Putting on plumbers teflon tape is easy, but removing it can be difficult. If you are looking for effective ways on how to remove plumber’s tape from watertight sealant on threaded pipe joints, this essential read will guide you.
Plumber’s tape, isn’t the same as other regular tapes we often use daily. This tape has made a plumber’s work a lot more convenient and hassle-free. It is also easy to use and doesn’t need any special training or tools. However, removing the plumber’s tape can be a difficult job.
Are you a new plumber and wondering, ”how to remove plumbers tape?”
If so, we’ve got you covered!
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What Is Plumber’s Tape?
Plumber’s tape (usually called Teflon tape, Thread seal tape, or PTFE tape is a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film tape helps you get a watertight sealant between plumbing joints.
Step by Step Guide About How to Remove Plumber’s Tape:
Here is our step-by-step guide on removing the plumber’s tape with some common household tools. So, let’s see the guide!
Things you will need
As mentioned before, some common equipment and tools will get the job done!
So, you don’t have to rush to the nearby supermarket and bring some expensive tools when you already have most of them in the house.
Here is the equipment you will need to remove the Teflon tape are an old toothbrush, a wire brush, a clean piece of cloth, and hot water.
Ensure your safety
Although removing a plumbers teflon tape does not require any electrical work or dangerous steps, it is better to keep yourself secured. Expert plumbers can do the job simply with their hands. However, new plumbers should be careful while removing the plumbers tape shower head or faucet.
For your safety, you will need a mask, safety goggles, and work gloves plumber
Although many plumbers do not consider their own safety while removing the plumbing tape, it is an essential step. Using safety equipment will prevent any fine dust particles from going into your eyes, mouth, or nose.
If you have all these tools in hand, what’s left to wait?
5 Easy Steps How to Remove Plumbers Tape
In this post, we will learn how to remove plumbers tape. We will consider the various tools, materials, and come with an easy process for removing the plumbers tape!
Step-1: Gently remove the plumbers tape
The first step is to remove the plumber’s tape from one end gently. As the plumbers putty or teflon tape is rigid, lifting a tiny portion of the tape to remove it further can be difficult.
First of all, try to remove it with your hands. If the tape starts to lift from one end, you can gently peel it off.
But, don’t be too harsh or quick during this process.
Ensure you are peeling the plumber’s tape with gentle hands by peeling it back instead of ripping it off.
If you cannot lift the plumbers putty tape yourself, a wire brush will come in handy here!
The wire brush will help remove the top layer of the plumbers tape and act as a starter for the next steps.
But, a wire brush has thin and fine bristles. So, you need to gently rub the top layer of the plumber’s tape instead of being harsh in a hurry. If you become harsh and quick, you may end up damaging the pipe to which the plumber’s tape is attached.
Once the tape lifts a little, you can still keep using the wire brush.
Keep peeling the top layer with gentle hands. You might also need to brush it a couple of times as the plumber’s tape is sticky. If using a wire brush feels difficult, you can switch to your hands.
You may see some pieces left on the pipe after removing the top layer of the plumbing tape with a wire brush. You can use your nails to remove those too.
Step 2: Rub it with a rag
Although you have removed the plumbers tape from the surface, the process does not end here.
Who would like a sticky and dirty faucet or shower head even after calling a plumber?
So, as a professional plumber, you should ensure a clean and shiny old shower head after removing the plumbers tape.
If you don’t clean the taped shower head or faucet, it will cause problems in the future. The replaced fixture will not fit correctly.
So, cleaning the sticky residue left by the teflon plumbers tape is an essential step.
You can do this by dipping a clean piece of cloth in warm water and wrapping it around the pipe.
Then, gently rub the cloth on the pipe with your hands from left to right. The moisture from the damp cloth will loosen the sticky residue. In this way, it will become easier for you to remove it. Also, make sure to rub the narrow ridges of the pipe thread as well.
After rubbing for a few minutes, you will notice that most of the residue has become loose. Now, you can use another dry rag to wipe off any loose residue from the pipe. It will help remove more than half of the sticky residue.
Step 3: Get help from an old toothbrush
You might see some leftover residue on the pipe even after cleaning it with a damp cloth.
Don’t worry! An old toothbrush will do the job for you.
A toothbrush has gentle and soft bristles. So, it has fewer chances of damaging the pipe. But, still, make sure to use it gently.
Use the toothbrush on the areas where you see some residue left. You will need to keep rubbing it for a few minutes as the nasty residue is a bit difficult to remove.
Step 4: Wipe it again
After cleaning the pipe with a toothbrush, the next step is to wipe it off with a clean and damp cloth. Please don’t use a dry cloth for this purpose. The water from the wet cloth will moisturize the pipe threads and make them easy to remove.
As it will be the last step, make sure you dig deep into the residue left by the plumber’s and clean it off. Although a piece of damp cloth and a little effort will do the job, some people also use lemon juice.
Step 5: Give it a nice finish
Once all the residue from the teflon tape has gone, it’s time for the final clean look. Use a dry rag to wipe off the moisture and also check for any cracks. This way, the pipe is all clean and ready to use again.
Now, pipe is ready to use again and you can also apply a new layer of waterproof plumbers tape to the dry pipe!
Final words
Removing the plumber’s tape is as easy as putting it on the pipe with some valuable tips. Our detailed guide on how to remove plumber’s tape is all you need to work as a professional plumber!
