Linen plumbing sagging. Thread sealing with flax. Which is better: linen or fum tape

When repairing a pipeline, the main requirement is the tightness of the joints. The functionality and trouble-free operation of plumbing, heating, gas and other systems depend on them. How is tightness achieved?

Most often, when installing and repairing a water supply system, a threaded connection is used - it is inexpensive, fast and practical. With just a hand wrench, the plumber can easily disassemble and assemble the system, replace the failed node. But the thread does not guarantee that the connection will be perfect, some other sealing component is needed.

What sealants does the building materials market offer?

There are several types of sealing materials that differ in cost, convenience and reliability of use:

FUM tape (fluoroplastic sealing material)
Sealing thread
linen thread

Among all the FUM offers, the tape is quite capricious in use, the sealing thread has good qualities, but too expensive, and only linen is an impeccable remedy that has proven itself over many decades.

How to wind flax on a thread?

In order for the connection to be strong and tight, the threaded sections must be cleaned of rust with a fine-grained sandpaper. At this stage, it is important not to damage the threads. Then you should check if there are notches on the thread - the laid flax threads are fixed with them and do not move when the parts are connected. If there are no notches, they can be applied with a file or a plumbing wrench.

The correct winding of flax consists of several steps:

Check the tightness of the connection with a clean, linen-free thread in order to understand how thick the winding should be.
Take a bunch of flax and separate a strand of sufficient thickness from it to obtain a tight connection. Flax hairs should be of the same length, without lumps, straw and debris.
Twist from a strand a loose tourniquet of such a thickness that it can fill one groove of the thread.
Holding the end of the linen tow at the edge of the thread, wind it in the direction opposite to the tightening of the nut. Each subsequent turn should fit snugly to the previous one. It is important here not to overdo it with the number of layers, there should be no more than two, otherwise the connection may burst when twisted or from hot water during operation. If the bundle turned out to be short, the winding should be continued with the next bundle.
Inspect reverse side winding and make sure there are no bald spots.
On top of the linen, apply a layer of special paste or silicone and twist the connection until the paste has hardened. The use of a sealing compound contributes to the durability of the connection, prevents rotting of the flax, and helps to easily disassemble the structure in the future. Sealant should not be used as a sealant, such a connection is difficult to disassemble.

The use of a sealant in threaded connection of piping systems is simple. This approach does not require the use of expensive equipment, and can be easily performed by both a professional and a home plumber.

In our everyday life, sooner or later, each of us has to do minor repairs, in which we need to wind the thread with flax. Most often this applies to a radiator or plumbing. Faced with such a problem home master it is desirable to have skills in the use of flax (tow). Such knowledge will certainly be useful to each of us.

It is known that pipes for water supply are made of materials such as metal, plastic, as well as metal-plastic and nylon. In all of them, regardless of the material, there are necessarily adapters for connecting other pipes. Below, we will talk about such joints, we will take a closer look at how flax is used for this.

Home craftsmen over time, sooner or later, may be faced with the question of how to wind the thread faucet. You should know that for hermetic connection pipes with water supply elements, there is a so-called way of doing work, “packing threaded connections” for which flax is used.

In the case where there is a need to pack two pipes at right angles with a coupling, then the best option would be at their ends. The coupling itself will consist of threads inside and turns on the outside. Just twisting them together will be incomplete. In this case, it is recommended to seal the thread for a competent and reliable connection.

Linen - pros and cons

Advantages of the material for plumbing work:

Affordable price compared to other sealing materials. But when purchasing, it is necessary to choose only high-quality linen. As a rule, high-quality material is supplied in a pigtail or loose coil. Also pay attention to the presence of lumps, they should not be.
It is distinguished by its versatility, as it is possible to carry out any work related to threaded connections. Accordingly, if you wind flax correctly.
Before winding flax on a threaded connection, you should pay attention to the fact that this material is able to swell, as it absorbs moisture. Such characteristics greatly increase the tightness, since the leakage will not have paths.
Also, this material has a high mechanical stability, which makes it possible to adjust plumbing without losing hermetic properties. The connections themselves can be unscrewed by a full turn or unscrewed by a half turn.

