Blog Posts & Useful Tips by ADIGE Towel Radiators

The winter months can be rough on us in just about every way: our mood suffers, our skin suffers and our ability to be active suffers. Many people just want to stay in the house whenever they're not at work and avoid the brutal temperatures that wintertime brings. Unfortunately, some people do not have adequate heating solutions that will make this more comfortable. Between having old, inefficient heating systems that do not distribute heat evenly throughout the home, to stand-alone heaters that can be dangerous if tipped over, many people have much to gain by adding a modern, efficient radiator to the home. Our line of home radiators, heated towel racks and other solutions can help you add simple, effective heating to any and every room of the home – all while saving on your monthly utility bills! Find out more below about three options you have to consider.

Designer Bathroom Radiators

On a cold winter morning, all you really want to do is crawl back into bed and say “no thanks” to the day ahead. The naturally cold, sterile climate of a bathroom can make your morning routine even more excruciating, which is why a designer towel radiator could be a perfect solution. Some people lug their portable ceramic heaters to and fro depending on which room they currently are in, but a bathroom radiator will provide efficient, consistent heating without all the work. We have many different brands of designer bathroom radiators to choose from, in colours such as black, white, silver and stainless steel. You can avoid heating the entire home with a central heating system and instead opt for smart, targeted solutions like this to make winter mornings a bit less irritating. 

Tasteful Living Room Radiators If you have a cold or draft-filled living room or other comparable space, then you know how the winter can be a dreaded time. Portable heaters may not put off enough heat, and central heating units are expensive and inefficient when it comes to targeting that heat to one room or another. Our extensive selection of vertical radiators can be discreetly mounted to any wall in the living room, taking up very little space. In fact, some of our vertical radiators project from the room by less than 10 centimetres, meaning that your floor area will not be impacted in any substantial way. Best of all, these designs are astounding: you won't be reminded of your grandmother's old radiator. If you don't believe us, then be sure to check out some of our more popular vertical radiators, such as the Fiore 400/1800 designer radiator now available.

Sleek Bedroom Radiators For a bedroom or similarly sized area, horizontal radiators can make the difference between a winter of misery and inconvenience, and one with lower energy bills. Imagine having to heat your entire home for eight hours while you are asleep, and then imagine only having to heat one room with a high-efficiency alternative. Horizontal radiators can be easily mounted along the bottom of a wall, and with a very slim profile, will not create fire hazards or risks for burns like many other radiators do. Our Panox 1200/600mm Stainless Steel Radiator, for instance, is a solid piece that doesn't give off the illusion of being a radiator. With dozens of different design options to choose from, you can find a horizontal radiator for the bedroom or kitchen that makes more of an art statement than it does about your desire to save energy.

These three types of radiator solutions for the home – whether we're talking about the bedroom, the living room or the bathroom – all add energy efficiency and comfort throughout the home. When you consider how each room can be individually heating only when required, the investment in designer home radiators is a smart, long-term project that will save you thousands of pounds on your heating bills in the years ahead.

Here at ADIGE Towel Radiators, we often deal with customers who are seeking to replace their existing radiator for a more energy efficient solution, or who want to add a new radiator to an existing room in the home. Just as often as we handle these desires for our customers, however, we also help customers replace radiators that have malfunctioned. Lacking the proper heating capability during the winter months is not only inconvenient, but it can also be deadly under the worst of circumstances. Most people are not skilled in identifying or repairing radiators, though, so you may need some assistance in identifying whether or not the radiator has gone bad. Below, we've put together three of the most prevalent signs to watch out for to determine if it's time to finally replace your old radiator. 

The Radiator Leaks Radiators function by distributing heat (and in some cases, water) throughout the structure to warm the home. The biggest problem with old radiators is that they can crack after years of use, which will cause them to become rapidly inefficient and will require either a repair or a complete replacement. The number one indicator of a cracked radiator is the accumulation of water on the floor surrounding the unit. While it can sometimes be common for a radiator to release a small amount of moisture, puddles of water on the floor are indicative of a busted unit. Most home radiators require annual inspection and maintenance; if yours is currently leaking, then be sure to call a technician as soon as possible to see if it will need to be replaced.

