When selecting a pipe sealant for use on hot and cold domestic plumbing systems in the UK ensure it is safe for use by confirming it conforms to BS 6956-5:1992. Shut off the water supply, place a container under the water lines to catch any water in them, and disconnect the lines.

PTFE tape works by sealing and filling any gaps in the threads, no matter how minute they may be, that can cause a joint to leak.

As a product Plumbers Mate is more suited to preventing leaks in and around fixed objects rather than sealing up actual plumbing fittings.

Unlike many common tapes that you would expect to be adhesive, PTFE tape isn’t to the touch, but instead it stretches slightly and sticks to itself to a degree allowing it to remain in place once applied to a given thread. Wrap PTFE tape around thread: With your joint fully cleaned and dried, now start wrapping PTFE tape. Using a clean, lint-free wrag dust off any debris from in and around the threads of both sections of the joint. After you are done wrapping your thread sealant tape you can use a fingernail or the edge of the spool to chase the threads and flatten the tape.This is a putty-like substance but unlike putty it doesn’t cure so therefore doesn’t dry out and crack. Many of these names originate from branded versions of thread sealing tape that have become synonymous with this product — much like Duck Brand duct tape has become synonymous with many types of cloth tapes on the market. That being said we have found in many situations that despite not tightening a compression joint too much and doing everything that’s required to ensure a successful joint, the slightest pin prick hole can cause a leak and adding a little PTFE tape to the thread can certainly prevent this. Applying Teflon tape may seem simple enough, but since it has no adhesive properties, you have to make sure you wrap it in the right direction and in the right spot or you could end up with a balled-up mess. As you overlap the tape, work gradually away from the end of the pipe to completely cover the threads.