disadvantages of PTFE (thread seal tape) ?

Question

ok im only sixteen so im learning plumbing at the moment
so this question could sound stupid to most plumbers
but what are the disadvantages of thread tape (PTFE)

ok im only sixteen so im learning plumbing at the moment
so this question could sound stupid to most plumbers
but what are the disadvantages of thread tape (PTFE) thanks alot

Answer 1

only a couple, first of all it is more expensive than the paste in the can style, it is easily misplaced, or stolen, it has to be put on in the right direction to avoid "bunching" and in tight quarters it can be almost impossible to apply correctly. but it is a good product and in the right applications can be easier to use (less mess) for instance. most plumbers have both.

Answer 2

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RE:
disadvantages of PTFE (thread seal tape) ?
ok im only sixteen so im learning plumbing at the moment
so this question could sound stupid to most plumbers
but what are the disadvantages of thread tape (PTFE)

Answer 3

I put teflon tape on every threaded joint I do. It is cheap, it is easy to put on, and you cannot begin to go back and fix a leak for what it costs to put it on. It is like insurance for me, I put telfon tape and pipe dope on every joint. The only time I do not put teflon tape on is when I am putting a threaded fitting into a PVC female fitting because the extra tape can bunch up in the PVC female adapter and cause it to split, but there again, I NEVER use PVC female adapters because they do split, always use a PVC male and then threaded metallic female fitting. The only other draw back is if you are not careful about you put it on, it can cover the end of a pipe and block the flow. If you put it on correctly there is not much chance of it getting into the valves but it can happen, as it can with pipe dope. I always use it, it is too cheap and easy not to use. Best of luck.

Answer 4

Mainly because its a pain in the *** to use. Regular type thread sealer is just fine and is a lot easier to put on and goes a lot farther than the tape that keeps getting lost anyway.

Answer 5

The other day I used it to tape up a box instead of duct tape and it didn't work well at all!

Answer 6

You can also get pieces of the tape inside of valves etc.