PTFE or not?

colm_mcm

Hi plumbers.

I've done a bit of odds and ends with plumbing over the years, simple stuff like moving sinks and changing sections of pipe or fixing leaks.

Am I right in thinking that PTFE tape isn't necessary on compression joints using new fittings and on new pipe?

Is it any harm to use it around olives in this scenario or is it doing more harm than good? Would the tape prevent proper compression ?

I have used it before on old joints where I guess the fittings had been over tightened before or it just wouldn't seal for whatever reason.

I will be using new fittings on some old painted copper pipes soon (and using some new copper pipe too) and wondering what the best move is.

TPM

on the painted pipe you need to remove all the paint for the olive to seal properly on the copper

K.Flyer

I find that a lot of compression fittings can now be machined a bit sloppy compared to many years ago. As TPM said, remove all the paint first, but I would now put a wrap on the olive on the side facing the fitting out of habit.

colm_mcm

Thanks for the advice.

For the new pipes, is the PTFE actually necessary or an advantage?

K.Flyer

colm_mcm wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

For the new pipes, is the PTFE actually necessary or an advantage?

Strictly speaking it shouldn't be necessary, some pipe jointing compound should suffice. I just dont have much faith nowadays in some of the fittings coming into the country, so I just put a wrap of tape for my own peace of mind and have no leaks.

tashiusclay

colm_mcm wrote: »

Thanks for the advice.

For the new pipes, is the PTFE actually necessary or an advantage?

It does no harm to give the olive a couple of wraps with it, preferably pre compress the olive first, then undo the compression nut and then wrap

FortySeven

I would say not, just some paste and be done. As long as everything is clean, straight and square and there are no burrs in the angled inner face of the nut or on the pipe or olive then you are good to go.

I agree some components can be a bit nasty and can fail but tape won't cure that. Just inspect them. It's usually burrs in my experience.