Best Soldering Practices?

[phishfood]

We have a different thread tape for use on gas piping systems here as well, much thicker than the tape meant for water systems. I do not know if it has a different formulation than the water system tape. I as well would question whether a thicker tape of the same material would be better than more wraps of a thinner tape.

 

[SlowDrip]

I don't know about the US, but here in canada I sell five types of T-tape.

1) White - Used for common water joints.
2) Pink - Higher density and more temperature resistant version, also only for water bearing pipes.
3) Gray - higher density rating again, for coarse-thread stainless steel pipe but with added nickle pigmentation that helps prevent galling, corrosion and seizing. water applications only.
4) Green - Grease free tape for use on oxygen lines, will not combust. (I have never actually sold a roll of this, but I have a case kicking around)
5) Yellow, for gas lines (natural, butane and propane). Highest density tape available.

Edit:

Just wanted to point out that these tapes aren't necessarily THICKER, they are DENSER.

 

[SlowDrip]

huh, i just did a bit of reading up on the types of tape around the western world, and I find it interesting that the UK does things a bit differently. In the US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand, the pigmented tapes I listed above are standard but apparently in the UK the tape is not pigmented and is instead used from coloured reels (and the colours mean different things than they do here). Maybe CHRISM can shed some light on this?

Also, I almost forgot to mention that there is a copper coloured tape similar to the grey one I listed above but it is NOT rated as a sealant, only as a lubricant. I haven't seen it for five or six years and had entirely forgotten about it until i saw it mentioned elsewhere.

Well, nobody who has ever done plumbing can claim it is not interesting

 

[Mr_David]

That is interesting. I confess - I use white tape on everything.

 

[Psycho99]

Chrism:

>>>MY Opinion is also that Pipe Thread Tape - PTFE Tape [Teflon]- is a Much Better Jointing Method than Jointing Paste [`Pipe Dope`].<<<

You have to watch those categorical statements, like all sealers they have their good and bad applications; get yourself some sharp fittings and see how fast the tape is cut off when you try to put it together.

>>>Here in the U.K. there is also a `Specific` PTFE Tape for use on GAS - This is a `Different Specification` to the PTFE Tape for use on Joints carrying Water - This Gas PTFE Tape is also much Thicker/ Different Consistancy.<<<

In most of the areas in the U.S. they also have a specific tape for gas but, there are a lot of people that chose to ignore it.

>>>The `Ordinary` PTFE Tape - for Water - is NOT allowed for use on GAS Pipe work Joints<<<

Just like my other answer said, but another problem is that some people use the imported (China) tape and it is extremely thin and shouldn't be used on anything in my opinion.

>>>I have previously Questioned their Findings relating to that point - As I wanted to know what THEY meant about the Tape being `Too Thin`- and why applying More Turns of Tape would not rectify that point - I received the reply that this formed `Part` of their Findings and was an `Additional Reason` for the `Basic PTFE Tape` being Prohibited for use on Threads for Gas Pipoe work.<<<

What I was told years ago when tape became common was that it would come apart and thin pieces could get into the gas line and stop up the orifices; if you ever took a white tape joint apart you can see where it becomes chewed up in little pieces, the gas specific tape doesn't do that, keeping it off the end of the threads would help also.

I have an suspicion that you have just as many people that ignore the rules in the U.K. as we do in the U.S., it doesn't look like the rules are that much different.

 

[CHRISM]

You have to watch those categorical statements, like all sealers they have their good and bad applications; get yourself some sharp fittings and see how fast the tape is cut off when you try to put it together.

When you wrap Teflon Tape around a thread then screw a fitting onto the pipe the Tape which is on top of the Thread IS CUT - The `Seal` is created by the Teflon Tape that remains in the `Grooves` of the Thread.

I DO know the correct term for the `Grooves` of the Thread - but I want `Others` to be able to understand exactly what I mean when I describe this.

With regard to the `Plumbing Teflon Tape [PTFE] `Shredding` if one Unscrewed a fitting from the Taped Pipe end - As I stated above the Tape on the Top/`Peaks` of the Thread is Cut when you screw on the fitting - leaving the Tape `Sealing` in the `Grooves` of the Pipe - When the Fitting is Unscrewed the action of the Threads `Strips Out` SOME of the Tape that was in the `Grooves`- hence you would see `Strips` / Threads of Teflon Tape - Unless the Tape is incorrectly applied when making the joint - Shreds/Strips of Teflon Tape should not enter the Pipework.

The different types of Teflon Tape for Thread Sealing that are available here in the U.K. are identified by the Colour of the Reel Cover - Generally for works that are not associated with Medical Facilities - The Plumbing, Heating & [Natural] Gas Industries would usually only use the `Plumbing` PTFE [Teflon] Tape - White Reel Cover - and the `Gas` PTFE Tape - Yellow Reel Cover.

Regarding Plumbers in the U.K. making as many mistakes as Plumbers in the U.S. - I do not doubt that at all !!

BUT - British Plumbers who work on `Legitimate` Sites which are `Highly Regulated` are not allowed to carry out work that contains errors - Companies on these `Legitimate` Sites will only employ Qualified [National] Tradespersons - Our Insurance Providers insist upon this - or - for one thing our Fire Insurance would be `Null & Void` - AND any Damage due to `Faulty Installation Methods` would NOT be covered by our Insurance.
The Site Supervisors and Site Managers - PLUS - the Engineers and Surveyors would ENSURE that the Works are carried out in the `Correct Manner` and to `Exacting Standards` of Workmanship.