If you have a question about how to wind flax on a thread, then be sure to check out the available this material its cons.

Disadvantages when using:

Since the substance that forms its basis is organic, it means that it is susceptible to decay when exposed to moisture and air. They can get inside during preventive examinations. To avoid such problems, additional material is added to the tow to prevent the process of decay. Such an addition may be a sealing paste, grease or lithol.
In some cases, before proceeding with winding, it is imperative that you first carve, prepare, clean and. Most manufacturers of pipes and fittings make a threaded connection already fully prepared for further work, that is, under the winding of flax. On the threaded coils, special notches are made to prevent the flax from slipping along the threads and so that the flax does not gather into a bundle. If there are no notches, then it is up to the plumber to apply them with a file or just a knife.
In addition, you need to remember that you should not settle the material with a very thick layer, as this will cause damage to the joints, and this is especially true for brass and bronze.
If suddenly you are faced with a situation where knowledge of working with flax is required from you, then you must definitely remember that this sealing material from the master requires certain knowledge regarding competent winding.
There are a number of materials that, when used together with flax, significantly complicate the disassembly itself. These include and. In some cases, additions to this kind of installation procedure make it simply impossible.
Also, you can not use flax, where the temperature indicator can reach 90 degrees. Due to the fact that the material in such places is simply welded, while losing its sealing properties. When working with steel, it is also necessary to adhere to the required winding technology, since if it is not followed, the thread is subject to corrosion.

How to seal a new thread

Before proceeding with the winding of a new thread with flax, it is necessary to prepare the turns beforehand. Today whole line manufacturers produce fittings with already cut finished threads and with the presence of special notches for winding flax. You should be aware that on a smooth thread, the material will simply slip off and also bunch up into a bundle, which will certainly lead to a leak. The fibers will be able to catch well only if there are notches on the turns.

Such notches can be applied with an ordinary file and a hacksaw for metal or with a needle file. Some craftsmen use a plumbing key for this, and even pliers. To do this, the thread is wrapped around, and serifs are applied with a light touch. Performing this procedure, try to achieve roughness on the turns.

Before winding the flax on the thread, you need to separate one strand from the whole pigtail. Here it is very important to take the required number of fibers in order to get a winding that is not so thin, but do not forget that it should not be thick. As a rule, experts recommend just such a thickness that would correspond to one or two matches. If there are lumps or small villi in the strand, then all this should be removed.

Work performance rules

Linen can be wound onto threads using its own technology. Options may vary. So some masters twist it in the form of a tourniquet, others simply braid it into an ordinary pigtail, or you can optionally impose it in the way of a loose thread.

Additional lubricant (paste) can also be applied in different ways. You can, for example, smear only a clean thread and then wrap it with fibers. Then apply another additional layer. As an option, soak the fibers well in advance and prepare them after.

If circumstances force you to think about how to properly wind the tow onto the thread, and at the same time you want to understand exactly how to do it clockwise or counterclockwise, then it is best for you to listen to the opinions of specialists. Here can be used different variants. So some wind this strand along the thread, while others act on the contrary.

Be sure to press the end of the strand outside the turns with your finger and, making the first turn, it should be in the form of a cross, which will make it possible to fix the material. It should not leave any gaps. The coils must be laid one to the other. In the case when you make a connection, the used excess material will be squeezed out of the fitting.

But this is when you work with a steel coupling and an iron pipe. As for brass connections, it will refer to those that are made using modern technologies and under strong pressure they burst.

On the linen wrapped around it, you need to apply a special paste intended for plumbing, or any other material for sealing is also allowed. It is applied in a circular motion. This procedure should be done as carefully as possible. The other end is glued closer to the edge of the thread, and before tightening, make sure that the pipe lumen is not filled with sealing material.

After reading these recommendations, you have an idea about the winding of this seal. You can also see photos of such works in the article. But with all this, it will be difficult for you to figure out that you need to twist all the elements with a certain little effort. In the case, say, when the nut goes easily, this indicates that there is not enough flax. High-quality winding is when the linen itself does not come out, and the entire surface around such a connection remains clean.

