Before you begin installing the pipes under you bathroom sink, explore the options of different substances you may apply to your pipes. These substances help prevent future problems, such as leaking and water damage under you sink, helping you avoid extra work and potential property damage in the future.
Tape
Plumber's tape, or Teflon tape, comes in a spool like clear tape, but it is white in appearance. You would not apply the plumber's tape when you dry fit the pipes, or put them together to ensure that you do not need to make adjustments to the pipe setup. Instead, wrap the thin, white tape around the pipe threads before assembling the pipes permanently. This helps maintain a watertight connection between the pipes. Always wrap the plumber's tape clockwise around the pipes, since that is the same way you attach pipe connections, so that the tape will not peel back at all.
Dope
Pipe dope, like plumber's tape, helps create a watertight seal between pipe connections, helping prevent future leaks. As with plumber's tape, you do not apply pipe dope until you have dry fit the pipes to ensure proper fitment first. Pipe dope comes in a number of different forms, some of which look white and others clear. Pipe dope comes in a container with a brush that allows you to apply it to the pipe threads. Some plumbers and do-it-yourselfers may use pipe dope as well as plumber's tape on the same connections in an effort to create the tightest seal possible between pipes.
Cement
If you are installing PVC or plastic pipes under your bathroom sink, you may use PVC cement to keep the pipes together and make sure the connections stay watertight. Use a cotton swab to apply a PVC primer to the pipe surfaces that will contact each other, and then let the primer dry completely before brushing the cement on the same surfaces. Since PVC cement dries quickly, you must assemble the pipes immediately and hold them together for 30 seconds to ensure proper bonding.
Insulation
Insulating the pipes under your bathroom sink provides some specific advantages. Some pipes, specifically those made of PVC or plastic, may put off noises as you drain water from your sink, creating a nuisance for those near or below the bathroom. Insulation helps quiet your drainpipes. Also, insulation on the pipes keeps them from sweating during hot and humid days. Sweat from pipes may result in water damage under the sink and in the subfloor, as well as mold growth.
Tags: plumber tape, Pipe dope, pipes under, prevent future, apply pipe, , between pipes