What Teflon Tape To Use On Gas Pipe

If you ever need to hook up a stove or dryer then you’ll have to work with gas pipe and some fittings. Connecting a fitting to a gas pipe requires some Teflon tape to make a tight seal. Teflon tape comes in a variety of colors based on what you’ll be using it for. This article is all about what Teflon tape to use on gas pipe and how to use it.

Whenever you screw any two plumbing pipes or fittings together you should use some sort of sealant on the threads. This goes for both water and gas piping. If you don’t then you’ll get leaks right through the threading. It’s because the threads aren’t actually that tight. If they were you’d never be able to screw them together. Typically the male end of a pipe has the threads and the female end the grooves. When you screw the two together there’s enough space for gas or water to escape. When you wrap Teflon tape around the threads before you screw in the pipe it seals all those little cracks and crevices where gas or water can escape. Teflon tape comes color coded based on what it’s designed to be used for. In the case of gas pipe what you want is yellow.

Ahead we’ll discuss what Teflon tape to use on gas pipe as well as how and when to use it. It’s important not only to know what color tape to use on gas pipe but how to properly install it so you won’t end up with a gas leak.

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Teflon Plumbers Tape

The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) dictates that all threaded pipe joints should use a pipe sealant. Teflon tape is the most common pipe sealants. It’s used on all types of threaded pipe connections and comes in a variety of colors each meant for a different purpose.

Teflon tape is known generically as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tape , or simply “plumbing tape.” Teflon is a brand name, not the actual name of the tape. Plumbing tape is easy to use and has a few key benefits.

It lubricates threaded joints as they’re being connected which makes it a little easier to thread pipes and fittings together.
Plumbing tape creates a tight seal which prevents leaks.

Plumbers tape comes in various grades which are also color coded. Your choice of tape will depend on the function, size, type and composition of the pipe fittings you’re using.

Residential gas pipe and fittings use the yellow tape. It’s easy to remember because yellow is only used for gas pipe. White and red are both multi purpose.

Plumbers Tape Color

Plumbers tape comes in different colors. Each color signifies what it’s designed to be used for. Just so you know the package and tape color match. So a yellow roll will have yellow tape inside, white will have white, etc.

The colors and their uses are as follows:

White tape has a single density thickness and is intended for water pipes 3/8 of an inch or less. This is by far the most common plumbers tape used. Pretty much any time you make a threaded plumbing connection you’ll be using white tape to wrap the threads.
Red tape has a triple density thickness. It’s for bigger pipes pipes one-half inch to 2 inches in diameter. Red tape is designed for pipes with larger joints, such as water distribution pipes. This is used mainly for non residential jobs or supply lines outside of the home.
Yellow tape has a double density thickness. It’s designed for gas and other fuel lines.
Green tape is designed for pipes carrying oxygen. It’s grease and oil free. We don’t use green tape in residential work very much but it’s worth noting that it’s an option.

These tape colors are for use in the U.S. only. If your reading this from another country you should double check your tape colors recommended usage.

Yellow Tape Uses

Yellow plumbers tape is designed for use on gas and other fuel lines. And that’s it. Don’t use it on water pipes or any other type of pipe connection.

It’s also known as gas pipe tape, gas rated tape, gas thread tape, or fuel pipe tape. No matter what you call it the tape is still yellow and the package will clearly state that it’s for gas lines and connections. The tape is designed to work on all gas line types, including butane, propane and natural gas.

Gas rated yellow plumbers tape has a double density thickness which makes it perfect for the pressures of a gas line.

Where To Use Yellow Tape

Yellow gas rated plumbers tape should only be used on the threads. That’s why it’s commonly referred to as thread tape. Don’t use the tape on compression connections or anything other than threads.

you should also never use thread tape on the female end of the connection which is the grooved side. Thread tape gets wrapped tightly around the thread. When you thread the pipe into the grooves the tape lubricates and seals as the pipe tightens.

Make sure you turn off all the gas connections to wherever your working. You don’t ever want to work on a line with gas flowing through it.

If you have to turn the gas off at the meter then make sure you light all your pilots when your done. This includes the stove, gas fireplace units, hot water heaters, furnaces, some AC equipment, etc. Anything with a pilot light will go out once the main gas line is shut off.

Testing For leaks

After your done applying the tape, connecting your gas lines and turning the gas back on, mix a little dish soap with water in a spray bottle. 2 or 3 teaspoons of soap is usually enough.Shake the bottle a little to mix the soap and water.

Spray the soapy solution onto all your new gas fittings. If you see any bubbles form that means you’ve got a small gas leak.

Immediately turn off the gas and tighten the gas fittings a bit more. Then turn the gas back on and test the fitting again. If the solution is still bubbling, turn off the gas, disconnect the fitting and check the fitting for dirt, debris or damage. Clean the fitting thoroughly, and reapply the yellow tape. Repeat the testing process again until you don’t see any bubbles.

If you can’t connect the gas lines and fittings properly then we recommend hiring a professional to do the work for you.

What Happens If I Use The Wrong Tape?

Many people ask what would happen if they use the wrong tape. And the answer is a potential disaster.

If you use the wrong tape on gas pipe fittings, the tape can degrade over time causing gas vapors to escape from the fitting.

Plumber’s Teflon is white in color and thinner than yellow gas rated tape. Leaking gas pipes and fittings are dangerous and can cause an explosion or fire.

Red tape is thicker than yellow and can gum up on the threads which won’t create a good seal. It may seem fine at install but over time gas could leak out which could also cause an explosion or fire.

Green tape has a similar potential result to white and red. A bad seal which potentially results in a leak and possible explosion or fire.

Stay on the safe side and do the job right by using only yellow gas rated plumbers tape on all your threaded gas connections and fittings.