Teflon tape

jplante4 wrote:
The first time you pay an RV service place to pull little pieces of yellow teflon tape out the orifices on your furnace, water heater or cook top, you'll stop using tape and go to something like Loctite teflon dope.

Man!! Isn't that the truth. Teflon tape particles have cost RVers a fortune over the years. That's not including homeowners and others.
Nothing beats a good pipe dope.

jplante4 wrote:
The first time you pay an RV service place to pull little pieces of yellow teflon tape out the orifices on your furnace, water heater or cook top, you'll stop using tape and go to something like Loctite teflon dope.

The ironic thing is that I had to flush out pipe dope pieces from the original install of the anode rod in my water heater. I use the white tape, not have it near the first two threads, and it works adequately.

Anything with NPT pipe threads I use this:



From the mfr:

"RectorSeal T Plus 2 pipe thread sealant is a non-setting, multi-purpose compound which contains PTFE, plus synthetic fibers to create a stronger seal. Recommended for use on threaded galvanized steel, iron, brass, copper, aluminum, stainless steel, polyethylene, fiberglass reinforced, PVC, CPVC, and ABS pipe. T Plus 2 may be pressurized immediately following application. Conforms to TT-S-1732."

Approved for any gas except oxygen.

Lady Fitzgerald wrote:

jplante4 wrote:
The first time you pay an RV service place to pull little pieces of yellow teflon tape out the orifices on your furnace, water heater or cook top, you'll stop using tape and go to something like Loctite teflon dope.

That happens only if the tape is improperly applied. As long as you wind it on clockwise and put it on the threads only, it won't be a problem.

Do NOT put the tape, or any pipe dope, on the first 2 threads from the end of the pipe.

Dusty

jplante4 wrote:
The first time you pay an RV service place to pull little pieces of yellow teflon tape out the orifices on your furnace, water heater or cook top, you'll stop using tape and go to something like Loctite teflon dope.

That happens only if the tape is improperly applied. As long as you wind it on clockwise and put it on the threads only, it won't be a problem.

So if a person didn't want to concern himself with whether to use white or yellow tape even though the applications are quite apparent( I'm a bit anal and want to keep things simple but also use the best) then I could just use yellow tape for water and/or gas applications? I'm aware that one should not use too much tape which could compromise the sealing of the threads.

The first time you pay an RV service place to pull little pieces of yellow teflon tape out the orifices on your furnace, water heater or cook top, you'll stop using tape and go to something like Loctite teflon dope.

wd wrote:
I've always been told wind tight and clockwise looking at the end of the threads

This is correct. It is easiest to roll it backwards off of the roll, pressing on the end with your thumb, wrapping it clockwise. The first three threads and two to three wraps are the most important to cover properly, then the rest, up to the last thread, can be done with less care.

Bruce

I've always been told wind tight and clockwise looking at the end of the threads

Wind it so that tightening the connection will not unwind it.