Teflon tape, thread sealant, or PTFE paste for male PVC threads?

[redfishbluefish]

You're not going to like my answer.....NEVER use teflon tape on PVC joints. You want to use pipe dope specifically made for PVC.

Bunch of brands out there, but this is the one I use and can be found at HD,

 

[mfinn]

Good call.
The problem isnt the added thickness, it is as was mentioned above (unless you add way more than the 3 wraps usually called out). Tape adds lubrication and makes people overtighten plastic fittings without realizing it. That is why they dont recomment ptfe tape on pvc threads, not because it wont seal or messes with thread dimensions, but because it changes the torque required to get a seal and also keep it.

It was a mistake made by me. I accept that.
The paste is more forgiving IMO.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

You're not going to like my answer.....NEVER use teflon tape on PVC joints. You want to use pipe dope specifically made for PVC.

Bunch of brands out there, but this is the one I use and can be found at HD,

I love your answer!

 

[Red_Beard]

It was a mistake made by me. I accept that.
The paste is more forgiving IMO.

Lol, No judgment. Even knowing this i still use it... and break fittings every so often.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Lol, No judgment. Even knowing this i still use it... and break fittings every so often.

"just one more turn"

I use it when I know that paste and poor fittings are still going to leak under pressure. For non reef applications i use semi hardening PVC safe compound. Rectorseal 5 is not bad, though you can't use it with CPVC or ABS.

 

[Reefering1]

Recto seal... lol

 

[magallonbuckinbulls]

As a plumber we use pipe dope and teflon. Quality teflon tape. This is code and it always works if properly done.

 

[magallonbuckinbulls]

Proper fittings is also important.

 

[Tonycass12]

I use non hardening thread paste, at one point this is what manufacturers recommended for pvc vs Teflon tape due to tape interference with tolerances, but maybe that has changed but aside from being messy the stuff works great. Still have a little tub from maybe 15 years ago I have used on every salt and freshwater plumbing tank and I can’t think of any time it has had a leak.

RectorSeal T Plus 2 in. 4 oz. Teflon Pipe-Thread Putty/Sealant 23633 - The Home Depot

RectorSeal T Plus 2 pipe thread sealants are a non-setting, multi-purpose compound which contains PTFE, plus synthetic fibers to create a stronger seal. Recommended for use on threaded galvanized steel,

www.homedepot.com

This is hands down the best thread sealant.

 

[Joekovar]

Both work equally well. Pick the one you feel most confident you can apply correctly.

The vast majority of horror stories about either typically include phrases like "too many wraps", "was time constrained", and other telltale signs that they simply did something wrong, and it wasn't the product at fault.

I personally prefer tape. I can take my time with it, there's zero cleanup, and having been using it for 30+ years in all sorts of applications I just have a feel for how much to use for a given pair of fittings.

 

[PR_nano]

I use

La-Co-11775 LA-CO Plasto-Joint Stik Plastic Thread Sealant Stick​

The sticks are good too!

How long do you guys wait before running water thru?

 

[mfinn]

How long do you guys wait before running water thru?

Just as soon as I get the fitting tightened up.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

How long do you guys wait before running water thru?

Tbh, I've only done plumbing on new builds... so there's been a little while between plumbing and water

 

[BeanAnimal]

How long do you guys wait before running water thru?

No wait for non hardening products.

As for PVC cement - non pressure application (our use) you can pretty much glue and go to even though it may take 24 hours for the joint to reach full strength.