Teflon tape on non-tapered fitting?

From my research, teflon tape improves seals on tapered fittings by lubricating and thus allowing a tighter fit—not (at least primarily) by acting as a taper itself. Right?

I just bought a wall-mount faucet and realized that the spout isn't tapered and in fact hits the back of the valve body without ever getting tight. Everything I've read says that the two ways to get a seal are (a) tapered fittings and (b) gaskets of some kind. But this product has neither. Spent hours on it yesterday assuming I just couldn't see the taper. Called customer service today and the guy was quick to say that it's in fact NOT tapered and that they recommend using a whole lot of teflon tape to make it work. I told him that my understanding is that that's not how to properly seal anything, and he said, well, that's what we tell people.

Is there any chance using plumber's tape on a non-tapered fitting can produce a reliable, long-lasting seal? I'm deep enough into the project at this point that if the answer is yes I'll probably try another half-dozen times or so before giving up.

FYI, the product is below. Hilariously, the directions simply say to put on the spout and say that I may want to use teflon tape. Ugh.

https://www.vigoindustries.com/titus...t-vg05002-2408

PS: Final question: Is there an alternative I should try? I trued some dope and it just squeezed right out.

 

Looks like you have little choice other than returning it. You can try using an "O" ring for the unit seat against.

I noticed 7 reviews less than 5 stars. In my opinion this type of product should only get 5 stars or not be sold at all.

 

As much as people say that teflon tape is for lubrication - I am a believer that it does help seal without a doubt.

I would try installing it with a few wraps of tape, followed with some pipe dope. If it seals, keep it. If it doesn't - then go from there. I wouldn't worry about it much if it ends up sealing well.

 

Thanks, all. Zorfdt, do you have any experience with getting a good seal using tape when it's not tapered? I think that's sort of the key here. And if you have, do you know if it succeeded in being leak free for a long time? B/c the plumbing here is behind the wall so I not walling it in until I'm confident.

Yeah, at this point I've installed and reinstalled it about 6 to 10 times. I've only gotten it to seal once out of all those times—and that was the time I forgot to put the escutcheon on first!! So I'll keep trying I guess.

Recommendations on a specific tape? I've tried the generic white stuff and now Oatey FasTape ("Seals Leaks Fast," lol.) The pipe dope I bought (RectorSeal T+2) didn't seem to help at all. I also have the blue RectorSeal, would you recommend I try that?

 

I can't say I have much experience with fittings that aren't designed well. =)

It's a tough decision to make. If you're really having problems getting a good seal, I would definitely consider returning it and finding a better made faucet.

 

Thanks, Zorfdt. I read your previous reply more carefully and suppose you'd already answered this—if it seals, it'll probably stay sealed about as well as anything else would.

I'll give it another go when I have a few minutes. Thanks!

 

Hi all,

Just wanted to give you an update. I tried again with even more teflon tape (used FasTape again) and finally got it to work leak-free. I think I did about 12-15 rotations at its thickest, lol. One note work sharing—I had to build the thickest part of the tape a good 1.5 to 2 inches away from the part of the threads farthest from the threaded end—if I screwed the spout on as far as it would go, it pulled the faucet body too close to the wall, and the hot and cold handles would then jut out of their respective holes and not be flush.

Thanks for all the tips!

 

Glad to hear you got it connected and working!