The Radiator is Cold

A radiator that doesn't function properly can cause frustration and unnecessary anguish in the home. Another common problem that indicates a radiator is malfunctioning is it remaining cold while running. There are several issues that can cause this, but the good news is that most can be addressed without the need to replace the unit. Old thermostats in radiators are bound to go bad at one point or another – it may be time to replace it, as a malfunction here will render the unit worthless. The condensate pipe is another area that may need addressing; this pipe can actually back up and freeze during cold weather, and will need to be defrosted to restore the radiator's ability to heat. A cold radiator may also require the system to be bled, when too much air builds up in the unit. Thankfully, this issue can also be quickly corrected.

The Radiator Overheats

This can be a disastrous side-effect of a radiator going bad, and will often require more comprehensive, quick action to save the unit. A radiator overheats when the flow is blocked or there is a build-up of material somewhere inside the unit. This can unfortunately result in the radiator wasting energy at best, or cracking in the worst-case scenario. To minimise the likelihood of having to replace a home radiator, you should always contact a qualified service technician at the first sign of the unit overheating. When the lives of you and your family are at stake, you don't want to neglect a needed maintenance, repair or replacement of the device.

The three most common symptoms of a radiator going bad include overheating, a lack of heating properly and leaking. With a variety of radiators out there that provide heat through different methods, it's impossible to say for sure what exact issue may be at the root of the problem. The good news is that many signs of a radiator going bad can be fixed before it causes irreparable harm. For those who have to replace their heating solution, however, ADIGE Towel Radiators will always be here to provide top-notch service and the best radiators available today.

The bathroom is considered one of the most private rooms of the home, and certainly the most important to proper hygiene. We all have heard about the value you can add to your home by remodelling your bathroom, but what many people fail to realise is the potential cost a bathroom can add to your credit card if small issues are not caught and fixed promptly. Between plumbing systems and heating systems that run throughout the area, small problems can quickly turn into costly ordeals that impact the quality and value of your house. While there are quite a few different issues that could potentially arise in any bathroom, we will be covering three major issues that are the most common problems in any bathroom. If you act quickly when the symptoms are spotted, then you'll be able to get one step ahead of the problem and avoid massive remodelling or repair bills.

Check Your Water Pressure

While a bathroom radiator or a heated towel rail can help provide air comfort in the cold winter months, your water is usually heated by a water heater or boiler. This device contains all sorts of equipment that individually are quite simple, but all work together to ensure proper functioning of your plumbing and hot water. The pressure regulator is one of these parts, and it's designed to keep the water flowing properly while not causing damage to your plumbing. If your pressure indicator states that the water pressure in your pipes is above 550 kPa, then you are in danger of causing a pipe rupture. These costly occurrences become astronomically expensive if not easily accessible, so be sure to regularly test your pipe pressure.

Install a Powerful Bathroom Radiator

The winter months can be difficult on your body and spirit, but pipes don't complain until it is too late. The cold climate of winter will in some cases cause weakened pipes to rupture. If your bathroom is adjacent to the exterior of the home, then a risk of ruptured pipes in your bathroom increases. One way you can help prevent this is by installing one of our bathroom radiators. Not only will this keep the ambient temperature in the room high enough on the coldest of nights to prevent a rupture, but it is also useful for avoiding those freezing winter mornings when you have to jump into the shower. A couple of hundred pounds of investment today makes a lot more sense than a couple of thousand pounds of plumbing bills tomorrow.

