Pipe Thread Sealant vs. Pipe Joint Compound

If you look in any plumber or maintenance technician’s toolbox you are sure to find some kind of pipe sealant. There are different types of sealants for different jobs. Reaching for whichever one is closest isn’t the best idea. In fact, using the wrong sealant can lead to leaks, water damage, and other serious problems. But how do you know which type of sealant is right for the project or job you’re working on? To help you make the best choice, we’ve got some information for you about the two most popular sealants – pipe thread sealant and pipe joint compound.

Pipe thread sealant tape, also called Teflon tape, is a popular type of pipe sealant that comes in a roll like masking tape of electrical tape. Teflon tape is a white, nonstick tape that actually serves as a lubricant as the threaded parts of a piping system are connected. That means that Teflon tape, to put it precisely, isn’t a really a sealant, but it is used to prevent leaking. The tape does stop leaks by clogging the thread paths.

Pipe thread sealant tape comes in different thicknesses that will make it more or less ideal for the job you’re working on. It’s easy to apply, you simply wrap it around the threaded end of a fitting or pipe, making sure that it’s wrapped carefully in the same direction of the threads. Otherwise, it will tear or unravel. In part because of the tearing, most plumbers don’t use it for connections that are meant to be permanent. As the pipes and fitting are being connected and tightened the tape can tear. If that happens, pieces of the tape may find their way into a fluid system, clogging filters, valves, or screens that are further down the line.

A pipe joint compound, also called pipe glue, pipe dope, or PVC glue, is a putty-like adhesive that can be white or clear. Typically, it’s applied to the thread end or pipes and fittings and on the inside of the connection piece, so it provides a seal that is airtight. To apply pipe dope, a small brush or spatula is usually used, although sometimes it can be spread better by hand.

Pipe joint compound has been around and used in commercial and residential applications for decades. It works by hardening as the solvent carrier that is used evaporates. That results in a seal that adheres strongly to both metal and plastic pipes to prevent leaking.

Pipe joint compound is easy to find, fairly simple to use, and inexpensive. It works with all types of pipe and fitting materials, and it produces a strong seal. Pipe dope is generally stronger seal than Teflon tape, which is why plumbers and other professionals use it rather than tape for seals that are permanent.

If you have a plumbing job that needs to be done in your home, you have a choice of what type of pipe sealant to use. You want to make sure that you have an airtight seal and that there are no leaks in the pipes or fittings. Hopefully, the above information helps you make the right decision when you’re choosing the sealant you’ll use for your situation.