teflon tape

[Seamus J. Wilson]

Is there any difference between the yellow gas and white teflon plumbing tape? Seamus J.

[Abe]

Yes. Yellow teflon tape is designed not to be broken down by petroleum products. White tape will break down in the presence of petroluem products.

[HeyBub]

The thickness

WHITE-Single density- should only be used on NPT threads up to 3/8 inch. YELLOW- Double Density- yellow double density is often labeled as "Gas type" RED-Triple Density: (Note-the container is red but the tape itself appears as a pale pink color). Presently required on all joints ½" diameter or greater. GREEN- Oil Free PTFE tape- Required for use on all lines conveying oxygen (I.E. -medical oxygen or welding oxygen lines). COPPER COLOR- contains granules of copper and is to be used as a thread lubricant but is not approved as a thread sealant. (Generally it is used as a thread lubricant on bolts or pipe threads for mechanical applications where no physical seal is required.)

[tnom]

snip

This is incorrect. White Teflon tape will not break down with petroleum products. It's Teflon!

Begin of quoted info:

TEFLON TAPE:

When PTFE (Teflon) tape first became available they only made it in the common single density type, which we commonly find in the hardware and home supply stores. Later they began making a double density version, which was twice as thick. Many state and local codes then adopted the double density type as mandatory when making connections for natural gas however since both products were the same color (white) it was difficult for inspectors to be sure which product had been used. PTFE tape is now made in numerous varieties and they have issued a color standard to determine which type should be used.

WHITE-Single density- should only be used on NPT threads up to 3/8 inch. YELLOW- Double Density- yellow double density is often labeled as "Gas type" RED-Triple Density: (Note-the container is red but the tape itself appears as a pale pink color). Presently required on all joints ½" diameter or greater. GREEN- Oil Free PTFE tape- Required for use on all lines conveying oxygen (I.E. ?medical oxygen or welding oxygen lines). COPPER COLOR- contains granules of copper and is to be used as a thread lubricant but is not approved as a thread sealant. (Generally it is used as a thread lubricant on bolts or pipe threads for mechanical applications where no physical seal is required.)

PTFE tape is only approved as a thread seal when applied correctly. To apply you begin at the end of the pipe and wrap the tape under tension in the direction of the thread turns. Each successive layer should overlap the previous layer by ½ to 2/3 and continue wrapping until the entire threaded portion of the pipe is covered. (Minimum of 3 full turns).

[Claude Hopper]

What the difference between two wraps of double density Teflon tape or four wraps of single density Teflon tape????? If this is too technical for the average plumber just skip it.

[tnom]

The only difference with single density is you'll have a better chance of the tape getting sliced or pushed out of place. This could cause the tape to enter the system or not seal as expected.

If you are careful to wrap clean pipe threads carefully the above will not happen. Double density tape is required for natural gas lines as it is more dummy proof than the white.

[Sac Dave]

I piped Gas lines at a school they would not let you use Teflon tape, just rectorseal

[Boden]

I believe that the white teflon tape can only be used on pipe up to

1/2". Yellow teflon is used on pipe up tp 2".

[Abe]

Thanks for correcting me. I was repeating what someone else posted elsewhere without checking it out for myself first. That'll teach me.

[Red Green]

Abe wrote in news: [e-mail]:

Probably the first time that's happened on the Internet.