Any reason to use pipe tape on a washing machine hose?

[Sukhoi]

I've never installed a washing machine before. Given that it's garden hose thread, the sealing is accomplished mechanically through the washer/gasket. Yet at the hardware store today I noticed they were trying to sell pipe tape with washer hoses, and I've found a couple articles online saying to use pipe tape. Am I actually supposed to use pipe tape even though garden hose thread is not thread-sealing? What's the point?

 

[MikeMike]

there is nothing it will hurt...

just make sure you apply the teflon tape properly... i believe the proper way to apply it is in the exact clockwise pattern you will be screwing the female piece on...

 

[BoomerD]

Won't hurt anything, but isn't needed either. The rubber hose gasket should take care of things properly.
I've never found a need to use thread tape on any hose thread, let alone washing machine hoses.

 

[Sluggo]

I've never done it, although I can't really see it hurting anything.

 

[Sukhoi]

Well it could potentially allow creep down the line, reducing the sealing force on the washer. I think I'll skip the tape.

 

[DrPizza]

Also, if you got the cheaper "garden hose" types, they're not quite as durable as some of the other hoses for washing machines. The more expensive hoses are worth the piece of mind that your hose isn't going to burst in 2 years.

 

[Sukhoi]

Also, if you got the cheaper "garden hose" types, they're not quite as durable as some of the other hoses for washing machines. The more expensive hoses are worth the piece of mind that your hose isn't going to burst in 2 years.

Yeah I got the cheap ones but this is for a vacation house. It spends probably 80% of the time with the water turned off. If it was my own house I'd get some nice industrial SS that would last my life.

 

[Bartman39]

Had a nice chat in our shop the other day about Teflon tape and while it will help with sealing that is not its intended purpose... Its a thread lube to allow the threads of pipe to distort to the point they seal... Think of it this way put a pipe fitting on without and kind of lube and see how far you can tighten it... Then remove the fitting and use Teflon tape on it and see how far you can tighten it then... You will be surprised as to how much farther you cant tighten with the tape... But for non tapered threads it doesnt do much except in your situation it would help when you remove the hoses...:thumbsup:

 

[Howard]

Had a nice chat in our shop the other day about Teflon tape and while it will help with sealing that is not its intended purpose... Its a thread lube to allow the threads of pipe to distort to the point they seal... Think of it this way put a pipe fitting on without and kind of lube and see how far you can tighten it... Then remove the fitting and use Teflon tape on it and see how far you can tighten it then... You will be surprised as to how much farther you cant tighten with the tape... But for non tapered threads it doesnt do much except in your situation it would help when you remove the hoses...:thumbsup:

Generally, for applications where you would need to use some sort of thread sealant, you can also fit a wrench, so I don't think it's for extra torque.

 

[Bartman39]

Generally, for applications where you would need to use some sort of thread sealant, you can also fit a wrench, so I don't think it's for extra torque.

Read a bit here and take note of the last sentence...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

 

[Howard]

Read a bit here and take note of the last sentence...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thread_seal_tape

Right back at'cha:

The taper on NPT threads allows them to form a seal when torqued as the flanks of the threads compress against each other, as opposed to parallel/straight thread fittings or compression fittings in which the threads merely hold the pieces together and do not provide the seal. However a clearance remains between the crests and roots of the threads, resulting in a leakage around this spiral. This means that NPT fittings must be made leak free with the aid of thread seal tape or a thread sealant compound. (The use of tape or sealant will also help to limit corrosion on the threads, which otherwise can make future disassembly nearly impossible.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_pipe_thread

 

[Bartman39]

Right back at'cha:

Meh... Mine was first...

Funny same people but say it in a different way...?

Mine was written March of 2009

Yours was written in July of 2009

WTF...?

 

[DrPizza]

Didn't think of that - it's the best reason to use the pipe thread for those hoses: future disassembly.

 

[marvdmartian]

Didn't think of that - it's the best reason to use the pipe thread for those hoses: future disassembly.

And yet, you could accomplish pretty much the same thing by rubbing an old sliver of bar soap on the faucet (male) threads, before putting the hose on there. Not like it's sitting outside, for most places, where it will rust lock together.

Even when I lived in Guam, and had my washer & dryer outside for 3 years, in one of the most corrosion producing places I've ever lived, did I have any problem getting the hoses off when I went to move. You're better off just snugging the hose with some slip-joint pliers when you install it, and keeping them handy when you want to take the hose off again.

 

[0roo0roo]

just get auto shut off valve hoses