You should also be aware that organic tow is not used for gas connections. The reason for this is that when exposed to gas, such tow and silicone used additionally simply collapse. It will be justified in such cases to use a fum tape, in the previous article we already wrote,.

Working with ecoplastic

If you have a question about how to use flax for this type of sanitary material, then in this case it would be good to use a special technology that is used when working with ecoplastic products. It is worth knowing that this material, like brass, can burst. It is important not to overdo it when working with him.

Before starting work, both fittings must be connected to each other while counting the number of revolutions. Flax is wound evenly and its entire surface must be smeared with additional lubricant and already, then it will be possible to connect both fittings. If you have counted idle 5 turns, then after winding the flax, it will be correct to make approximately 4.5 turns and, which is very important, you do not need to press it to the end. Best of all in this situation, instead of using a sealant, packing paste.

Often at home, craftsmen have to wonder how to competently wind the tape on a threaded connection old pipe. In such situations the best option, it is to dismantle the connections and at the same time inspect the thread.

As for the turns, you need to walk along them with the tip of a knife blade or you can use an awl. So you clean the threads of the debris formed on them, and this will help, for example, remove old paint from iron. Before winding the tape, carefully clean the turns with a wire brush until a shine is formed.

Video: How to wind flax

The debate about what is better to use as a sealant for threaded connections (winding) - flax or fum-tape - has not subsided for more than one year. This situation is explained by the fact that it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this question. For each type of work, either flax or fum tape is preferable. And often the recommendation of one does not exclude the use of an alternative sealant. If plumbers cannot come to a common opinion among themselves, then what can we say about non-professionals? But after all, even mere mortals sometimes need to connect something with each other. And it's hermetically sealed. Let's try to sort out the recommendations "on the shelves". On the properties of the fum-tape and the technology of its winding. And today our review is devoted to flax, or tow, for plumbing.

The content of the article:

Sanitary flax: cheap and cheerful

Linen is a classic winding. Sometimes it is called tow in the old fashioned way.

Advantages of flax for plumbing work:

Low price. Cheaper than any other winding. When buying, you need to pay attention to quality. Good flax is sold in a pigtail or not a tight bay, has no lumps, is clean (light in appearance).

Versatility. Suitable for any kind of connection. Of course, with the right winding.

The ability to increase volume in the process of swelling. That is, if immediately after the connection there is a small leak, it very soon "closes" itself. Flax fibers get wet and, swelling, block small leaks.

Mechanical resistance. The only material that allows you to more accurately orient sanitary fittings. It is possible, if necessary, to make a half-turn-turn back without loss of tightness.

But there are also disadvantages:

Mandatory use of related materials with it (lithol, grease, fum-let, sealed paste, silicone, oil paint). Linen is of organic origin. And like any organic matter, it has a tendency to rot, especially under the combined influence of water and air. And the air enters the water supply or heating systems during the repair or routine inspection, which should be carried out annually. The accompanying material is designed to prevent rotting.

Requires special thread preparation. Many manufacturers of fittings make the threads on them already prepared under the winding of flax. The threads are notched. If they are not there, then they need to be applied to plumbing (with a file, pliers, less often with a hacksaw). They are needed so that linen, in the process of joining, does not slip along the threads and does not come true in a bundle.

Requires care in brass and bronze connections. Too thick a layer can break the thread, cracks will appear.

Plumbing flax is the only material that is very demanding in terms of winding rules. In addition to the already mentioned preparation of the thread, you need to prepare the flax itself: impregnate it with related material to prevent decay. Then wind, observing the direction of the threads, that is, against winding. Bring the ends of the fibers out of the thread area, tighten and, holding them with your finger, screw the connection onto the thread, tighten.

The disadvantages include the fact that the accompanying materials (not all) prevent the dismantling of connections (for example, to replace part of the system, connect new elements or in the event of a leak). Silicone and paint stick the parts of the joint together so that the process of separation can be quite difficult, sometimes simply impossible. The same problems arise when separating steel elements, when, not properly wound flax (or without accompanying material), as a result of decay, allows rust to form in the threaded connection.

Which is better: linen or fum-tape?

