When faced with a pipe leaking at a joint, most homeowners tend to think there’s nothing to this plumbing problem- just a little tape, and the problem is solved. Only once the fitting is taped, and the leak is still there do they realize there’s more to pipe fitting and leak repairs than they thought.

So, naturally, they turn to guides, and how-to’s on the internet, hoping a plumber posted a video that will teach them how to do it like a pro. Another hopeless endeavor, if you ask us, following which a homeowner will decide they should call a professional plumber to fix the issue.

What Do Plumbers Know That We Don’t?

Although some plumbing problems may seem like an easy fix, it doesn’t mean we should try them ourselves. No matter our education or ”street smarts” and the ability to learn a new skill quickly, a professional plumber will always have more skill and knowledge than we do.

The reason for this is the experience factor. Simply put, plumbers have years-long experience fixing everything from minor plumbing issues to emergency plumbing disasters. And the reason why plumbing services sometimes come with a hefty price is that their expertise ensures you have the best of everything- the best fixtures and materials that will make your plumbing system last longer.

Factors Plumber’s Consider When Choosing a Pipe Sealant

There are a lot of factors in pipe repairs that will decide which materials your plumbers will use. This goes for choosing a pipe sealant too. A good plumber will check a few things before deciding on the correct type of sealant to repair your leak, and this is how you can distinguish a good plumber from the bad one.

So what are those factors? Let’s find out.

• Pipe material– galvanized pipes are sealed differently from PVC pipes, and pipe material plays a major role in the plumber’s choice of sealants.
• Temperature-is the leak located on the hot water supply pipe? If yes, a plumber will need to use a heat-resistant sealant.
• Pressure-every plumbing system is different, if nothing, then by the fluid pressure in the pipes. After checking the pressure in your pipes, your plumber will know what sealant to use for optimal results.
• Vibrations-if your home (and pipes) is exposed to frequent vibrations, your plumber may decide on a different type of sealant to preserve your plumbing system.
• Quality-not all pipes are adequately manufactured, and the same goes for fittings. An experienced plumber will notice a low-quality product and know what type of sealant it can endure. However, you’ll probably get a warning that the material you provided (more likely insisted upon) is not good, and they may offer fittings of better quality to ensure your pipes are leak-free for a long time.
• Pipe Fittings– the pipe fittings and the pipe itself play a major role in choosing the suitable sealant. Traditionally, the threaded pipe is sealed with tape to reduce friction; crimped fittings are a bit trickier and need to be precisely sealed and fitted to the pipe; gasket joints should never be overtightened.

Types of Sealant Plumbers Use in Pipe Fittings

Teflon Tape

A white Teflon tape (in most cases) is a non-sticking tape that works as a lubricant for the parts of your pipe that need to be assembled. The tape is sticky enough to assemble the pipe components easily and without damage to the threads.

Pipe Dope

Pipe dope or a pipe joint compound is used with any threaded pipe and creates a seal when connecting components. Its made out of kaolin clay, vegetable oil, rosin and ethanol, and a few more ingredients. Pipe dope, when applied, acts as a lubricant and a sealant, creating a water-tight and air-tight seal. The best thing about pipe dope is that it’s compatible with any pipe material and hardens quickly.

Anaerobic Resin Compounds

Anaerobic resin compounds create a powerful seal by filling up the micro-voids between pipe threads. The trick is to cure the resin properly in order to create a plastic-like seal. The proper way to cure the resin is to ensure it’s not exposed to air. As long as it’s exposed to air, it will not cure and, therefore will not harden.

So How Do Plumbers Stop Pipe Fitting Leaks?

First things first- before even starting the repair, a good plumber will ensure that the pipe and the fittings are completely clean.

Then depending on the pipe, they will choose a method, a proper fitting, and a proper sealant (sometimes even a combination of more sealants). Once they pick the right combination, the choice itself will make any leaking impossible since they’ll be creating a seal that is waterproof, air-tight, and, more importantly- durable.

Threaded pipes are fitted by rolling the flux clockwise and wedging them into the threads, after which you apply the pipe dope or grease in the same direction. This method is most common in fitting and fixing galvanized pipe leaks.

Pressfitting joints are impossible to fit without a specialized plumbing tool only plumbers use. We are talking about calibrated pliers that can pressure-lock the fitting and the pipe with some 20 tons of pressure.

Some copper or PEX pipes use pipe material itself for waterproofing along with additional tiny parts you insert into the pipe. No grease, flax, or rubber is needed, and you only need to tighten with a pipe wrench.

Finally, some pipes are welded or glued. This may be a time-consuming method, but it also makes the sturdiest type of joint if done correctly.

But no matter the pipe material, fittings, and sealants, a lot of thought goes into assembling a durable plumbing system, and it is not something you should try on your own. Instead, talk to a professional plumber near you and let them show you how years of experience and work in the industry can result in stopping your pipe fitting from leaking in no time.