Maybe fine for a garden hose, but I wouldn’t trust it under a sink.
Had almost the exact scenario last year—tried one of those “plant-based” tapes on a leaky hot water pipe behind my washing machine. It was supposed to be rated for higher temps, but after a few weeks I noticed a slow drip again. Turns out the tape had gone brittle and sort of crumbled away where it got hottest. Ended up with a bigger mess than I started with.
I get wanting to avoid PTFE, but honestly, nothing else seems to hold up as well, especially with hot water. I do still use the eco tape on outdoor stuff, like rain barrel connections, where the pressure and temps are low. But under the sink or behind appliances? Not worth the risk. Maybe the tech will get better, but right now, I’d rather avoid a flooded basement just for the sake of being a little greener... Learned that one the hard way.
Yeah, I’ve wondered about the eco tapes too. I tried one on a cold water line in my basement—worked fine for a few months, but then it started leaking again. Maybe it’s just not up to the job for anything with real pressure or heat? PTFE isn’t perfect, but it does seem to be the only thing that lasts under a sink. I’d love to find something greener that actually holds up, though... anyone seen any long-term success with alternatives?
I’ve had the same issue with those eco tapes—seemed promising, but after a while, I was back under the sink with a towel and a bucket. Maybe they’re just not meant for spots that see a lot of vibration or temp swings? I keep coming back to PTFE too, even though I wish there was something less plasticky. Has anyone tried those hemp-based sealants? I’m curious if they actually hold up or if it’s just another mess waiting to happen...
I’ve wondered about those hemp sealants too. Honestly, I’ve only seen them used on radiator jobs, and even then, it was a bit of a gamble. They seem finicky about how you apply them—get it wrong and you’re cleaning up gunk for days. PTFE isn’t perfect, but at least you know what you’re getting. Maybe the eco stuff just isn’t there yet for high-vibe spots?
I tried hemp once on a leaky compression fitting, thinking it’d be more “natural,” but I must’ve messed up the wrap—ended up with a soggy mess and had to redo it with PTFE. With pipe tape, at least you know it’s clean and quick in a pinch. Maybe hemp’s better for slower jobs where you can take your time, but for emergencies, I’d stick with tape. Just gotta make sure you wrap it the right way or you’re back to square one...