When it comes to sealing threaded joints, the first thought that comes to mind is plumbing. When installing plumbing for cold water from steel pipes neither flax nor fum tape has clear advantages. The main thing is to wind the seal correctly. But when this water supply is mounted from or, a fum tape is preferable. Its advantage in this case is due to speed. Non-metallic plumbing is mounted faster than steel. And to reduce the speed of installation only because of winding (and winding flax is more difficult and longer) is not effective. In addition, the thread of the fittings is even and neat, and in such conditions the fum tape is more effective. But it should be remembered that when connecting fittings with a diameter greater than 20 mm, the fum-tape is inferior in sealing quality. In such compounds, sanitary flax is more effective.

Installation of plumbing for hot water and heating dictates its requirements. Including in terms of winding. In addition to the presence of water in the pipes, it must be borne in mind that it is hot. That is, the winding must not only be airtight, but also withstand the effects of temperature. Fum-tape in this regard has proven itself not in the best way. At the moment of connection, the fum-tape splits into fibers and they clog the voids of the connection, clogging the passages for water. Under influence high temperatures, which must be present in the heating system and are possible in the hot water system, these fibers are compressed. Often this is enough for a leak to occur. Linen is resistant to temperature.

If we take into account other properties of these materials, then it is worth noting the low cost of flax, even taking into account the accompanying material. Fum tape is more expensive. Not by much, but when carrying out large-scale work, this difference can be significant. But the use of fum tape, as already noted, increases the speed of installation.

There are also cases when the combination of linen and fum tape is the most effective. Coils of fum tape are laid with flax fibers. Or vice versa, one or two turns of fum tape are wound over a linen winding. The decision on this is not often made by plumbers, in view of the particular conditions of installation or operation of the pipeline.

And the last thing - winding flax requires a certain skill from the plumber. Fum tape is not so demanding on this process.

Photo: depositphotos.com

How to wind flax on a thread?

Before you start winding flax, you need to prepare the thread. The fact is that on a clean and even thread, flax in the process of joining may not be able to hold on, slide off, stray into a bundle. Of course, there can be no question of any sealing in this case. The threads should have notches for which the flax fibers will catch. This will allow the winding to stay in place and ensure a tight seal. These notches are applied with a needle file, a file, and if possible, with a hacksaw. IN last resort you can strongly squeeze the thread in a circle with pliers, the ribbed jaws will leave notches on the threads. Fitting manufacturers often produce threads already prepared for plumbing linen.

Then a strand of fibers is separated from the flax pigtail. It is important to choose a strand of suitable thickness so that the winding is not thin and not too thick. There should be no lumps in the strand: if there are, they must be removed. Some plumbers twist a strand of flax fibers before winding, someone weaves thin braids, and someone winds the strand as it is, loose. It doesn't matter who cares. It does not affect the final result.

There are two options for the next steps. You can apply an accompanying material to the thread, wind dry flax fibers and then apply another layer of material. And you can wind the strands of flax already impregnated with the accompanying substance. In terms of efficiency, there is no difference between these methods. The result will be the same.

In any case, you need to wind the turns of flax in the direction of the thread. The end of the strand is clamped with a finger outside the thread, the first turn is made with a “lock”. That is, it is superimposed with a cross to clamp the end. Then the strand is wound as tight as possible, coil to coil, without gaps. At the end of the winding, the end of the strand is glued to the accompanying material closer to the edge of the thread.

Most often, when installing and repairing a water supply system, a threaded connection is used - it is inexpensive, fast and practical. With only a wrench at hand, the plumber can easily disassemble and assemble the system, and replace the failed node. But the thread does not guarantee that the connection will be perfect, some other sealing component is needed.

What sealants does the building materials market offer?

There are several types of sealing materials that differ in cost, convenience and reliability of use:

FUM tape (fluoroplastic sealing material)
Sealing thread
linen thread

Among all the FUM offers, the tape is rather capricious in application, the sealing thread has good qualities, but is too expensive, and only flax is an impeccable tool that has proven itself over many decades.

How to wind flax on a thread?

