How many times to wind PTFE tape ??

[Heatslave]

Hi All,

On the scrounge for some more info, hope someone can help.

As a non plumber refitting my Worcester Heatslave oil combi, I would like to stop any water leaks before they start.

How many times do you wind PTFE tape round a thread ??

Where would you put it on an olive ??

Do I need sealant paste as well ??

Any other top tips on preventing water leaks on 15mm and 22mm copper pipe joints would be much appreciated

Many thanks,
Graeme.

 

[Diyisfun]

Im not a plumber but I do the following

1 3 turns against the direction of thread
2 dont use it
3 nothing else required.

Main tip DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN, its much better do do it firm & if it weeps give it half a turn more, once you overtighten, you are on the spiral to having to remake the joint.

But as I said I'm not a plumber

 

[Bahco]

As a non plumber refitting my Worcester Heatslave oil combi,.

I hope you know what you are doing!

 

[seco services]

what do you want ptfe on an olive for ?
looks ugly and the olive will do its job if fitted correct.
and use jointing paste.

 

[roguetrader]

never use ptfe on olives, bit of paste and some common sense.
have the number of someone who knows what they are doing handy, what your doing isn't really diy.

 

[Fluffster]

You do not wrap ptfe tape around the thread as this does not make the water tight seal.
The seal is made by the olive compressing onto the pipe and into the fitting.
Never use tape and paste together.

Pete

 

[Diyisfun]

You do not wrap ptfe tape around the thread as this does not make the water tight seal.
The seal is made by the olive compressing onto the pipe and into the fitting.


Pete

But isnt the ptfe just 'belt & braces'

 

[seco services]

it means you don't trust your own work.

 

[roguetrader]

wrapping ptfe round your head would do more good than round an olive.

 

[Heatslave]

Thanks for the advice so far

A plumber friend of mine said a leak can be fixed by wrapping PTFE tape round the olive, as thats where the seal is made.

I put the Worcester in originally, but it had to come out to get a leak welded on the boiler tank.

It should go back in easily enough.......famous last words !!!


Please keep the advice coming.

 

[ant954]

wrapping ptfe round your head would do more good than round an olive.

thank you, after a hard day a quote like that will keep me laughing all night!

 

[lagunaglen]

wrapping ptfe round your head would do more good than round an olive.

Not true,sometimes you may have no option and you will see it works.

 

[lagunaglen]

You do not wrap ptfe tape around the thread as this does not make the water tight seal.
The seal is made by the olive compressing onto the pipe and into the fitting.
Never use tape and paste together.

Pete

So how do you seal a rad valve tail that doesnt have a rubber seal then ?

 

[roguetrader]

wrapping ptfe round your head would do more good than round an olive.

Not true,sometimes you may have no option and you will see it works.

in 18 years doing this job ive never needed to wrap ptfe round an olive. maybe tomorow....

 

[Fluffster]

So how do you seal a rad valve tail that doesnt have a rubber seal then ?

I thought the OP was talking about compression joints here on copper pipe not threaded radiator tails?

Pete