Pipe Thread Sealant vs Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Tape

Pipe thread sealant is one of the most important materials used in the plumbing industry. It gets wrapped around the threads on water and drain pipes and helps form an airtight seal to avoid leaks. Pipe thread sealant is also used in the HVAC industry on gas lines and plays a major role in preventing gas leaks.

While there are many different brands of pipe thread sealant, there are two basic types that plumbers use - PTFE tape and pipe dope. Both of these materials fulfill the same goal of creating a seal around pipe threads, but they do so in different ways. Additionally, pipe thread sealant is often a paste, whereas PTFE tape is a white or blue tape.

Despite the fact that both sealant and tape are widely used and both prevent leaks, there's a huge dispute about which one is better. Some plumbers and HVAC technicians swear by pipe thread sealant, while others will only use Polytetrafluoroethylene tape. This article will compare the two and help you choose the one that's right for you.

Pipe thread sealant, better known simply as pipe dope, is a thick, pasty material that gets smothered on pipe threads to prevent leaks. Pipe dope also acts as a lubricating material making it easier to substantially tighten pipes to prevent leaks. This lubricating factor also helps protect the ends of pipes from damage while you're tightening them.

To use pipe dope, you simply apply it around the entire end of a threaded pipe. Pipe dope comes in a container with a lid that has a brush attached to it, and you use the brush to apply the dope to pipes. The most common place to use pipe dope is with propane and natural gas pipes, as these pipes often have wider threads. As such, the thickness of pipe dope is better at preventing leaks.

There are many different brands that make pipe dopes, including Hercules, Oatey, Whitlam, and more. However, Oatey and Whitlam are two of the most effective and typically contain the following ingredients:

• Virgin Polytetrafluoroethylene

• Powdered Graphite

• Ceramic Microspheres

• Lead and Zinc

The most common types of pipe thread sealants are sold in a small can with a cap and brush that you use for application. However, you can also purchase it in a long cylindrical tube, similar to caulk, and apply it by squeezing the end like a tube of toothpaste.

• Quick and easy to apply

• No need to remove old pipe dope before applying a fresh coat

• The dope easily sticks to most pipe threads

• There's no learning curve involved with applying pipe dope

• If you're not careful, it's easy to make a sticky mess with pipe dope

• It's tough to clean pipe dope off of your hands

• Pipe dope isn't a good option for pipes with fine threads

Polytetrafluoroethylene tape (PTFE tape) is easily the top alternative to pipe joint compound, aka pipe thread sealant. Better known simply as Teflon tape, pipe thread tape, or plumber's tape, PTFE tape serves as a sealant and lubricating material. You can use it to seal the ends of any type of threaded pipe connections, whether it's for water, gas, or air.

As with pipe dope, there are many different Teflon thread seal tape manufacturers, including Oatey, Hercules, Teflon, Blue Monster, and Whitlam. Additionally, there are also different types of PTFE tapes to choose from depending on your application. PTFE tape types vary in thickness and are usually color-coded to make it easy to choose the right one for your needs.

• White - White is the most common and versatile type of PTFE tape, and can be used for any PTFE application. However, it's best used for water lines to create a water tight seal. White is also a good option for PVC threads, as it's gentler than other PTFE tapes.

• Yellow or Blue - Yellow or Blue PTFE tape is the best option for gas line installation.

• Gray - Gray PTFE tape is typically used for stainless steel connections.

• Green - Green PTFE tape is the best option for air and oxygen lines.

• Usually cheaper than pipe dope

• Readily available at any hardware or home improvement store

• Resistant to heat, chemicals, electricity, and high pressures

• Doesn't leave a mess on your hands or pipes

• Plumbers tape requires a bit of a learning curve

• You need to remove old plumber's tape before applying a fresh coat

Now that you know more about pipe thread sealant and PTFE tape, let's look at how they stack up against one another.

In terms of which option is easier to use, pipe thread seal tape is the winner. With pipe thread tape, you simply smother the pipe dope on the pipe threads in any specific direction. With Teflon tape, however, you need to wrap the tape around the pipe threads in tight loops. You also need to apply it with the threads so that the tape doesn't become undone as you tighten the pipe.

Both PTFE tape and pipe dope are effective lubricants and sealants for straight thread joints on pipes. However, the thickness of pipe dope makes it better for gas pipes, whereas PTFE tape is better for water and air pipes as well as compression and plastic fittings.

If you're worried about material compatibility, PTFE is the safer choice. PTFE tape is compatible with all materials, whereas pipe dope can react with certain materials, such as soft plastic, and can corrode the pipe joint.

It's important to note that there are code restrictions on both PTFE tape and pipe dope. Standard PTFE tape is approved for use with gas and water lines, as well as plastic and compression fittings. However, if you're using it with gas lines, it's essential to use an approved Teflon tape to avoid code violations.

Additionally, pipe dope is the best option for gas lines, but you can also use it on stainless steel and other types of metal pipes. However, using pipe dope on ABS and other soft plastic pipes can result in code violations. Therefore, as a general rule, you can use pipe dope on gas and stainless steel lines and Teflon tape on all other threaded connections.