Using teflon tape on non-tapered joint

[Panamaniac]

Hi all,

First time on the forum as I've just started getting more into DIY plumbing.

Question: From my research, teflon tape improves seals on tapered fittings by lubricating and thus allowing a tighter fit—not (at least primarily) by acting as a taper itself. Right?

I just bought a wall-mount faucet and realized that the spout isn't tapered and in fact hits the back of the valve body without ever getting tight. Everything I've read says that the two ways to get a seal are (a) tapered fittings and (b) gaskets of some kind. But this product has neither. Spent hours on it yesterday assuming I just couldn't see the taper. Called customer service today and the guy was quick to say that it's in fact NOT tapered and that they recommend using a whole lot of teflon tape to make it work. I told him that my understanding is that that's not how to properly seal anything, and he said, well, that's what we tell people.

Is there any chance using plumber's tape on a non-tapered fitting can produce a reliable, long-lasting seal? I'm deep enough into the project at this point that if the answer is yes I'll probably try another half-dozen times or so before giving up.

FYI, the product is below. Hilariously, the directions simply say to put on the spout and say that I may want to use teflon tape. Ugh.

https://www.vigoindustries.com/titus-dual-lever-wall-mount-faucet-vg05002-2408

PS: Final question: Is there an alternative I should try? I trued some dope and it just squeezed right out.

 

[Mr_David]

If that's what the factory rep is telling you then that's all you can do.
Installation sheet isn't very helpful.
The spout doesn't hold pressure. Just water flowing through it.
Not in my hand so I can't really tell what hey had in mind.

 

[pcride]

Bought a moen shower head and diverter valve. The O ring gets shoved back up into the chrome extension. It would never seal.
Tried a new valve, different manufacturer and the answer was , guess... more Teflon tape!

The general rule is cover the threads with the tape 50% of the depth of threads, you probably need to go more.

 

[Panamaniac]

Thanks so much, y'all. Both of your responses are upping my confidence a bit here. Just to clarify, then—so the idea of "more teflon tape!" being a solution that works *long term* sounds possible to you? Or, to put it differently, is there reason to think that if I do it up with teflon tape and it doesn't leak for a few weeks, it's more likely to leak in a year or two than another faucet with a tapered thread?

Because the other option is I call it defective (which it seems to me to be, even if I *can* get it to work for the time being) and just go with a more expensive faucet.

Also—Recommendations on a specific tape? I've tried the generic white stuff and now Oatey FasTape ("Seals Leaks Fast," lol.) The pipe dope I bought (RectorSeal T+2) didn't seem to help at all. I also have the blue RectorSeal, would you recommend I try that?

Thanks again.

 

[pcride]

Yes just more tape and don’t worry