Install Above-Floor Plumbing

Did you know that many toilets now exist with above-floor plumbing to help minimise repair problems in the bathroom? These macerating, above-floor units take water in from the sink or shower, and use a very powerful pump to liquefy any contents that are expelled before they are sent back the same way, into the sewer or septic tank. A leaky toilet can cause untold number of problems, including smelly bathrooms and rotten floors. An above-floor plumbing system for your toilet (these can also be used on sinks and showers) will prevent these issues from occurring, since the toilet's bond with the floor becomes structural and not plumbing-related. No more replacing toilet seals or worrying about maintenance costs whenever a leak springs up!

Nobody wants to deal with costly plumbing problems. Sometimes, the solution to this is to have a proactive approach. Whether you are keeping an eye on your existing plumbing systems or replacing them with a less-liable alternative, you can certainly minimise the likelihood of any problems tomorrow by acting today. With this information in hand, you can now decide whether or not you are doing everything you can to keep your bathroom – and plumbing – in great shape!

Heating the home is by far the biggest utility cost during the winter months for home owners. You may not be aware, but up to twenty five percent of your energy consumption in peak months comes from the use of home heating through central systems, which is why so many people are moving to energy efficient designer home radiators and other methods to keep energy costs lower. It wasn't too long ago that thermostats for heating the home were standard devices: they couldn't be programmed and lots of energy was lost due to inefficiencies. We now have the ability to save on across-the-home heating by updating our thermostats and using 21^st century solutions to heat the home. Below, we will discuss some of these awesome solutions that, when coupled with single-room heating solutions like radiators, can save you big money each and every winter.

Total Connect Comfort

We lose so much energy through improper insulation and leaving the heater running constantly to avoid the cold when we get off of work. If there was a solution to fix at least one of those problems, would you act upon it? The Total Connect Comfort system is an innovation by Honeywell that functions with compatible Honeywell smart thermostats, and can be operated from anywhere in the world through a mobile application. The app's interface gives you the ability to adjust the temperature for the entire house, or just for one room. The thermostat can be configured to turn on before you get home and turn off when you leave the house, which saves tons of energy and makes sure that you're never cold. Various Connect Comfort systems are available, with thermostats starting at as little as £100.

Rogers Smart Home Monitoring

Using your heat sparingly can help save energy, as can using a combination of column radiators and central heating. To get the most out of your central heat potential, you can install a solution like the Rogers Smart Home Monitoring system. Much like the Honeywell system, this works with various Rogers thermostats and can be controlled through the use of mobile technology. Not only can you adjust the thermostat when at home from the unit itself, but you can also do so when out and about. The system will even learn your heating preferences and set a schedule that is optimal for saving energy and preserving comfort.

Smart Air Conditioner

You can purchase heated towel rails to keep your towels warm, and a bathroom radiator to do the same for your bathroom, but what about the home as a whole? Samsung wasn't about to be outdone by its competitors, and as such has introduced its Smart Air Conditioner line of thermostats. Don't let the name fool you: it can be used year-round for home climate control and management, and usually runs around £150 for a compatible thermostat and system. Integrated with mobile apps, real-time statistics are delivered to any mobile device for review and input. This will allow you to make any changes in the home's temperature as necessary. Planning to come home early? You can override the smart schedule to warm things up before you get there. You'll also be able to activate settings such as the clean air wizard and smart saver energy feature whenever needed.

Saving energy and maintaining comfort during the winter months is a prime objective for most. Just in case you were wondering, all of these aforementioned systems can also be used in the summer months for cooling the home efficiently. With all of these savings, you may want to invest in single-room radiators and heated towel racks to increase the winter comfort of your home, or simply save that money for another purpose. Whatever your decision, it will surely irritate the utility companies who continue to want to earn pound after pound of your hard-earned income.

Few things speak about the quality and ambiance of your home like the living room does. An area that, by definition, brings life into the home, the living room provides ample opportunity to express creativity, embrace functionality and enjoy the company of others. For many, the living room is the centrepiece of the home but may not be at the actual centre of the home. The trouble with many home heating systems is that they distribute heat unevenly throughout the house, causing some rooms to be less comfortable than others. The addition of a home radiator to various rooms throughout the home can produce added value, wintertime comfort and – when done properly – actually enhance the aesthetic charm of the room. We'll outline a few designs that can incorporate a radiator into your living room while not having to sacrifice beauty or your existing floor plan.

