PTFE tape or liquid / paste for compression fittings?

[kristeva]

Hi all

I often find using ptfe tape with compression joints quite fiddly for my old hands, particularly in tight spaces. I was wondering if the ptfe liquid paste is a viable alternative? Does anyone on here prefer it?

Thanks.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Joint compound

 

[Knappers]

NEVER ptfe tape! (OK almost never)
Always paste on compression

 

[rpm]

NEVER ptfe tape! (OK almost never)

Why?

 

[Knappers]

I assume its the same for others but whenever I see ptfe on compression threads it makes me chuckle and then cringe at the thought of the issues I'm going to come across.
It's the calling card of the diy plumber.
It's fine on the olive I suppose but it's not what ptfe tape is for - it's for threads!
(I don't really use it at all in favour of loctite 55 for threads.)
Incase you have used it on the threads of a compression fitting I'll let you in on why it's a laugh - comp fittings seal on the faces of the olive and the nut/thread are there to tighten those faces together. Ptfe on threads does nothing to help seal and just makes it more difficult to tighten the nut and arguably more likely to leak.

 

[rpm]

Whilst I agree about finding tape where it shouldnt be causing hearts to sink I do think it is ok to tell a DIYer to use tape wrapped around an olive when a DIYer comes along asking how to cure a drip on an old joint they have dismantled and reused.
Compare the costs, they buy a tub of jointing compound and only use it once for one or two joints then it goes in the shed to sit on the shelf compared cost wise to one roll of tape.