Often referred to as a plumber's best friend, Teflon tape or thread sealant is a simple yet effective material found in tradie toolkits worldwide. Also known generically as PTFE tape, it's generally used as a sealant and lubricating material, perfect for installing fittings in the kitchen and bathroom. In fact, it's essential to use thread tape for those household brass fittings unless a rubber seal or gasket is in place.
Outdoor applications are also common, from tankless water heaters to irrigation systems and garden taps. In essence, PTFE tape comes in handy whenever you need a sturdy material to help tighten and seal pipes to avoid leaks. And it's not just for plumbers, either – almost all households will need some of this handy tape sooner or later.
The question is, though, do you know when and when not to use Teflon tape? This is a critical factor if you're planning to use Teflon tape for a DIY project, since Teflon tape can actually cause leaks if misused. For example, if you're working on PVC, copper or PEX pipes, these use alternate bonding methods and Teflon tape isn't necessary.
Keen to find out more about when to use plumber's tape? We've rounded up all the need-to-know information on when to use PTFE tape (and when you should definitely give it a miss). With many kinds of tape for plumbing and irrigation on the market, it's important to know when to use each one.
What is Teflon Tape (PTFE tape)?
PTFE tape – often referred to as "plumber's tape" or "Teflon tape" – is a professional strength adhesive tape used in a variety of applications, usually involving ductwork or piping. You can find it in your local hardware store where it is usually sold in varying sizes, from small rolls to big spools. To better preserve the adhesive, plumber's tape often comes inside a plastic casing.
PTFE is short for polytetrafluoroethylene, and what makes it so useful is that it's hydrophobic (water repellant) and has very low friction. This makes PTFE tape a must-have for plumbers and anyone who does pipework jobs, such as irrigation contractors. Every plumber worth their salt should have teflon tape with their other irrigation tools.
Although PTFE tape is most commonly referred to as 'Teflon tape', Teflon is actually a brand name of the PTFE material. Interestingly enough, the manufacturer of Teflon, DuPont, has never made its product in tape form. Other tape manufacturers used Teflon to create their plumber's tape, and they were allowed to use the name as long as they are using real Teflon in their products. So, while it is a popularly used term, it's not always accurate – your tape may contain another brand or variety of PTFE not associated with the Teflon trademark.
Instead of calling it Teflon tape or plumber's tape, you can also specifically ask for:
thread sealant
thread seal tape
thread-sealing tape
PTFE tape
All of these terms refer to the same types of irrigation tape. Still, Teflon tape and PTFE tape are acceptable, interchangeable terms. You'll still be handed the right item at the hardware store, whichever you choose.