Column Radiators Near the Windows Many people think of bulky, old-fashioned radiators when the word is mentioned, but modern design and technological innovation have produced new versions that look beautiful and provide more efficiency. Column radiators are one of these examples, which measure anywhere from one to two metres in length and can be affixed to any wall or compatible surface. Our range of anthracite column radiators for instance, resemble drawn-back curtains or window shutters when paired on each side of a window. With finishes in stainless steel, anthracite, black and white, you'll be able to find one or more column radiators that go well inside the home. Others decide to place these near the front door in the living room, as a design element that resembles a wall-mounted coat rack or something similar.

Horizontal Radiators Near the Floor Many people use wallpaper or decorative accents along the lower half of their living room walls to add a bit of flare and character to the room. Raised elements in particular can break the monotony of an otherwise dull, drab room. This is where and why a horizontal radiator can be an excellent addition to the living room.   Besides the heating functionality that it will provide, horizontal radiators from Neva, Bonera and Sena come in multiple colours and can be used with virtually any existing design schematic. Our horizontal radiators look especially good in contrast with light coloured walls and wood floors; a studio apartment design or post-modern ambiance in the home can be accentuated even more through the addition of such a unit.

Vertical Radiators Everywhere Else Last but not least, you have the option of adding a vertical radiator to the living room as both a design element and a heating source. With models from Oria, Cascia, Amara and others, these vertical radiators look more like pieces of art than they do home heating solutions.   Available in stainless steel, black and white finishes – with a variety of altered shapes, curves and designs to consider – you'll be able to find something that makes a bold statement while being a functional product at the same time.   One of our most aesthetically pleasing vertical radiators is the Bonera 324mm/1800mm Designer Vertical Radiator; when you see it, you'll understand why.  Of for a bathroom, you can opt-in for our Lemina designer anthracite towel radiator.

Having a comprehensive heating element in the living room no longer has to be an ugly, obstructive affair. ADIGE Towel Radiators strives to keep the most aesthetically-pleasing and best performing home radiators, designer towel radiators and other heating solutions in stock to give you absolute say in what your living room can truly be. If you're desiring comfort and charm while lounging about for your next design project, then our selection of radiators will provide you with the ability to start the project off right.

Adding a new radiator or changing an existing radiator is a relatively simple job, but if you don't know one end of a valve from another, it is a good idea to ask a plumber to tackle the job. It shouldn't cost you a fortune and at least you don't have to worry about flooding the place. However, if you are reasonably competent at DIY, changing or adding a radiator in a wet central heating system (the most common type in the UK) is well within the capabilities of any DIY savvy person. However, before you begin, there are a few things you need to consider.

Can the Boiler Cope?

Boilers don't have an unlimited energy output. If there are too many radiators on a system, they will work but they won't get hot enough. So, before you go adding extra radiators all over the place, check your boiler's BTU—this will tell you the maximum output of the boiler. It is normally ok to add one or two extra radiators, but use a BTU calculator for radiators in the home and cross reference this against the boiler output.

Check It's All There

Buying a new radiator online may seem like a cheap solution, but unless you buy from a reputable company, you could end up missing a few vital pieces. The worst-case scenario is that you remove your existing radiator, only to discover that the new one doesn't have any screws to hold it and the stores are now closed. So check the package before you start the job.

Location, Location, Location

If you are installing a radiator in a new location, think carefully about where the pipes are going to go. It is a lot easier to fit a new radiator to existing pipe work than it is to pipe in from somewhere else. Do you want the pipes to feed up from the floor? If so the floor boards will have to come up, which could be messy. Give this some thought before you make a snap decision.

Air in the System

Adding a radiator means draining down the system, which invariably leads to trapped air in the pipes. Air locks are noisy, but bleeding the radiators should solve the problem.

