Teflon tape or Plumbers tape - what is it & why do you need it ?

Looking for teflon tape or plumbers tape? Also known as a thread seal tape or a PTFE tape. PTFE stands for polytetrafluoroethylene !

What is teflon tape?

The teflon tape is a multipurpose tape that is specifically used in plumbing applications. The tape is sold cut to specific widths and wound on a spool, making it easy to wind around pipe threads. 

The tape is wind around pipe threads, taps, showers and so on to help seal the joint. It can be used to aid the joining of pipes with threaded joints, or to facilitate installation of products such as tapware or showers which attach to the threaded water pipe protruding from the wall. The tape lubricates, allowing for a deeper installation, a better seal, and an easier removal as they prevent the pipes from sticking when disassembling the joint.

The below image shows teflon tape wrapped around a bsp fitting in the direction of the threads.

Which teflon tape? Different types of teflon tape

The teflon tape is available in a wide range of choices designed for water, liquids and gas sealing. It is important you use the right tape type for your use case. The different types of teflon tapes and their specific uses are shown below  

• Standard white teflon tape for water
• Pink tape for high density tape for trade
• Yellow tape for gas
• Grey tape for both water and gas

Why teflon tape? Uses and Benefits

Teflon tape is a non-adhesive tape for use with threaded fittings on all types of pipes, including gas, liquid carrying pipework and potable water.

It can be used on pipe made from galvanised steel, iron, brass,copper, aluminum, stainless steel, polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, CPVC, ABS or fibreglass.

Including pipes carrying Diesel fuel oil, gasoline, alcohols, heating oils, hydraulic fluids, steam, water etc. Please note the tape is not be used on pipes which contain liquid oxygen or flourine.

Make sure you store your tape in cool, dry conditions between 5°C and 25°C.

The benefits of teflon tape are

• Will not harden or crack on the joint.
• Acts as a thread lubricant and anti-seize
• Prevents electrolytic corrosion of threads
• Non-toxic
• Non-flammable
• Unlimited shelf life
• Suitable for potable water
• Non flammable
• Rated working pressure of 2000kPa
• Temperature range -10°C to 200°C

Plumbersbest.com.au stock a large range of plumbing supplies such as shower heads, shower head washers, teflon tape, duct tape to make your life easier ! We supply Australian standard products Australia wide. In most cases we dispatch on the same day.

We hope you are able to choose the correct teflon tape for your use and look forward to serving you again!