Plumbers are amazingly talented people capable of doing a type of work most of us would struggle with. Specialized tools help them do that work. And some of those tools, like plumber’s tape, seem so simple that you wonder how they accomplish anything at all.
Yes, plumber’s tape is a real thing. To the untrained eye, it might seem too flimsy to be worth any value. But to an experienced plumber, plumber’s tape is indispensable. It is normally kept in ample supply so a plumber always has access to it when needed.
It’s Tape Without Glue
Many years ago, someone attempted to explain plumber’s tape to me as being like duct tape for plumbers. I accepted that explanation until I saw plumber’s tape for myself. It turns out that there is no glue on it. Plumber’s tape will not stick to anything on its own. So what is it?
Plumber’s tape is actually a Teflon tape. It is a thin, flexible strip of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that gets wrapped around the threads of a pipe before that pipe is attached to a female connection. The tape creates a watertight seal as long as it’s applied correctly.
Why use plumber’s tape? Because metal pipes do not always create a watertight seal on their own. It’s similar to the connections in a compression-style faucet. The metal parts that come together to stop water flow are not actually watertight. So there is a rubber washer between them. As the fitting presses down on the washer, it creates a watertight seal with the valve seat.
Plumber’s tape serves the same purpose when connecting threaded fixtures. You apply the tape to the male end and then connect it with the female end. The tape fills in the tiny gaps that would otherwise allow water to get through.
How Often Plumbers Use It
You might think that plumber’s tape is used sparingly. But that’s not the case, at least according to the experts at Beehive Plumbing. Beehive is a plumbing and HVAC contractor serving customers in the greater Salt Lake City area. They say plumbers use the tape whenever working with threaded pipe connections. Even the best fitting connections get plumber’s tape. Applying it is just standard practice.
Plumbers use the tape because:
- It Prevents Leaks – As already discussed, plumber’s tape prevents leaks by filling in the small gaps in metal threaded connections.
- It’s Versatile – plumber’s tape is pretty versatile as well. Not only can it be used on water lines, it’s also suitable for gas and air lines.
- It’s Available in Different Types – Manufacturers make different types of plumber’s tape for different applications. Plumbers can tell the difference by color. White is for general plumbing, for instance, while pink is for high pressure systems.
There is one caveat to using plumber’s tape: it is a one-and-done kind of tool. In other words, you can only use a strip of tape once. Another plumber coming along and disassembling your connection would have to use a fresh strip of tape when he puts things back together.
Plumber’s tape not being reusable isn’t a big deal. The stuff is cheap and really easy to use. Deploying it is as simple as snapping off a piece with your fingers and wrapping it around the thread. A good plumber can deploy a piece of tape in seconds.
A Priceless Tool
Plumber’s tape doesn’t seem like much to the average consumer. But to the plumber, it’s a priceless tool that deserves a prominent place in the toolbox. You would be hard pressed to find a plumber who doesn’t carry it with him daily.