In the world of plumbing, there are various tools that your average plumber will have in his toolbox. From pipe cutters to water pump pliers and everything in between, you can expect to see a lot of weird and wonderful things if you ever rummage through one.
When it comes to sealing pipe threads, there are usually two tools plumbers will use. The first is pipe joint compound, more commonly known as pipe dope, and the other is teflon tape. While both tools create a secure seal, each has its own unique advantages. Today, we’ll compare the two items and announce a definitive winner.
Why do plumbers need pipe dope and/or teflon tape?
When a plumber is working with multiple interconnected water pipes, they need a way to seal the connection between each set of pipes. As a basic requirement, they need this sealant to be water tight to prevent leakage and pressure tight to prevent any cracking. Some plumbers use solvent-based pipe dope to seal these pipes together, others use Teflon tape, and some even use a combination of the two.
Pipe Dope is a lube that usually comes in either a tube or a bucket. This type of sealant is applied to the pipe threads with a brush that usually comes as a package with a plug as standard. In general, however, you can use any kind of thin brush to apply the lube.
Teflon tape, on the other hand, is a type of non-sticky elastic band which plumbers use to tightly wrap pipe threads. These will usually be wrapped around the male threads before being then screwed into the female threads. You may wonder how this tape works effectively without a sticky side, but the tight wrap sticks to the wires so well that sticky tape is not considered necessary.
For those using both items to seal the pipes, the tape is usually applied first before the pipes are applied on top. Some may think this is unnecessary, but essentially you’re giving yourself and your pipes an insurance policy when a layer of sealant starts to lose its adhesion.
Pipe Dope vs. Teflon Tape – Advantages
The benefits of pepper
Pipe plug is generally a more effective sealant than Teflon tape due to its ability to work in a number of different pipe types with a high level of success. That’s not to say Teflon tape doesn’t have its merits (more on that soon), but the versatility and price of pipe dope make it a tough sealant to match.
Although we’ve only covered water pipes so far, the pipe plug is also a useful sealing tool for gas pipes. If your oven or hob is having problems, then the problem may be related to the gas pipes. If they need a new sealant, then pipe stopper will be your friend. It is just as effective at sealing gas pipes as it is water pipes, making it an extremely versatile tool to have at your disposal.
When it comes to brass pipes, pipe dope is also king. These types of pipes usually have a rubber gasket which makes Teflon tape virtually redundant or unusable. In comparison, pepper works just as effectively on brass pipes as it does on gas pipes and metal pipes.
A final advantage of PVC pipe is that it offers installers more safety. Wrapping tape around pipe threads can sometimes feel like you’re doing a half-baked job, however, brushing on a lube gives you peace of mind that you’re doing a good job for your customers. Although this is mainly a psychological thing, it is still relevant and important.
Advantages of Teflon tape
One of the biggest advantages of Teflon tape is related to accessibility. You can buy this type of tape, sometimes called plumber’s tape, in a wide range of stores, while pepper is a more niche product. Most tradespeople will have some variant of Teflon tape in their tool kit as standard due to its low cost and versatility.
When it comes to using teflon tape as a pipe thread sealant for DIY projects, it also has the advantage of being easy to use. All you have to do is wrap the tape tightly around the pipe threads before attaching them to each other. There is no mess involved and the job is done nicely and quickly.
When it comes to plastic pipes, Teflon tape is the best option. When installers use pipe on plastic fittings, the pipes can become too tight if excessive amounts of lubricant are applied. When this happens to plastic pipes, there is a chance that they can crack. With that in mind, many plumbers opt for Teflon tape when it comes to sealing plastic pipe threads.
Pipe Dope vs. Teflon Tape – Disadvantages
Disadvantages of pipe drugs
While we’ve raved about pipe dope so far, there are a few things that make some plumbers think twice about using it. One of them is related to the issue we just discussed about its inadequacy for sealing plastic pipes. Not knowing how much pipe stopper to put on a thread is a common problem that occurs with all types of pipes, but it is most important with plastic pipes.
Another disadvantage of pipe dope is that it is not as easy to obtain compared to Teflon tape. You will probably have to order it online from a specialty store, which may involve additional costs and time. Teflon tape, on the other hand, is easier and cheaper to find.
Finally, pipe plugging is much messier than using thread sealing tape. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a sticky lube that comes in a tube or bucket and can get absolutely everywhere. Unless you’re the craftiest of plumbers, then you’ll prefer teflon tape all day.
Disadvantages of Teflon tape
The main disadvantage of teflon tape compared to pipe dope is the simple fact that it just doesn’t work as effectively as a pipe thread sealant. To be fair, teflon tape isn’t specifically designed for this task, so it’s expected that it won’t do the job as well. It’s worth noting, though, because you risk more pipe threads opening if you choose to use tape instead of pipe dope.
Another disadvantage of using this type of tape as a sealant is that it cannot be used on certain types of pipes. For example, you can’t use Teflon tape on brass pipes, which makes it worthless for these types of jobs.
Another downside is that there are several different types of Teflon tape, each color meaning something different. This means that you will need to thoroughly investigate each type before purchasing to ensure that the one you have works effectively as a pipe thread sealant.
Eventually, a roll of tape will run out faster than a bucket of pipe dope. This means you’ll need to make sure you have multiple rolls with you at all times.
The best types of pipe stoppers and teflon tape
Now that you’ve weighed the pros and cons of each method, you may be ready to buy one or both. Although it is easier to get Teflon tape, there are different types, so you need to make sure you choose the right one. Pipe dope is potentially harder to come by, but is usually a one-size-fits-all task.
Recommended plug for sealing pipe
There are a few different pipe dope products on the market today. The one we would recommend is Gasoila soft-set pipe thread sealant with PFTE paste. It’s well priced, can be used on a range of different pipes and will do the job effectively.
Teflon tape recommended for sealing pipes
As we touched on earlier, there are several types of Teflon tape on the market. The best for sealing pipe threads is Dixon Valve TTB75 PTFE Industrial Sealing Tape. This PTFE tape is 520 inches long and will give you a cleaner alternative to pipes.
Conclusion
We hope that the information we have provided today has given you everything you need to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a pipe thread sealant. However, we promised our own verdict, so here it is – Although it has the potential to cause a mess and may take longer to fit, go for the pipe sealant as it is more effective as a sealant for pipe sealant than the tape and this is ultimately the most important factor to consider.