Top Up the Boiler Pressure

Draining down the system will also reduce the water pressure in the boiler so don’t forget to top this up once you have everything running smoothly. A loud, whining pump is a symptom of low water pressure. If you ignore it the pump will eventually wear out—and a replacement pump is unlikely to be cheap!

More Inhibitor Needed

Another side effect of draining down the system is that you will need more inhibitor (the product that stops sludge building up in the system). The good news is that inhibitor isn’t very expensive.

If in doubt about your DIY skills when fitting heated towel rails for small bathrooms, call on the services of a reputable plumber to do the job. It might be more expensive, but at least your carpets won't be ruined.

Once upon a time, most families were lucky to have a tin bath for special occasions. But times have changed and modern households can easily have two, three or even four bathrooms and en-suites. However, some smaller properties only have room for one small bathroom, so the question of whether a shower would be more space efficient is a pertinent one. Naturally there isn’t a straight forward answer, so if you are wondering whether to swap your bath for a power shower, or vice versa, here are a few points to bear in mind. Water Consumption According to the study, the average eight-minute shower used 62 litres of hot water, and some power showers can use up to 136 litres, compared with an average bath's 80 litres. Even four minutes under a water-inefficient power shower still uses less water than the average bath. Using less water in the bathroom isn’t just about the environment – there is a strong link between the hot water you use and the size of your energy bill.

Advantages of a Bath

Most homes have at least one bath, but we all lead busy lives so in this day and age, a bath might not be right for your home. However, there are some advantages to installing a bath rather than a shower.

• Kids – Younger children love baths. It gives them a chance to play in warm water and relaxes them just in time for bed. Parents can also have a bath at the same time, which is useful when you have a baby as well as a toddler.
• Joint problems – For anyone suffering with the pain of arthritis, soaking in a hot bath can be a huge comfort. It won’t cure the disease, but the heat of a bath can significantly soothe the symptoms.
• Relaxation – At the end of a long, stressful day, nothing beats lying in a nice, hot bath, with a glass of wine nearby and a few scented candles dotted around the bathroom. After about thirty minutes, you might actually feel human again.

Advantages of a Shower

• Speed – Running a bath takes time, and when you are late for work, time is something you probably don’t have. It is possible to have a quick shower in less than five minutes, so showers are the ideal solution for busy people.
• Mobility issues – It isn’t easy climbing into a bath when you are crippled with arthritis or you have some other serious mobility issue. A shower is more suitable for those who are unable to sit down without help. Showers can also be adapted for wheelchair users.
• Space – A small shower cubicle takes up less space than a large bath, so if your bathroom is a touch on the ‘compact’ size, installing a shower will give you more room to play with. Showers are also more suited to en-suite bathrooms because of the space issue.

Selling a Home

No matter what your preference is, should there be any possibility that you might need to sell your home in the future, be careful of removing a bath and replacing it with a shower. Most people, in particular families, are going to want a bath and a property without one is likely to be less attractive to potential buyers. So bear this in mind.

The ideal solution is to have both. If space is a problem, consider installing a bath-shower as this will take up less room than a shower cubicle and separate bath. And don’t forget to look at towel rails with electric options for an extra ‘wow’ factor.

Bathrooms are no different to any other room in the home—they look fantastic when you first have a new bathroom suite fitted, but as the months and years pass, the décor begins to fade and everything starts too look tired and past its sell by date. Ripping out the entire bathroom is a costly exercise, but don’t despair because there are cheaper ways of giving your bathroom a fresh new look. So if the seaside appeals, here are a few tips on how to give a bathroom a seaside theme.

Paint the Bathroom in Seaside Colours

Use colour to create a seaside theme in an otherwise boring bathroom. Paint the ceiling pale blue and continue the blue colour down the walls about two thirds of the way. Next, using a soft cloth or sponge and some white paint, paint fluffy clouds on the ceiling for a touch of tranquillity. Wood cladding also goes well in a seaside themed bathroom, so use tongue and groove cladding for the lower wall and bath panel. Paint it with diluted white paint.

