I've had mixed luck with plumber's tape on compression fittings myself. Technically, the seal should come from the ferrule compressing onto the pipe, so tape isn't strictly necessary. But... I've found that a tiny bit of tape (just one or two wraps max) can sometimes help smooth things out if the fitting is being stubborn. Had a similar drip issue under my bathroom sink—redid it twice without tape, finally gave in and added a thin wrap, and it hasn't leaked since. Go figure.
I've wondered about this myself—if the ferrule is supposed to do all the sealing, why does tape sometimes seem to help? Maybe it's just filling tiny imperfections or something? I had a similar issue with my kitchen sink last year. Tried tightening it gently, then a bit more firmly, still had that annoying drip. Finally, I gave in and added just a thin wrap of plumber's tape, and it stopped leaking immediately. Weird, right?
Makes me wonder if it's just luck or if there's something else going on with the fittings themselves. Could it be the quality of the fittings or maybe the pipe surface isn't perfectly smooth? Either way, glad to hear I'm not the only one who's had to resort to tape when the "official" method didn't quite cut it.
I've had similar experiences, but honestly, plumber's tape isn't always the best fix. Ferrules are designed to seal without tape, and if they're not sealing properly, it usually means something else is off—like the fitting being overtightened or slightly misaligned. Tape might temporarily mask the issue, but long-term it could actually make things worse by hiding a deeper problem. I'd double-check alignment and maybe try a new ferrule before relying on tape as a permanent solution... just my two cents from past sink battles.
Interesting point, but honestly, plumber's tape saved me big time last month when nothing else worked. Maybe it was just beginner's luck or something, but sometimes the textbook solution isn't always the one that clicks... or maybe my sink's just weirdly forgiving?
