Do I need plumber tape or other?

jkwilson wrote:
Be careful when using the term plumber's tape. It used to almost exclusively refer to the galvanized metal, plastic or copper strapping with holes in it used to hang pipes. The term has been co-opted and now refers to both the original stuff and to teflon pipe sealing tape. Confusion is guaranteed.

X4 now
This is how you know the guy offering help really knows his plumbing stuff. If you ask for plumbers tape and they ask back metal or plastic.

As I have been employed in the industry for a loong time, I would like to comment.
When the threads are the sealing surface by all means teflon tape them. Most applications require only a few turns (3-4), I start 2 threads up from the end of the pipe as they are starter threads and not sealing threads. Then the first 2 threads get a light coat of pipe dope. Think of it as assembly lube. Typical flexible lavy supply lines use the aforementioned cone washer as the sealing surface. With those, I coat lightly again with dope as assembly lube for maybe 4-5 threads making sure I coat the contact area of the faucet shank or nipple so it smoothly addresses that area with the cone washer as it spins into place.
I dope or silicone grease nearly everything that screws together in plumbing.

You use tape or sealer on TPT (tapered pipe threads only, and then only where the threads themselves do the sealing. In all other cases (most likely in your case changing out a faucet) do not use tape or sealer !

campingwiththoreau wrote:
Going to replace a kitchen sink faucet today.

When hooking up the hot and cold lines... do I use a plumber tape? if so- which one?

thank you!

CWT

white teflon tape is for water pipes
tapered fittings, shpuld not need it

'plumbers tape' is the generic term for the perferated metal straping used to hang pipes

Yes, "modern" faucets normally have a 1/2" male threaded end to which a "swivel" female fitting threads onto. A swivel fitting is like in this photo (also comes in a straight type). No PTFE tape or tools needed except may need a wrench or slip-joint pliers underneath to get the faucet off the sink. As long as the hole spacing matches what is on the sink, you can go shopping for regular off the shelf faucets.

Chris Bryant wrote:

enblethen wrote:
Look at the supply line to faucet. If it has the beveled washers, then no tape. Normally connection to faucet uses the beveled washers.

This- I have yet to find a faucet which needed tape- the connectors are all swivel with a cone washer.

That's been my experience also.

enblethen wrote:
Look at the supply line to faucet. If it has the beveled washers, then no tape. Normally connection to faucet uses the beveled washers.

This- I have yet to find a faucet which needed tape- the connectors are all swivel with a cone washer.

Look at the supply line to faucet. If it has the beveled washers, then no tape. Normally connection to faucet uses the beveled washers.

White. But whether you use it or not depends on the type connection you have.

White for water, yellow for combustibles like propane or natural gas or gasoline.