Sealant for PVC pipe threads?

[mike550]

Okay. I know you're not supposed to use teflon tape to seal PVC pipe threads because of force / compression issues. So what sealant / putty am I supposed to use? Thanks in advance.

 

[mfinn]

This is made for pvc

Amazon product

 

[X-37B]

Really? I have used teflon tape for over 30 years with zero issues.

 

[User1]

Really? I have used teflon tape for over 30 years with zero issues.

It is a pretty heated debate. Similar to Ford/Chevy. In any case I use Oatey's Great white pipe joint compound with TFE. Messy but never have had a leak.

 

[special-ops-s2k]

Bill Wann suggested using aquarium grade silicone on the threads of PVC joints in one of his MACNA talks. I've done it ever since and it works excellent!

 

[redfishbluefish]

I also know that Oatey and Rectorseal sell pipe thread sealants....and these are available at HD or Lowe's. The Oatey product at HD is around 5 bucks.

 

[mfinn]

Really? I have used teflon tape for over 30 years with zero issues.

I used it for decades and pretty much zero problems.
But once a few years ago I pulled a closed loop pump out of service for cleaning and replaced it.
I used all new tape and applied it just like before, or so I thought.
Early the next morning I got up to go to work and found about 70 gallons of water on my kitchen, dining room and living room floor.
During the night one of the screwed fittings had split and started spraying water out. I guess it was fortunate that it was split on the bottom and not towards the wall.
Anyway it's a pita to do cleanup at 4am.
Since then I switched to paste for screwed fittings.
It only takes once.

 

[madlos123]

I use this for my african cichlid build. No leaks no problems first try. Its going on for 4 years. I moved the tank once no leaks.

if you use teflon tape and use too much it will crack your pvc.
For silicone, i dont have experience yet, I just dont want to take a chance if the pipe vibrates a lot, it might get lossen up? silicone and glass sticks very well chemically but i dont know about pvc thou.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

For anyone who is interested, here is some very useful information from one of the largest suppliers of PVC in the U.S. I always post this whenever I see any questions or debates about sealing PVC.

Assembling Threaded Plastic Fittings | LASCO Fittings

www.lascofittings.com

 

[Peace River]

For anyone who is interested, here is some very useful information from one of the largest suppliers of PVC in the U.S. I always post this whenever I see any questions or debates about sealing PVC.

Assembling Threaded Plastic Fittings | LASCO Fittings

www.lascofittings.com

@crusso1993 - great info! Thanks for sharing this link!

 

[special-ops-s2k]

I use this for my african cichlid build. No leaks no problems first try. Its going on for 4 years. I moved the tank once no leaks.

if you use teflon tape and use too much it will crack your pvc.
For silicone, i dont have experience yet, I just dont want to take a chance if the pipe vibrates a lot, it might get lossen up? silicone and glass sticks very well chemically but i dont know about pvc thou.

I was unsure about the silicone too... But Bill uses it on every threaded joint in his 20000 gal reef... It seems to work on his system and it has on mine as well. I've used that BlueMonster sealant before too. I'm sure it works just as well.

 

[That Crusso Kid]

@crusso1993 - great info! Thanks for sharing this link!

You got it! Good seeing your name show up in my notifications list. I went missing for a few months but recently came back.

Sending good vibes to you for the holidays!

 

[jschultzbass]

Great info, I'm buying the sealant now and redoing my taped connections!

 

[DarthSimon]

Teflon Tape for threaded... If you glue , the threads become permanent. If it can be permanent, pvc glue would be fine.

 

[mike550]

Thanks everyone for the help and info! Very much appreciated.

@90's reefer @DarthSimon -- I was heading down the path of using tape as well. But then picked up on the fact that teflon tape can create too much stress on PVC fittings -- and tape was intended for use with metal fittings that can handle more stress. I figure better safe than sorry.

 

[DarthSimon]

Yep, just remember if you bond or glue you will have to cut the pvc to get It apart down the line.

 

[madlos123]

the blue monster ptfe thread sealant is just teflon in liquid form. it will not glue it or bond it together. you can still loosen it up, move it, twist it.

 

[Johnd651]

+1 for the thread sealant with ptfe

On metal I'll use both that and tape

 

[That Crusso Kid]

Teflon Tape for threaded... If you glue , the threads become permanent. If it can be permanent, pvc glue would be fine.

NEVER use teflon tape on threaded PVC connections. Please take a few minutes and read the info in the link in my previous post.

 

[ironman187]

Oh wow, I had no idea. Can I continue to use the fittings if I replace the tape with sealant, or do they all need to be replaced?