Distressed Beach Wood

Distressed wood is perfect for a seaside bathroom. Look for storage cabinets and shelves made from distressed or whitewashed wood. Alternatively, buy an old cupboard, sand it down, wash it with diluted paint, and then apply a coating of protective wax.

Use Pretty Sea Shells

Sea shells are perfect for a seaside themed bathroom. Bags of small shells can be bought from shops in coastal resort towns, or you can spend an afternoon collecting your own shells. These can then be used to create an attractive decorative feature around mirror frames or along the edge of your tongue and groove wall cladding. Alternatively, if you can’t find any shells, improvise and stencil some shells on to the wall or buy a few shell design decorative tiles.

Choose a Watery Themed Floor

A new floor will add some pizzazz to an old bathroom, but if you are opting for a seaside theme, it is important to choose the right flooring. Vinyl floor is a good choice for a bathroom as it is relatively inexpensive, waterproof and easy to clean. There are some fantastic designs to choose from, including ones that look as if you have pebbles on the floor, which would be a great choice in a bathroom. You could also sand down the floorboards if they are in good condition and then wax or whitewash them for a distressed look.

Add Some Watery Accessories

Accessories really finish off a bathroom to perfection. For a seaside theme, look for accessories that have fishes, shells or boats as part of the design. An abstract pebble modern art canvas or a fishy shower curtain will look great. And don’t forget extras like a pebble toilet seat, a nautical striped bath mat or a window blind with a sea shell print.

Nautical Shelves

Shelves are always useful in a bathroom, so put up some shelves, paint them blue, and fill them with cute seaside themed ornaments such as miniature boats and fishes. And don’t forget to add designer towel radiators to complete the stunning new look.

Plumbing emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, from blocked toilets and leaking radiators to burst pipes and broken taps. However, some problems are more urgent than others. For example, you shouldn’t ignore a blocked toilet or a burst pipe whereas a leaking radiator could be left for a bit longer as long as you placed a container under the leaking section of pipe. So if the worst happens and you end up dealing with a plumbing emergency, what do you need to do?

Turn the Water Off Immediately

Hopefully you will know where the stop tap is in the event of a plumbing emergency. In most houses the stop tap is either under the kitchen sink or where the water meter is. However, it could be outside or in a basement if you have one. If you don’t have a clue, it is a seriously good idea to find out well in advance where the stop tap is, or you could end up with a larger than necessary flood should the worst happen and a pipe bursts.

Do Some Damage Limitation

Once water starts spewing everywhere, you need to try and contain the mess as quickly as possible. Grab bowls and place them under the leak to catch as much water as you can. If this isn’t practical for whatever reason, use towels to soak up the water until you are able to disconnect the water supply. If the water is leaking out faster than you can cope with, find someone to empty pots and bowls, or help you scoop water out and into the nearest drain.

Move Furniture and Valuables Out of the Way

Water can wreak havoc as anyone affected by flooding will be all too aware. Water soaks into soft furnishings and carpets very easily, and therefore causes a lot of damage in a short space of time. Water can also damage electrical goods, so it is a good idea to move any vulnerable items well out of the way. If the leak is perilously close to electrical outlets or has already affected electrical equipment, be very careful before you move these items. To be on the safe side, turn off the electricity supply first.

Call the Emergency Plumber

Once you have done some damage limitation, if you are not in a position to fix the problem yourself, you need to contact an emergency plumber. Hopefully you already know a good plumber, but if you are forced to go looking online for someone local, do make sure you are clear about what their call-out fee is before you ask them to come and fix the damage. Don’t forget to check whether you have emergency cover under an insurance policy—some bank current accounts offer this kind of extra as part of their package.

