Can You Use Teflon Tape On Gas Fittings?

The only type of Teflon tape you can use on gas fittings is PTFE (Teflon) yellow gas line thread tape. PTFE yellow gas line thread seal tape is designed and manufactured for natural gas, propane, butane, oil and chemical lines. It’s the only color Teflon tape you can use on a gas line. Teflon tape comes in a variety of colors. The color of the tape dictates what type of line you can use it on. PTFE white and pink Teflon tape is for water lines. PTFE green Teflon tape is for oxygen lines. You should never use PTFE white, pink or green Teflon tape on a gas line because it will break down, deteriorate and cause gas leaks.

PTFE stands for PolyTetraFluoroEthylene which is another name for Teflon. When you shop for plumbers tape, it will be marketed as either Teflon tape or PTFE tape. It doesn’t make any difference which you buy because PTFE tape and Teflon tape are the exact same product.

The two most common colors/types of Teflon tape used are white and yellow. White is for water lines while yellow is for gas pipe.

• Yellow: Use yellow Teflon gas line tape on things like a gas grill, dryer or stove. Yellow tape is designed to seal threaded metal gas pipe which helps prevent gas leaks. It’s thicker than white tape and heat resistant.
• White: Use white Teflon tape to seal water pipes, dishwashers and refrigerators. White tape is thinner and designed to stop water leaks. But it’s not very heat resistant and breaks down easily when used on a gas pipe.
• Pink: A heavy duty version of white Teflon tape that can be used on water lines instead of white. But it can’t be used on gas pipe.
• Green: Used on oxygen lines.

What Type Of Teflon Tape Works Best On gas Fittings?

The only type of Teflon tape you should use on gas fittings is yellow. Teflon tape comes in white, pink, green and yellow. Each color designates the type of pipe it should be used on. White and pink are for water pipe, green is for oxygen and yellow is for gas fittings. PTFE (Teflon) yellow gas line thread tape is specifically designed for all type of gas pipe fittings. It’s also known as gas-rated Teflon tape or gas rated PTFE tape.

Yellow tape tape is known as gas-rated Teflon tape or yellow PTFE tape. PTFE stands for PolyTetraFluoroEthylene which is another name for Teflon. It doesn’t matter if the tape package you buy says PTFE or Teflon because the tape is exactly the same.

Yellow Teflon tape is designed to accommodate all gas lines, including natural gas, propane and butane.

The yellow Teflon tape used for gas lines is thicker than water tape so it can resist the heat and pressure of gas without breaking down. If you install it properly on a gas pipe or fittings the threads won’t leak.

Yellow gas tape is designed to handle temperatures up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, and as cold as negative 450 degrees.

How To Use Yellow Teflon Tape

Only apply yellow PTFE Teflon tape to gas pipe fitting threads. Do not apply yellow tape to gas compression connections. Any time two gas pipes are joined together by a threaded connection you should wrap the threads with tape prior to making the connection.

Apply tape to the pipe thread in the same direction you turn to tighten the connection. Wrap the threads in 2-3 layers of tape. As you twist the connection tight, the tape will lodge itself inside the threads and seal them.

If you apply tape in the opposite direction you turn the connection, the tape will unwrap itself as you twist. This will not create a tight thread seal and your pipe will leak gas.

Once you’ve wrapped the thread in tape, cut it with a utility knife. I don’t recommend tearing the tape by hand because it can stretch out and leave a frayed edge.

Turn off all gas connections at the gas meter before disconnecting or attaching gas lines to appliances. This ensures no gas will seep past a shutoff valve as you make the connection.

How To Check For Gas leaks In A Connection

After applying gas-rated yellow PTFE tape to your fitting threads, connect the two gas lines. Then turn the gas back on to your home and open the shutoff valves. You can now check for leaks in the gas line. Put some regular dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle with warm water. Spray the connection with soapy water and look closely. Look for tiny bubbles forming at that connection. If you see bubbles there’s a gas leak.

Turn the shutoff valve to the connection and the main gas line to off. Undo the connection, remove the tape and check the threads for dirt or debris. Reapply yellow tape. Make sure to apply 2-3 layers of tape in the same direction you twist on the fitting. Connect the fitting, turn on the gas, open the valves and re-test the connection with more soapy water.

Make sure you’re tightening the fitting hard enough. It’s possible for a fitting to leak gas if it’s not fully tightened even if you apply tape correctly.

What Happens If You Use White Plumbers Tape On Gas Fittings?

If you use white plumber’s Teflon tape on gas pipe fittings, the tape will degrade over time and gas will leak from the fitting. Plumber’s Teflon tape is white in color and thinner than yellow gas-rated Teflon tape.It’s also not heat resistant and breaks down when exposed to gas pressure. A gas leak is extremely dangerous and can cause an explosion.

Plumbers tape also comes in green and pink. Pink is for water pipe fittings and green is for oxygen. Neither color can be used on a gas pipe. If you use any color plumbers Teflon tape on a gas pipe other than yellow, it will eventually fail and you’ll have a gas leak.

Is It OK To Use White Teflon Tape On Gas Fittings?

No, you should never use white Teflon tape on a gas fitting. White plumbers tape is for water pipe connections not gas. For gas fittings you need yellow gas-rated tape. Yellow tape is thicker than white and heat resistant. If you use white tape on a gas pipe it will eventually fail and you’ll have a gas leak.

Summary: Can You Use Teflon Tape On Gas Fittings?

The only type of Teflon tape you can use on gas fittings is PTFE (Teflon) yellow gas line thread tape. PTFE yellow gas line thread seal tape is designed and manufactured for natural gas, propane, butane, oil and chemical lines. It’s the only color Teflon tape you can use on a gas line. Teflon tape comes in a variety of colors. The color of the tape dictates what type of line you can use it on. PTFE white and pink Teflon tape is for water lines. PTFE green Teflon tape is for oxygen lines. You should never use PTFE white, pink or green Teflon tape on a gas line because it will break down, deteriorate and cause gas leaks.

PTFE stands for PolyTetraFluoroEthylene which is another name for Teflon. When you shop for plumbers tape, it will be marketed as either Teflon tape or PTFE tape.

The two most common colors/types of Teflon tape used are white and yellow. White is for water lines while yellow is for gas pipe.

• Yellow: Use yellow Teflon gas line tape on things like a gas grill, dryer or stove. Yellow tape is designed to seal threaded metal gas pipes to prevents gas leaks. It’s thicker than white tape and heat resistant.
• White: Use white Teflon tape to seal water pipes, dishwashers and refrigerators. White tape is thinner and designed to stop water leaks. But it’s not very heat resistant and breaks down easily when used on a gas pipe.
• Pink: A heavy duty version of white Teflon tape that can be used on water lines instead of white. But it can’t be used on gas pipe.
• Green: Used on oxygen lines.

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