How Does Pipe Leak Tape Work
There are two main types of pipe leak tape that work differently for different purposes. They are: pipe thread tape and silicone tape. Using each properly can provide a temporary fix to most fracture-line and small leaks.
No matter which tape you decide to use, you should identify the exact location of the leak in the pipe and try to shut off the water while applying the tape so that it doesn’t slip off.
Pipe Thread Tape
Usually thin and white, pipe thread tape is meant to be used on leaky joints. As the name suggests, this tape is meant to wind around the threads which a pipe part screws onto another pipe. In order to prevent water from leaking out from a gap or crack in the joint, disconnect the attached pipes so you can apply the tape. Starting at the base of the threading, start wrapping around the threads in the opposite direction of which the pipe screws on. Be sure to wrap tightly, up to the edge of the pipe thread. You should wrap around about six times, so that the pipes can still fit together without leaving room for the water to seep out.
Silicone Tape
Wider and stickier than pipe thread and scotch tape, silicone tape is meant to be applied onto thin fractures that appear along the length of pipes. When applying the tape to the pipe, don’t just put a strip of it onto the crack. Snugly wind the tape around the pipe. Don’t just wind around the crack, either. Start a little to the side of the fracture and tape a little more of the pipe than the cracked portion, so that you can be sure the tape will stay affixed.
Remember! Tape is not meant to be a permanent solution. If you need any help finding a permanent solution, then call Ohio Buckeye Plumbing at (440) 283-9377 to get in touch with a family-owned team who have been solving problems for people in and around Cleveland for over 20 years.