Facing pipe leak problem? But don’t know how to use pipe leak tapes? Then read on to find all the answers on how to use pipe leak tapes.

All homeowners around the world face one common problem that is plumbing or pipes leak. It is one such problem that can easily be resolved by using different kinds of tape. Now you might wonder what kind of tapes you should use? Well, there are various types of tapes available to mitigate your plumbing leaks issues.

You can use pipe thread tape, which is sometimes known as “Teflon” or “Plumbers” tape that is used to fix leaking pipe joints. Then there are silicone tapes, which are sometimes known as “self-fusing,” “self-amalgamating”, or “leak repair” tape that can be used to fix problems like hairline cracks or pipe leaks that are non-joint.

You will be surprised to know that there are a large number of applications of these tapes in plumbing. These tapes are used effectively by professional plumbers all the time. So you just need to know whether teflon tape or silicone tape will be the right type for your job and how to use it. If you don’t know what should be used for common types of pipe leaks or the process of application, don’t worry, scroll down till the end of this article to clear all your confusion regarding pipe leak tapes.

What is pipe leak tape?

When it comes to repairing leaking pipes, two types of tape are generally used the most. Those are silicone tape and pipe thread tape. Both of them can be found in any hardware store but their applications are different.

Pipe thread tape

Pipe thread tapes are known in many different names such as “thread seal tape,” “Teflon tape,” “PTFE tape,” or “plumber’s tape.”

You may know this tape by any of those names.  These tapes are required to establish a water seal between plumbing joints. This helps in lubricating the connections and makes threading smoother, and also disassembly simpler.

Silicone tape

As mentioned before, Silicone tapes are also known as “self-fusing tape,” or “self-amalgamating tape” because it is the only self-adhesive tape. And unlike other tapes, this one sticks to itself rather than sticking to a pipe. If you want a waterproof and durable temporary seal wrapped around your pipe leak, you should use Silicone tape.

When and what type of pipe leak tape to use?

As said before, both silicone and pipe thread tapes have very different applications. When you want to fix non-joint pipe leaks then Pipe thread tapes should not be applied because they don’t work effectively on non-joint pipe leaks, another thing to make sure is never applied silicone tapes to your pipe’s threads. So use each type of tape according to its proper application. For example:

To Fix Leaking joints:

If the joints of your pipes are leaking, then the reason might be either the connection between the pipes has loosened or the tape or putty sealing used on the pipes has worn out. If you`re facing these issues with your pipes then no worries because pipe thread tapes can be the one-stop solution for both of these problems. Then again if the pipe is leaking from a join, then you need to get some pipe thread tape.

To Fix Fracture leaks:

Generally, Hairline fractures and other kinds of leaks occur when pipes get damaged. However, if you see that the leak appears from the middle of your plumbing pipe, then it’s probably not a joint leakage, it’s more likely a fracture. In such cases, silicone tapes should be used since they will create a temporary watertight seal around the broken section of the pipe, preventing water from escaping while you work on a permanent repair. It is not advisable to use Pipe thread tape in such conditions as it will not give the desired result.

How Should You Use Pipe Leak Tapes?

Pipe leak tapes are easy to use. You just need to follow the instructions below:

How  Will I Use Pipe Thread Tapes to Fix Leaking Joints?

If you want to repair a leaking joint using Pipe Thread Tapes, the seal between the joints worn off has to be replaced. To do so, first, the silicone has to be disconnected between the leaking joints then wrap the tape around the pipe thread. Next, turn off the water and unscrew the pipe joint where it is leaking, pay close attention in which direction to rotate the pipe to detach it from the joint, take off the worn-out seal and apply the pipe thread tape. Wrap the thread four to six times from the opposite direction of the screw. Ensure that the tape is properly attached to the thread. After wrapping to the end of the pipe screw it back to the joint and finally test for leaks.

How will you Use Silicone Tape to Fix Fracture Leaks?

This process is simpler than the previous one. First, you`ll have to locate the leak and then turn off the water. Next, dry the area of the pipe where the leak is found then wrap the tape around the leak. The Tape should be wrapped tightly by overlapping several times.

I believe the method discussed here will help you in the future if you face any pipe leakage-related issues at your home. With proper knowledge and understanding of the situation, you can tackle any situation