In order for the connection to be strong and tight, the threaded areas must be cleaned of rust with fine-grained sandpaper. At this stage, it is important not to damage the threads. Then you should check if there are notches on the thread - the laid flax threads are fixed with them and do not move when the parts are connected. If there are no notches, they can be applied with a file or a plumbing wrench.

The correct winding of flax consists of several steps:

Check the tightness of the connection with a clean, linen-free thread in order to understand how thick the winding should be.
Take a bunch of flax and separate a strand of sufficient thickness from it to obtain a tight connection. Flax hairs should be of the same length, without lumps, straw and debris.
Twist from a strand a loose tourniquet of such a thickness that it can fill one groove of the thread.
Holding the end of the linen tow at the edge of the thread, wind it in the direction opposite to the tightening of the nut. Each subsequent turn should fit snugly to the previous one. It is important here not to overdo it with the number of layers, there should be no more than two, otherwise the connection may burst when twisted or from hot water during operation. If the bundle turned out to be short, the winding should be continued with the next bundle.
Inspect the reverse side of the winding and make sure there are no bald spots.
On top of the linen, apply a layer of special paste or silicone and twist the connection until the paste has hardened. The use of a sealing compound contributes to the durability of the connection, prevents rotting of the flax, and helps to easily disassemble the structure in the future. Sealant should not be used as a sealant, such a connection is difficult to disassemble.

IN Everyday life sometimes there is a need minor repairs where the thread requires rewinding. It can be plumbing, radiators, which means that sooner or later any owner in the house has to learn how to use tow correctly. Water pipes there are metal (galvanized or iron), plastic, metal-plastic and nylon (used for laying underground). Each type has adapters for connecting other pipes, such joints will be discussed. Hermetically connecting pipes and other elements of the water supply system is called "packing". For example, we need to pack two pipes at a 90° angle using a sleeve that is screwed onto their threaded ends. The coupling consists of internal thread(mom) and outer coils (dad). Just twisting them will not be enough: for correct connection thread must be sealed.

Plumbing tow is a fibrous material that is used to seal threads. It is a completely natural product obtained from the primary processing of uniform, thin, long-staple flax, which is extracted from the stem of the plant.

The scope of tow is very wide. Depending on the production technology, it can be tape, construction, jute and sanitary. Construction tow is a reliable way to isolate almost any connection. For its production, fully combed short fibers of flax are used, and it is supplied in bales. This material is intended for construction works for sealing seams, laying and warming log cabins. Being natural, flax is especially valued among those who build wooden houses. If construction tow is supplied in rolls of a certain width, then it is called tape. Linen tape tow is a material for caulking up to 1 cm thick. It is used for sealing seams and voids in log cabins, laying crowns.

What is used for winding? Classic variant- good old flax (it is also called tow or hemp), fum-tape, anaerobic sealants and Tangit polyamide thread.

There have been debates about which is better to use for many years, but a definite answer has not been found. The fact is that the material is selected depending on the type of work and can be interchanged and supplemented.

Let's talk about the advantages of flax for plumbing work:

the main "plus" of linen tow - its price - is cheaper than any other material;
it is economically spent;
its fine fibers are highly durable;
with proper winding, it is suitable for any type of work with any connections, including for sealing cast iron and ceramic pipes;
flax can swell, absorbing possible moisture, thereby hermetically blocking the path to leakage;
the high mechanical stability of the material allows fitting plumbing fixtures: without losing hermetic properties, you can unscrew the connection by half a turn or a whole turn.

The disadvantages of tow include the following aspects:

since flax is an organic substance, it tends to rot under the influence of moisture and air that enter it, for example, during preventive examinations. For this, tow is always accompanied by additional material that prevents putrefactive processes (sealing paste, grease, oil paint, lithol and others);
thread preparation is often required;
too thick a layer of material can lead to cracking of joints, especially from bronze and brass;
it is a sealer that requires knowledge of winding rules. On a whim, nothing good will come of it;
related materials in combination with linen can make disassembly difficult, for example, oil paint and silicone can make the dismantling process impossible;
flax is not suitable for use where the temperature reaches 90 ° C. In such places, it “welds” over time and loses its sealing properties;
if we are dealing with steel, then non-compliance with the winding technology can even lead to corrosion of the thread.

