You have no items in your shopping basket.

PTFE Tape – The Idiot Proof Plumbing Accessory

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.

 

Picture of SLIZZA Designer Anthracite Towel Radiator - 500mm Wide 1300mm High
Product Code: SLZ5013A
Availability
22 in stock
 
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
 
Picture of EMRENO Chrome Designer Towel Radiator - 500mm Wide 800mm High
Product Code: EMR5080C
Availability
31 in stock
 
500mm wide and 800mm high rectangular tubed chrome plated ladder style designer towel radiator with 274 Watt - 934 BTU/h @ Delta 50.
£209.99 inc. VAT
 
Picture of WAVE Chrome Designer Towel Radiator - 1200mm Wide 635mm High
Product Code: WV1260C
Availability
20 in stock
 
1200mm wide and 635mm high horizontal wavy-shaped chrome designer towel radiator with 331 Watt - 1128 BTU/h @ Delta 50.
£239.99 inc. VAT
 
Picture of SONAVA Designer Anthracite Towel Radiator - 600mm Wide 1200mm High
Product Code: SNV6012A
Availability
11 in stock
 
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
 
Picture of DIVERI Anthracite Bathroom Towel Radiator - 600mm Wide 1200mm High
Product Code: DVR6012A
Availability
11 in stock
 
600mm wide and 1200mm high anthracite designer towel radiator with 520 Watt - 1774 BTU/h @ Delta 50.
£219.99 inc. VAT
 

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.

PTFE Tape

 

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.

 

How to Apply PTFE Tape?

 

Consequences of None or Not Enough PFTE 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.