Plumbing Sealants and Tapes - How to Seal Hoses and Pipes

Apr 20
15:29

2008

Moses Wright

Moses Wright

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Article reveals the most important part of any plumbing project is getting the hoses and pipes sealed properly. This is sometimes not as easy as you might think. Having the right tool for the job is the first rule you should know.

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The most important part of any plumbing project is getting the hoses and pipes sealed properly. This is sometimes not as easy as you might think. Having the right tool for the job is the first rule you should know.

Never use a sealant that is not designed for what you are doing. Use plumber's putty to seal the sink flanges of a garbage disposal unit. There are specially made wax and grease sealants for use on the base of a toilet. Shower pipes and spouts should be sealed with caulking,Plumbing Sealants and Tapes - How to Seal Hoses and Pipes Articles and the list goes on from there.

Many people regret substituting the wrong sealant for a particular job. Do not substitute PVC Pipe glue when instructions ask for plumber's putty. If you use these things rather than Teflon plumber's tape on hoses, you will never be able to remove it should you ever decide to replace the hoses.

Be sparing but not stingy. It's also important to use the right amounts. For example, a ¼ inch bead of plumber's putty is sufficient to seal around a sink. Too much of it will certainly mean that more cleaning up is needed. If insufficient amounts are used, water will leak under the sink.

Remove the excess but make sure not too much is removed. Too much sealant will tend to crack and tear after it hardens. Wipe away the extra using a damp cloth, sponge or even your finger and it should be ok. Also, make sure you clean up any smears before they dry.

Be generous with Teflon plumber's tape. Usually you cannot use too much, but in rare cases, it could create small channels for the water to escape through. The reason it's so hard to overdo it is because it is very flexible and compressible. Obviously, you don't want to put so much on that it becomes difficult to fit the new pipe or hose on.

Wind it in the proper direction. If you are handling hoses, the direction is not a problem, however if you are threading pipes, direction will matter. If it's not done correctly, the tape will twist off. The tail of the tape should be facing the direction you will be threading onto it. It will create a seal that us tight as the tape will extend in the similar direction as the pipe while the pipe is being threaded. If the tape twists the other way, you will not have a good seal at all.

Avoid torn ends. Do not tear or bite the tape off using your teeth. This can be tempting if your working in an area that is not convenient for getting in and out of. This can lead to stretching and tearing of the ends. If the tape has been extended too much before being threaded on the pipe it will not seal properly.

If the tape is cut cleanly, it will set in the threads better and not leave any ridges that could cause leaks. This should be done on the front and back of the tape. If there are bumps, it will become small gaps for water to leak from.

If you use the correct sealant for each job and follow the directions when doing it, your plumbing projects will be well sealed and leak free.