How to Use Plumber's Tape

Plumber tape is also known as Teflon tape that is used to get a water-tight seal on threaded pipe joints. It will help to make a connection and for making the threading a bit smoother, and it helps to prevent pipes from sticking when you want to disassemble the joint. Plumber's tape is very easy to use, but there's a right way and a wrong way to apply it. In this article I will guide you about the trick of getting plumber's tape right is to wrap it around the pipe in the proper direction.

Here are the basic steps. First of all, you should clean the male threads at the end of the pipe with a clean rag and Place the end of the plumber's tape on the second thread from the end of the pipe and hold it in place with a finger or thumb. The tape should lie flat (not bunched up) over the threads and extend perpendicularly to the length of the pipe. Begin wrapping the tape around the pipe in the opposite direction to the direction the pipe will be turned.

Maintain tension on the tape so it wraps snugly around the pipe. Work away from the end of the pipe, overlapping the tape as you go and Complete four to six wraps around the pipe, finishing near the end of the threads (opposite the end of the pipe).

Break the tape from the roll by gripping it between thumb and forefinger and pulling sharply; it breaks easily. Smooth the loose end down over the threads. The pipe is now ready to go into the fitting. Common places to use plumber's tape include Shower arms, showerheads, Pipe-to-coupling connections, and Pipe-to-coupling connections.