PTFE Tape fans (Gripe alert)

Mar 21, 2015 14 Replies

Just got frustrated responding to someone on another forum who asked for advice to fix the leaks of water from the ends of her new shower hose. The solutions in my opinion was to fit some new washers (maybe two each end if one wasn't enough) as it seemed there were no washers in evidence. Along came the PTFE Tape Fanclub and started suggesting winding tape around the threads. If they are"clever enough" to be aware of PTFE tape, why can't they realise it is not the universal solution to everything. It is for sealing threads - where the thread is the seal and not the clamping force. Gripe over


Ha. Here in Spain they use it really thickly applied to the shoulder of threaded connections ie; not to seal the thread, rather to form a compression seal. I have got sucked into this usage.

It works.

IME even washers supplied are fibre - not much use on plastic(ky) threads. Somewhere, hiding until after I next need them, there are some rubber washers that seal well with little force.

I have a couple of washers in my holiday suitcase as almost inevitably the shower spurts more water from the connector than from the shower head.

See also; If it doesn't fit, hide the gap with silicone.

Of course PTFE tape it is not the universal solution to everything.

The angle grinder is the universal solution to everything diy and beer is the universal solution to everything else.

Although I do believe that a small section of mad religious freaks still worship WD40.

LIDL have some tomorrow, for anyone who needs one.

You've forgotten gaffer tape. It holds the world together.

Oi! Don't you diss my spray!

The Medway Handyman wrote in news:98APw.74562 $ snipped-for-privacy@fx01.am:

Let's hope that LSX remains the subtle fix for experts who get caught out.

What have the Romans done for us? Well apart from angle grinders, gaffer tape, and WD40. And PTFE tape, and araldite. And PVC tape and baler twine.

Between them they do solve a multiplicity of problems!

Going back to the OP, a twisted "string" of PTFE tape is a good temporary solution to a missing washer in a hose connection.

Only if the fitting pulls the seal faces fairly close - I have found that on some the threaded ring bottoms out on something before the faces are together - sometimes needing 2 washers.

Conservatives and the F'ing Liberals?

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