As prevention is certainly better than cure in this case, for any plumbing joints that are hidden or hard to reach such as those being kitchen units, it’s not a bad idea to add some PTFE tape to ensure no leaks occur at any point in the future as in most cases you’ll never find a leaking joint until the damage has already been done.

Create a tight seal between water lines and sinks with plumber’s tape. Wrap plumber’s tape 2-3 times around the male threads of all the fittings underneath a newly-installed sink before you attach the water lines. This will ensure a tight seal so there aren’t any leaks when you’re running water from the faucet at high pressure. [6] X Research source

White Teflon tape comes in a single density. It’s made for water pipes that measure ? inches or less. You can also find it in silver color, on occasion, which is made to match the color of the pipe. Red Tape Find out how to measure plumbing pipe size easily and accurately with our free tool. This handy ruler will save you money and frustration!

Keep the first two threads of pipe free of any PTFE tape. This will allow the pipe to engage the fitting and easily start your connection. Cut off the excess tape on the remaining exposed threads at connections that you can see. This will keep your work looking extra-professional at shower head connections or exposed plumbing underneath pedestal sinks. Conclusion Pull the tape tight to break it and separate the roll from the tape on the pipe. Pinch the tape between the pipe threads and the roll tightly between your fingers. Pull it to stretch and tear the tape. Press any excess tape tightly onto the threads. [5] X Research source Apply plumber’s tape to shower head and arm connections to seal them. Shower heads and arms, which are the metal tubes that shower heads attach to, are another area that tend to have problems with leaky connections. Make sure to wrap all the male threads on new shower heads and shower arms 2-3 times with plumber’s tape before screwing them together. [7] X Research source Clean all threads: The first task is to clean everything fully and remove any dust, debris or grime that may be in any of the threads. The presence of even the tiniest spec of dust can cause a leak. Using a clean, lint-free wrag dust off any debris from in and around the threads of both sections of the joint. Where any heavy soiling is present you may need to use a specialist cleaning or degreasing product. The best tool to use is a wire brush or if you have one, like we have used here, a brass wire brush.Save frustration and embarrassment with our guide on the best toilet plunger you can buy. We will even show you how professionals unclog toilets! Use plumber’s tape to seal male pipe fitting threads. Male pipe fittings are the pieces that screw into another piece, which is called a female pipe fitting. Always put plumber’s tape on the male threads before screwing them into the female threads. [1] X Research source Wrap the tape tightly around the threads 2-3 complete revolutions. Hold the pipe fitting steady and rotate the hand holding the roll of tape around the threads to wrap them. Pull the tape tight after each full revolution around the pipe fitting. [4] X Research source After you are done wrapping your thread sealant tape you can use a fingernail or the edge of the spool to chase the threads and flatten the tape. This will prevent any bunching or binding when you tighten up the pipe.

One question that often gets asked when using PTFE tape is; exactly how much tape should you use on a typical joint? In terms of this it is recommended that you don’t use any more than 3 complete wraps of PTFE tape around a thread.

In this DIY guide we take a look at PTFE tape and find out how exactly how to use it correctly. What is PTFE or Sealant Tape