I am sure that SOME Sites in the U.S. DO `Supervise` their `Plumbers` to a similar extent - BUT - when I have asked questions on THIS FORUM about U.S. Plumbers Qualifications - I was informed:

There is NO `Nationally Recognised` Plumbing Qualification in the United States. [I was told on here]

ANYONE can carry out Plumbing Work in some U.S. States - as long as the `Contractor` has a Licence.
This does NOT render the Contractors Insurance to be affected in the event of Damage [Fire ??] etc.

It is `Encouraged` for people to carry out their own Plumbing Work - I was told that for example
installing your own Hot Water Heater is considered a perfectly viable `Do It Yourself` project.

Obviously people in the U.K. DO carry out Plumbing Work - who are NOT Plumbers - THIS is the
MAIN cause of `Incorrect Plumbing Installations` - People with very little knowledge of Plumbing !!

People with very little knowledge of Plumbing in the U.S. - AND - the U.K. are the `So called Plumbers`
who make MOST of the mistakes in Plumbing.

In the U.K. what I write on this Forum would be `FACTS` - Completely `Unassailable` !! - Although this is NOT the case regarding Plumbing in the U.S. - The `Rules` MUST be `Different` in the U.S. - OR I would be Correct in what I have Posted onto this Forum - which I am told is not the case !!

I have to comment that IF people do not want to be `Contradicted` / `Challenged` about their comments / knowledge - using terms that are `Condescending`/ Designed to `Provoke` is CERTAIN to receive either a `More Detailed` Explanation OR a `Contradiction`/ `Pedantic` Reply from Me.

Believe it or not - I DO try NOT to be Pedantic - mainly out of `Politeness` - BUT - I CAN be Extremely Pedantic - IF I feel it necessary.

 

[CHRISM]

"Hello Havasu", Good to hear from You - Sorry to hear about the Shoddy Works that you have had done in the past.

I don`t have any real objection to `Unqualified`/ Inexperienced people doing `SIMPLE` Plumbing - although the `Simplest` of Plumbing Jobs carried out incorrectly could `Flood Out` a Home or Business.

People who have a lot of experience can carry out `More Technical` works with no problems - and their experience may have given them knowledge of certain Appliances / Tasks that `Fully Qualified` Plumbers do not have much experience of.

I know people who can carry out MOST Plumbing Works correctly who are NOT Qualified Plumbers - and they do a `Good Job` - BUT - I could NOT Employ them to carry out Plumbing Work under ANY circumstances - My Insurance Provider would not entertain ANY Claim where I could not PROVE the Qualifications of those involved in carrying out the Work that created a Problem.

I should add that I have never had to make a Claim for any Damage etc. on a
Work Site - BUT - even with my `Personally Selected `Workforce - [over the Years] - I realise that We have been `Lucky` - `Law of Averages` - !!

My Plumbers/Heating Engineers - all of who are VERY Knowledgeable - cannot make mistakes on my Sites as their Supervisors would notice during Site Inspections - If the Supervisors did `not notice` - one of my Managers would - AND - I personally visit every Site on a regular basis - THAT keeps EVERYONE `Vigilant` - !!

I have a VERY HIGH Standard of Work expectation from all of my Employees AND Tradesmen who occasionally `Sub-Contract` from Us are expected to create Work of the same `Highest Standard`.

As a Company we only carry out Plumbing, Heating, Gas and `Associated Works` - E.G. Electrical Works for Mechanical Services - Ventilation for Combustion & Cooling of Compartments containing Gas Appliances - `Making Good` after the Installation of Gas Appliance Vents [Flues] etc.

We do NOT take on `Other`/ Main Building Works - We Specialise in ONLY what we are Qualified / Expert in - Plumbing - Heating & Gas Design & Installation.

I HATE the idea of `Contractors` taking on ALL Building Works - employing anyone they wish to do ANY kind of Works - often with no Qualification - very little instruction and very little knowledge !!
Why would these people have any `Pride` in their Work - apart from wanting to remain `Employed` - ??

I am sure that You are a person that has Pride in doing a Good & Correct Job - I wonder if that is the case for the `Average` `Non Plumber` doing a Plumbers Work for a General Contractor - and NOT being paid anything like a Plumbers Rate [Quite Rightly] - ??

Obviously I am `Leaving Myself Open` for someone to point out that I should NOT state this kind of comment `Categorically`/ Generalise.

I have never meant in the wording of my Posts that people who have the `VAST` Experience of Plumbing that You demonstrate with your knowledge - should not be carrying out Plumbing Works.

I am sure that anyone who had You as a Plumbing Contractor would be very happy - and would have a very good and `Correct` Job done.

"Regards",


CHRISM.

P.S. I replied to Havasu - above - without realising from an Email `Link` that He had sent me a Personal Message - "Sorry".

 

[CHRISM]

WHERE HAS HAVASU`s POST GONE TO - I REPLIED [ABOVE] TO IT - NOW IT HAS GONE !!

 

[havasu]

Since it was directed to you, I chose to PM you rather than post for everyone's boredom.

 

[CHRISM]

"Sorry Everyone" - I somehow did not notice from the `Link` that i got by Email that Havasu sent me a Personal Message.

I Posted my answer - above - THEN noticed that his `Post` seemed to have disappeared !! - It HAS been a `Long Day` !!

"Regards",

CHRISM.

 

[Mr_David]

"Sorry Everyone" - I somehow did not notice from the `Link` that i got by Email that Havasu sent me a Personal Message.

I Posted my answer - above - THEN noticed that his `Post` seemed to have disappeared !! - It HAS been a `Long Day` !!

"Regards",

CHRISM.

That's Okay. I enjoy reading what you have to say. It's always interesting.
There's probably only a handful of regulars here that may read it anyway.