At home plumbing can be a little intimidating at first, but with the right tools you can save some money fixing the smaller stuff yourself. Glass Cloth Teflon Tape or PTFE tape is a sure-fire to reinforce your pipes and prevent leaks at the pipe joints. If you decided to tinker around under the sink make sure you have a roll of this adhesive in your toolbox.
What is it made of?
Glass Cloth Teflon Tape is consists of a fiberglass cloth strip that is coated with Teflon for a smooth, anti-stick outer face. The strip itself is a thread cloth woven together. If pulled apart the individual threads will become visible much like medical gauze, wrap or tape.
On the bottom half the strip is coated with a high temperature tolerant silicone adhesive.
What Makes Glass Cloth Teflon Tape so Great?
There are several features that make Glass Cloth Teflon Tape such a valuable asset.
- Works in extreme climate conditions.
- Tolerates extremely high and low temperatures.
- Removed easily.
- Resist chemicals.
- Flame resistant.
- Highly durable and long lasting.
- Provides quality insulation
How to Use it
Teflon tape works best when used on threaded pipe fittings. The tape sets neatly into the grooves of the threads allowing for a tight seal between two pieces. To fully reap the benefits of this product, users must correctly apply the tape to the surface they intend to use it on. Following these simple tips should have you on the right track:
- First clean and wipe down the areas the tape will come into contact with. Remove and dirt, rust, dust or other impurities that might intervene with the adhesiveness of the tape or the fit of the pipes.
- Secure the open end of the tape on the bottom side of the male threads starting with the second thread.
- Wrap the tape following the direction of the threads around the rest of the pipe. When you’re done, tuck the loose end back over the threads.
- Run a firm hand over the taped threads making sure the tape is secured over each individual thread.
When to Use it
Glass Cloth Teflon Tape can be used in a variety of applications. As noted earlier it makes and excellent seal between pipe joints. Which makes it an essential competent in maintaining gas lines, showerheads, conveyer belts, chemical and electrical lines, heating insulation, plastic pipes, air and gas vents and food production machines.