Deal with the Aftermath

De-humidifiers are very useful for drying out damp rooms in the aftermath of a leak. Sodden carpets and furnishings can take a while to dry out, particularly in the winter. A de-humidifier can speed up the process and make the room habitable a lot quicker. And if the damage is extensive, consider claiming on your home insurance policy to replace your old leaky radiator for new ADIGE towel radiators.

The average plumber has dozens of tools in his box: wrenches, screwdrivers, spare washers and bits of pipe. He will use all of them at any given time, but the one piece of kit he won't be able to do without is a roll of PTFE tape. PTFE tape is commonly known as 'plumber's tape', and for a very good reason. This stuff is incredibly useful. However, as useful as PTFE tape is, you do need to use it correctly or it won't be able to do its job.

SLIZZA Designer Anthracite Towel Radiator - 500mm Wide 1300mm High

Product Code: SLZ5013A

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500mm wide and 1300mm high square-tubed S-shaped anthracite designer towel radiator with 516 Watt - 1760 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

£259.99 inc. VAT

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EMRENO Chrome Designer Towel Radiator - 500mm Wide 800mm High

Product Code: EMR5080C

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500mm wide and 800mm high rectangular tubed chrome plated ladder style designer towel radiator with 274 Watt - 934 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

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WAVE Chrome Designer Towel Radiator - 1200mm Wide 635mm High

Product Code: WV1260C

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1200mm wide and 635mm high horizontal wavy-shaped chrome designer towel radiator with 331 Watt - 1128 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

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SONAVA Designer Anthracite Towel Radiator - 600mm Wide 1200mm High

Product Code: SNV6012A

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600mm wide and 1200mm high rectangular horizontal tubed on round vertical tubes designer anthracite towel radiator with 746 Watt - 2544 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

£200.00 inc. VAT £249.99 inc. VAT

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DIVERI Anthracite Bathroom Towel Radiator - 600mm Wide 1200mm High

Product Code: DVR6012A

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600mm wide and 1200mm high anthracite designer towel radiator with 520 Watt - 1774 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

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What is PTFE Tape?

PTFE tape is a polytetrafluoroethylene film made into a tape. It makes an excellent lubricant and can be used to tighten the seal on a pipe, which is why it is so useful in plumbing situations. Most plumbers use PTFE tape on metal-to-metal screw thread joints. Rather than risking ruining the thread on the joint by tightening it up too much, putting some PTFE tape on before you tighten the nut gives you a much better seal whilst protecting the thread.

What is PTFE Tape Used For?

You can use PTFE tape anywhere there is a compression joint between two sections of pipe. Compression joints on brand new pipe work should be fine without PTFE tape, but older pipework is more likely to weep when things are moved around, i.e. you are changing a radiator over. This is why PTFE tape is commonly used when fitting taps and radiators. Use of PTFE tape, plus a thin coat of plumber's jointing compound, will ensure a nice tight seal and prevent leaks.

How to Use PTFE Tape?

There is a right way and a wrong way to use PTFE tape. The right way is to wrap it clockwise around the thread of the joint. The easiest way to remember which way to wind the tape is to hold the pipe in your left hand and apply the tape with your right hand. Wrap the tape over the thread/tap or whatever else you are using it for, and unroll the tape away from your body. If you are left handed, do it the opposite way so that you hold the joint with your right hand and unwrap the tape towards your body. This means the tape will tighten in the right direction and not unravel when you tighten the nut. Wrapping PTFE tape three times around the joint is enough—any more than that and you risk overloading the thread with tape.

Unusual Uses for PTFE Tape

Although PTFE tape is normally used in plumbing situations, it can be used elsewhere. One unusual use for PTFE tape is in piercings. Because the tape is inert and won't cause a reaction in the body, some people use it to stretch piercings. Wrapping tape around the plug will force the hole to enlarge.

PTFE tape is readily available from all good DIY stores. PTFE tape is inexpensive, but something that is definitely worth keeping in your toolbox for when you do some plumbing work or fit dual fuel heated towel rails.