Same here, hemp drove me nuts at first. Switched to tape/dope and never looked back. Curious though, anyone had luck with those newer liquid thread sealants? Saw some mixed reviews online...
I've tried the liquid sealants a couple times, and honestly, results were mixed. They're convenient for sure, especially in tight spots where wrapping tape is a pain. But I found they can be tricky if you don't prep the threads properly—gotta make sure they're clean and dry or you're asking for trouble later on. Also, some brands take forever to cure fully, so patience is key... rushing it just leads to leaks.
If you're considering giving the liquid stuff a shot, definitely check the manufacturer's instructions closely. I've seen guys slap it on too thick thinking "more sealant = better seal," but that's not how it works. Thin coat evenly applied usually does the trick.
One thing I'm curious about though—has anyone noticed differences between plastic and metal threads when using liquid sealants? I've mostly dealt with metal fittings under sinks, but heard plastic can react differently sometimes.
Totally agree on the prep work—clean and dry threads are absolutely critical. I've seen plenty of leaks happen just because someone skipped that step or rushed it. A few extra minutes spent cleaning threads with a wire brush or even a bit of rubbing alcohol can save hours of frustration later.
Couple things I'd add from experience:
- Definitely noticed differences between plastic and metal threads. Plastic fittings tend to be more sensitive to overtightening, especially when using liquid sealants. The sealant can act as a lubricant, making it easy to accidentally crank down too hard and crack the fitting. Metal threads are more forgiving in that sense, but you still gotta be careful not to overdo it.
- With plastic fittings, I usually prefer a good quality PTFE tape instead of liquid sealants. Tape gives you a bit more control over how tight you're going, and it's less messy overall. But if you do go liquid on plastic, make sure it's specifically rated for plastic fittings—some sealants contain solvents that can weaken or degrade certain plastics over time.
- Cure times are definitely something to watch out for. I've had customers call me back because they turned the water back on too soon after applying liquid sealant. Even if the instructions say "ready in 30 minutes," I usually recommend waiting at least double that time before pressurizing the line again. Better safe than sorry.
One last thing—temperature matters too. If you're working in a cold basement or garage, curing times can stretch way longer than what's listed on the bottle. Learned that one the hard way on a winter job... ended up having to redo the whole thing because it never fully cured in the cold.
Anyway, just my two cents from dealing with these headaches regularly. Hope you get that leak sorted soon—nothing worse than chasing drips under a kitchen sink.
Great points here, especially about the temperature issue. I remember doing a quick fix on a pipe in my garage one winter and thinking I was good to go after an hour or two. Nope... came back the next morning to a nice little puddle and had to redo everything from scratch. Lesson learned the chilly way.
Also, totally agree about PTFE tape for plastic fittings—way less messy and easier to handle. But I've had mixed results with tape brands. Some of the cheaper stuff seems thinner and doesn't seal as well, so now I stick with the thicker, better-quality tape even if it costs a bit more.
Speaking of overtightening, anyone else find that plastic fittings can be sneaky? Feels like they're barely snug, then suddenly—crack—you're off to the hardware store again. Metal threads at least give you some warning before things go sideways.
Curious though, has anyone tried those newer thread-sealing cords instead of tape or liquid sealants? Seen them around but haven't tested them myself yet...
I've had similar experiences with plastic fittings—it's like there's no middle ground between "just snug enough" and "oops, cracked it." Metal fittings definitely give you a bit more feedback before things go south. About those sealing cords, I gave them a shot last summer on an outdoor faucet repair. They seemed pretty straightforward to use and held up nicely so far, but I'm still not totally convinced they're better than quality tape. Might need more testing...