How to choose linen?

The main thing is to pay attention to the quality of the tow before you buy it: linen should be sold, not tightly tied with a pigtail or bay, be light color, not have impurities, debris and lumps. There is also a tow on sale, laid in the form of a skein of thread, from whose middle you can pull out a ready-made strand. The last option is somewhat more expensive than the others. Be sure to pay attention that the tow is not too rough and does not have an unpleasant odor.

In addition to linen, we purchase additional material. These can be sealing pastes "Multipack", "Unipack" or "Greenpasta", which serve to ensure that the tow does not deteriorate, does not burn out under the influence of temperatures and can be dismantled. The contents of the Unipack tube is a light gray non-drying mass based on paraffin oil with an admixture of natural minerals.

If flax is not treated with anything, the tightness of the connection will be short-lived. In addition, the use of paste allows you to slightly adjust the twisting force.

It is strongly not recommended to use silicone sealant in contact with metal, as it contains acetic acid, accelerating the oxidation process, and, consequently, the corrosion of the metal. Use neutral sealants. Suitable for various automotive, or designed to eliminate leaks of water, oil and other liquids.

How to wind tow on a new thread?

Before starting work, we will prepare the turns. Today, many manufacturers produce fittings with notched threads, that is, specially designed for winding flax. The fact is that along a smooth thread during installation, linen will slide off, straying into a tuft, and the sealing process will be violated.

In order for the fibers to have something to cling to, there must be notches on the turns. They can be applied with a file, a file, a hacksaw, using pliers or a plumbing wrench, grabbing the thread and applying serifs with light pressure. The main thing is to achieve a slight roughness on the turns.
Now we separate one strand from the flax pigtail. Try to capture as many fibers as possible so that the winding is neither too thin nor too thick. It is believed that its thickness should be as one, maximum - two matches. If you notice lumps, small villi in the strand, they need to be removed.
How to apply is an individual matter. Someone twists linen into a bundle, someone braids it into a weak pigtail, someone puts a strand loose as it is.
The procedure for applying additional material can also be different: you can lubricate the thread with it, wrap it with fibers, and then apply another layer; you can pre-saturate tow fibers with it, and then wind them up. Both options are correct.
Someone recommends winding strands along the thread, someone is against it, there is no single rule here.
We pinch the end of the strand with a finger outside the turns, making the first turn crosswise to secure the tow.
Then, as tight as possible, without making gaps, coil to coil, we wind flax.
Such a nuance: if you connect, for example, a steel coupling and iron pipe, then an excess of flax will simply be squeezed out of the fitting, thanks to its power. Brass connections, especially of modern production, will simply burst from strong pressure.
We take a small amount of sanitary paste or other sealing material and distribute it around the wound linen with rotational movements. We try to keep our work neat.
We glue the second end closer to the edge of the thread with accompanying material.
Before twisting, be sure to check if the pipe hole is clogged with flax.
We twist with moderate effort. If the nut goes too easily, then they put a little flax. If the winding is done correctly, the linen should not come out and the area around the connection should be clean.

How to wind tow on ecoplastic products?

Just like brass threads, plastic tends to pop too. Therefore, the main thing is not to overdo it. Before winding, connect both fittings by counting the number of turns. Then wind the linen evenly, smearing it additional material, and connect the fittings. If there were 5 “idle” revolutions, then make about 4.5 revolutions - you don’t need to reach the end. Note: In this case, it is better to use an investment paste instead of a sealant.

If, when tightening, you feel that it is very tight, disassemble and wrap less tow.

How to work with an old fitting?

If the package has leaked or it is required to dismantle the connection for other reasons, after unscrewing, we inspect the thread. At the "mother" we pass along the turns with the tip of a knife or an awl, removing all the accumulated debris.

We also pick out the contents of the “dad” with a knife, cutting off the remnants of the tow along with the sealing agent. metal brush clean the coils until a shine appears. With its hard bristles, it removes dirt, rust and sealant residues in the most hard-to-reach places. If the used thread is damaged, it will be useful to drive it on the "dad" with a thread-cutting tool, and on the "mother" to correct it with the tip of a knife.