Hard plumbing help?

[kayraw]

Anyone know what kind of material this is wrapped about the pipes?

It's not on any threads and looks like it's making the smaller pipes fit into the bigger sized elbows?

I'm trying to redo all the joints and not sure what this is, can experienced hard plumbers help? Also can I use the pvc cement over this material AFTER redoing them? Thanks!

 

[Heaterengineer]

It's Teflon tape used to insure water tight seal of the pipe threads


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[inktomi]

Yep, Teflon tape. You can pick it up at any hardware store for a dollar or two.

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[mcgyvr]

Its teflon tape as stated and its not intended to ever be used on plastic fittings.. Its for metal threaded connections only.. Some try to use it on plastic threads but its not a good idea.. Plastic threads should use a non-hardening thread sealant paste sold specifically for that material (pvc)..

Who hacked that mess?
Is that some attempt to adapt metric to "us/standard/imperial" threads? Yuck.

 

[inktomi]

I haven't heard that it's not to be used on PVC before. Interesting. I've always used it and never had an issue.

Do you know what the paste is called? I'd like to lodge it in my mind for next time I'm doing some plumbing. I'm sitting right next to my tank with Teflon taped joints right now.

I could see that perhaps the Teflon tape might put some outward pressure on the PVC and cause it to crack. Is that the concern? I can see how a paste would seal without making the joint more tight.

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[mcgyvr]

In general teflon tape is essentially a lubricant which causes people to overtighten the joints thus leading to leaking/failure..
More "nerdy" information here.. From one of the leading PVC fitting manufacturers..
http://www.lascofittings.com/threads

In general you are looking for stuff like this..
"thread sealant"..
Specifically states PVC
Non-hardening..

This stuff is ok..
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RectorSeal-1-75-oz-5-Pipe-Thread-Sealant-25790/100144191

This stuff is better..
http://www.supplyhouse.com/Spears-SB75-005-Blue-75-Thread-Sealant-1-4-Pint

 

[kayraw]

Seems as though it's being used to make Red seas pipe fit to a 3/4" elbow... is this really water tight?

 

[kayraw]

And if I use thread locker or teflon tape on the joints, do I still need to use pvc cement/glue?

 

[inktomi]

You generally don't need to use cement on threaded fittings.

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[kayraw]

The tape is on a pipe not a threaded fitting

 

[inktomi]

To the best of my knowledge, if the fitting isn't threaded you should use cement rather than Teflon tape or paste. On pumps, I've cemented unions in the past, so that it's easy to attach and detach whatever in the future.

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[kayraw]

Problem is red seas pipes are smaller then the 25mm-3/4" elbows I have so what do I use to make red seas pipes fit with a tight seal?

 

[mcgyvr]

Problem is red seas pipes are smaller then the 25mm-3/4" elbows I have so what do I use to make red seas pipes fit with a tight seal?

I'm not exactly sure what you have there specifically.. What red sea product is that?

But it seems like you are in "hack" land now..
I'll assume that its metric piping and you need to use it with US elbows..

There is no "good/correct" method to adapt them except adapters designed for such..

Welcome to the fun of mixed standards (metric/US)

depending on what you have flexible tubing/hose clamps may be an option too..

IF you could tell us exactly what you have then we would know what exactly you have there..
I highly doubt they went outside of all standards.. And if they did then surely they MUST sell the correct fittings to adapt it..

But whatever you do.. the teflon does not seem like a proper solution (or even a feasible hack).. Get that crap outta there..

 

[billdogg]

You can find various metric to US adapters at www.savko.com or at www.usplastics.com

I'm 100% with mcgyver on this - whoever did that might as well have used duct tape. Do yourself a huge favor and redo it correctly.

 

[Clowning_Around]

Looks like you have enough material thereto cut it back and cement on a new coupling or threaded adapter. If so, you could do a clean install from there...

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