Sealing Black Iron Pipe Joints Video
VIDEO SUMMARY
This pipe has threaded fittings at the connection point which need to be sealed with pipe dope or Teflon tape. The machined threads are not perfect, thus the need for sealing. Teflon tape should be wrapped onto the male end of the pipe in a clockwise direction when looking at down the end of the pipe. Once the Teflon tape is in place, screw the joint together. After hand tightening, use pipe wrenches to complete the assembly.
An alternative method of sealing pipe joints is the use of pipe dope. Pipe dope has the consistency of mashed potatoes. You just paint in on to the male threads of the pipe. Then, screw the parts together and tighten with pipe wrenches.
Two cautions! Do not put any pipe dope inside the black iron pipe and do not put Teflon tape inside the pipe either. Secondly, be sure to use those pipe wrenches to fully tighten the joint. Hand tightening alone will not work.
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COMMENTS
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Jeffpicks 22 Mar 2009, 20:32
Sorry Tim... tape and dope are NOT sealants, they are LUBRICANTS. The SEAL
is supposed to be made in the threads, METAL TO METAL... and you used WAY
TOO MUCH teflon tape... ONE WRAP is more than enough.
Roger 31 Mar 2009, 08:26
Tape and dope are both a sealant and a lubricant. The machined threads are
not always perfect. The dope fills in the voids in the threads sealing the
fitting.
Fred 15 Feb 2010, 12:16
If one wrap is more than enough, then what's enough? 1/2 wrap?
Doesn't make sense.
jeffpicks 29 Sep 2011, 16:32
If one wrap is too much, then what's enough? NONE! Get it?
Roger is right that the threads aren't always perfect... especially that chinese crap they sell at the big box stores. Always inspect the threads on any piece you buy. If it's all banged up, reject it. I could go on and on, but I won't. Ask any PROFESSIONAL pipe fitter if he uses teflon tape at all... I think you will get way more NO they YES!
jeffp 29 Sep 2011, 16:37
One more parting shot...
When applying either tape or dope do NOT apply ANY onto the first two threads of the MALE fitting because due to the fact that the fittings are tapered, THIS is where the METAL TO METAL seal would be made. You don't want anything interfering with that. View all comments |
