"RB" wrote in message
...

I have seen plumbers use all sorts of rituals for sealing threaded
joints and am curious as to the best way to make reliable threaded
potable water joints.

Those I've observed recently a

A wrap with thin (white) teflon tape
A wrap with thick (yellow...gas) teflon tape
The teflon tape augmented with RectorSeal No. 5
The teflon tape augmented with RectorSeal T plus 2
Just RectorSeal No.5
Just RectorSeal T plus 2
Permatex (black gooey mess)
Dry.

The pipes used have variously been threaded copper, brass, galvanized
steel and sch 80 PVC.

All of these various methods have been employed by licensed plumbers.
(And, some even leaked after a few days.)

Surely there is a consensus among those "in the know" as to what the
best technique is. Please let me know what it is.

RB

If you use pipe dope, just make sure it is Rector Seal. I used another
brand once; something in a tube and it said it never hardened . It was
impossible to get the joint apart a couple of years later -- I had to use a
hacksaw, and a hammer and cold chisel to take the fitting apart in pieces.

Best regards,
Bob