What is the difference between the colors of Teflon tape?
Teflon Tape Color Codes
White: Standard color for tape used in basic plumbing jobs. Yellow: Thread seal tape for gas lines such as natural gas, butane, and propane. Pink: A more heavy-duty tape used for water lines. Green: Grease-free tape used for oxygen lines.
There are two universal grades of PTFE coated fiberglass tapes, standard or ultra-premium grade.
Pink Plumbers
Just like the name implies, this PTFE tape is most commonly used by plumbers and pipe fitters. It is color coded pink to signify that this tape is a heavier duty tape than the standard white thread seal tape.
Standard PTFE tape is quite versatile and is used to seal water, gas, and air from leaking through threaded connections, most effective on high-pressure lines.
Yellow Tape
This type of Teflon tape is the thickest and once again does not need to be applied as liberally as the white version and can be used on water connections as well.
It creates dependable, leak-proof joints. Blue Monster is not too thick and not too thin. It was developed by Mill-Rose in response to the demand for a higher-quality PTFE sealing tape that is easier to apply. Blue Monster is rugged, not flimsy like most thread seal tapes on the market.
- Acids, concentrated. (see precautions) and Acids, dilute.
- Alcohols, Gasohol.
- Aliphatic solvents, Aromatic solvents, Chlorinated solvents.
- Ammonia, liquid.
- Caustics, concentrated. (see precautions)
- Compressed air, Steam, Water.
- Cutting oils.
- Diesel fuel oil.
The difference between plumber's Teflon tape used on water lines and gas lines is that the tape used on water lines is thinner and a white color. While that tape will work well on water pipes to prevent water leaks, the plumber's Teflon tape for water connections will not work well on gas pipe fittings.
You always want to wrap seal tape around threaded pipe fitting in a clockwise direction. In most cases for a new joint you should apply only two or three wraps of tape. On older fitting where the threads may be damaged you may consider adding a few more wraps, but keep the number of warps to a minimum.
Here's an example of where not to use Teflon tape (or sealant): on the flexible tubing connecting to a water shut-off valve, such as you'd have under your sink going to your faucet. Looking inside the line, you see there's a rubber seal. The rubber seal is self-sealing.
Can you use too much Teflon tape?
Also, do not use too much Teflon tape as this could be counterproductive and prevent the joint from sealing properly and/or causing the tape to gum up.
Pipe dope is generally stronger seal than Teflon tape, which is why plumbers and other professionals use it rather than tape for seals that are permanent.
Helpful? A: Yes, it is does. It is formulated for use on LP and Natural Gas. Blue Monster PTFE Thread Seal Tape has been tested and approved by ULC (Underwriters Laboratories) specifically for gas applications.
Oatey® Pink Water Line Thread Seal Tape provides a fast, positive seal for water lines, sewage lines and sprinkler systems.
I had always thought that yellow was specially formulated to resist methane and other natural gas additives, but an HVAC tech told me the different colors are just markers, so that anyone looking at a pipe can immediately tell if it's gas or water. Other than their colors, they're just the same.
Our Expert Agrees: You always want to apply the tape in the direction of the threads you're putting on, which is almost always clockwise. Wrap the tape about 5 or 6 turns, then add a little pipe dope on top of that before you put in your plumbing fitting.
Whitlam Yellow Gas Line PTFE Tape is a high density PTFE Tape specifically formulated for use on natural gas, propane and butane lines.
Yes, pipe leak tape can fix a leak. The adhesive is strong and can hold for years. While silicone tape is a temporary solution to a leak, pipe leak tape can be used long-term. Although it is still advisable to call a professional plumber to provide a more permanent solution to your pipe leak.
'Plumber's tape' (known generally as 'PTFE tape') is used for sealing water and air. As the name suggests, popular applications include sealing off pipes and water lines. Other terms for plumber's tape include 'Teflon tape' or 'thread sealant' because of its ability to get a watertight seal on threaded pipe joints.
The two most common colors/types of Teflon tape used are white and yellow. White is for water lines while yellow is for gas pipe. Yellow: Use yellow Teflon gas line tape on things like a gas grill, dryer or stove. Yellow tape is designed to seal threaded metal gas pipes to prevents gas leaks.
What goes first thread sealant or Teflon tape?
Go ahead and wrap Teflon tape around the male threads just like always. Then add pipe thread sealant as shown. The pipe thread sealant will fill any gaps caused by tape failures. It's cheap insurance against a leak.
Temperature range: -400°F to +500°F (-268°C to + 260°C) PTFE is completely stable up to +500°F or +260°C. Decomposition is slow up to 750°F or 400°C.
