is it recommended to put teflon tape on a male threaded copper gas inlet line (for kitchen stove), before threading a female threaded cap on top of it? Will gas decompose plumbers teflon tape? Is there a medium that is better suited for joints in a gas feed line?
1/15/2004 Chipper Tank you!!!
Getting the details right for a wall assembly with the control layers to the exterior and lots of drying potential.
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Replies
Yes, some type of sealant should be used. Natural gas will not hurt teflon and it will hold up fine. Many pipefitters, though, prefer pipe joint compound ("pipe dope") because teflon tape is not as tolerant of poor threads. Make sure the dope is listed for natural gas service (nearly all are). A handy neighbor may have some so you don't have to buy a tube just for the one job.
Household natural gas pressure is much less than 1 psi. It's not difficult at all to get a leak tight joint. Check for leaks by making a few teaspoons of a solution of liquid detergent in water. After mixing, let it sit for a while till most of the foam goes away. Brush it on the joint. If there is a leak, you'll see bubbles form and grow where the leak is. If no bubbles other than the foam from brushing appear, you have no leak. Wipe the soap off with a damp rag.
In any case, brush the threads clean of loose dirt and metal bits with a toothbrush before you apply the sealant.
Chipper The reason that a lot of fitters don't use tape is that small pieces can break off and travel to a regulator giving expensive problems.Some codes forbid it
Most hardware stores carry a special thick yellow teflon tape made just for gas connections. Check this link-- 10th item down middle column
http://www.plumbest.com/searchenginevisitor.html?http%3A//www.plumbest.com/browse/14-PRODUCT%2520INDEX.html
Edited 1/15/2004 11:12:44 PM ET by Rev Ted
Edited 1/15/2004 11:15:18 PM ET by Rev Ted
Chipper,
You should not use any tape or joint compound if it is a flare fitting, as the thread has nothing to do with the seal.
Just thought I would toss that info in.
Brian
While you're discussing flare fittings...do you use teflon PASTE on the flare itself as well as the threads? I know about the teflon tape particles, but am curious about teflon paste in a flare fitting.
No, nothing on a flare fitting at all.
The seal is brass to brass in the flare itself.
The tapes and pastes are for pipe thread unions only.
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I have an old bottle of stuff a gas guy left me..a blue paste with a cap/brush..it says for gas fittings..works great on airhoses too..I have no idea what it is other than that.