumbing projects to ensure a waterproof seal at pipe connections. Invented in 1938 by DuPont, Teflon is the most slippery substance known to man, and for 40 years Teflon tape has been an invaluable tool for plumbers and homeowners. Though there is an ongoing dispute between those who favor liquid pipe glue and those who are fans of Teflon tape, all agree that Teflon wins hands-down when it comes to ease and cleanliness of use.
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How to Use Teflon Tape on a Water Heater Gas Line
by Kevin McDermott
Connections in gas lines are generally sealed using plumber's dope, a thick pasty substance that is wiped into the threads of the pipes to provide the seal when the fittings are tightening. Another option is teflon tape. The principle is the same as with the thin white teflon tape used in plumbing fixtures, except gas-line teflon tape is thicker and is yellow. It's generally acceptable for little projects like re-sealing a gas line to your water heater. Don't attempt it yourself, though, unless you've had a little experience with pipe fittings.
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Uses of Teflon Tape in Plumbing
by Victoria Ries
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.
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Plumber's Putty Vs. Teflon Tape
by James Dixon
While a single plumbing project might call for both plumber's putty and Teflon tape, you cannot substitute one for the other. Teflon tape gives a reliable seal on threaded pipe joints for liquids and gases that may be under considerable pressure. Plumber's putty acts as a flexible caulk in situations where you need water resistance---but it cannot withstand any significant pressure.
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How to Use Teflon Plumbing Tape
by Shelly Schumacher
The purpose of Teflon tape is to create a watertight seal in plumbing fixtures. It acts like a putty between two pipes by filling in any unwanted gaps in the connection. It's designed to be used on tapered, threaded pipes and comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses. Each is designed with a specific function in mind. Using Teflon tape takes a few moments to apply and can help prevent major leakage issues.
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How to Use Teflon Tape Properly
by Danny Donahue
Plumbing is the system of pipes and fixtures that carry water throughout a building for use and consumption and then out again as sewage. Plumbing systems are normally threaded metal pipes screwed together at their joints. Wherever two pipes are threaded together is a weak spot in the plumbing system. These weak spots were traditionally reinforced with "pipe dope", a thick paste that was painted onto the threads. Teflon tape is a quicker, cleaner, more efficient method of covering pipe threads.
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How to Wrap a Pipe With Teflon Tape
by Kevin McDermott
Teflon tape is a delicate white strip of filmy material that's used to wrap plumbing pipe ends before screwing on the fittings that will attach to the pipe. The tape coats the threads of the pipe and helps form a seal with the fitting to prevent leaks. It can be a little frustrating to work with, because it's so flimsy, but once you have a leak-free pipe, it will be worth it.
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How to Seal a Leaky Teflon Tape Joint
by Kevin McDermott
Correctly sealing plumbing pipe joints with Teflon tape takes some practice. You could easily use too much or not enough, or wind it the wrong direction. Or you could get the fitting cross-threaded as you when tightening the pipe. Any of those mistakes could cause leaking. But if you know how to do it, you should be able to avoid causing leaks.
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Pipe Compound Vs. Teflon Tape
by James Dixon
Both Teflon tape (generically known as polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE tape) and pipe compound provide an effective seal on pipe joints with National Pipe Taper threads. For metal joints, choosing between them will ultimately be a matter of personal preference. It is better to stick with tape for thread fittings on plastic pipe because it avoids the possibility of a chemical reaction between the compound and the plastic (but note that there are pipe compounds on the market that are safe to use with some kinds of plastics---read labels closely).
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