Features and rules for the use of sanitary flax. The traditional material in the new workshop is sanitary flax How much flax to wrap around the threaded connection

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, quick and practical. With just a wrench at hand, the plumber can easily disassemble and assemble the system, replace the failed unit. But the thread does not guarantee that the connection will be perfect, some other sealing component is needed.

What seals 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 application, the sealing thread has good qualities, but it is too expensive, and only flax is an impeccable tool that has proven itself for many decades.

How to properly wind flax onto threads?

In order for the connection to be strong and tight, the threaded sections must be cleaned of rust using fine-grained emery paper. It is important at this stage not to damage the threads. Then you should check if there are notches on the threads - with them the laid flax threads are fixed 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.

Correct winding of flax consists of several steps:

Check the tightness of the connection with a clean, flax-free thread in order to understand how thick the winding should be done.
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, free of lumps, straw and debris.
Twist a loose strand from the strand of such a thickness that it can fill one groove of the thread.
Holding the end of the linen cord at the edge of the thread, wind it in the opposite direction of tightening 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 of them, otherwise the connection may burst when twisted or from hot water during operation. If the bundle is short, 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 flax, apply a layer of special paste or silicone and tighten the joint until the paste hardens. The use of a sealing compound contributes to the durability of the connection, prevents flax rot, helps to easily disassemble the structure in the future. Do not use a sealant as a seal, such a connection is difficult to disassemble.

Disputes about what is better to use as a sealant for threaded connections (winding) - flax or fum tape - do not subside 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 seal. If plumbers can't come to a common opinion among themselves, what can we say about non-professionals? But even ordinary mortals sometimes need to connect something with each other. Moreover, it is hermetically sealed. Let's try to sort out the recommendations "on the shelves." About the properties of fum-tape and the technology of its winding. And today our review is devoted to flax, or oakle, for plumbing.

The content of the article:

Sanitary linen: cheap and cheerful

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

Advantages of flax for plumbing work:

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

Versatility. Suitable for any kind of connection. With proper winding, of course.

Ability to increase volume during swelling. That is, if there is a small leak immediately after the connection, it "closes" itself very soon. Flax fibers get wet and, swelling, blocks small leaks.

Mechanical durability. The only material that allows you to more accurately orient plumbing fixtures. You can, if necessary, make a half turn-turn back without loss of tightness.

But there are also disadvantages:

Mandatory use of accompanying materials with it (lithol, solid oil, fum-let, hermetic paste, silicone, oil paint). Flax 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 preventive 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 for winding with flax. The threads are notched. If they are not there, then they need to be applied to the plumbing (with a file, pliers, less often with a hacksaw for metal). They are needed so that flax does not slip along the threads during the connection process and does not come true in a bundle.

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

Plumbing linen is the only material that is very picky about winding rules. In addition to the already mentioned preparation of the thread, you need to prepare the flax itself: soak it with an accompanying material to prevent rotting. Then wind up, observing the direction of the threads, that is, against winding. Pull the ends of the fibers outside the thread area, pull 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 the connections (for example, to replace a part of the system, connect new elements or in the event of a leak). Silicone and paint adhere the parts of the joint to each other in such a way that the separation process can be quite difficult, sometimes simply impossible. The same problems arise when separating steel elements, when improperly wound flax (or without accompanying material), as a result of decay, allows the occurrence of rust in the threaded joint.

Which is better: flax or fum tape?

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

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

If we take into account the 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 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 a combination of flax and fum tape is the most effective. The loops of the 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 about this is made by plumbers not often, in view of the peculiarities of the conditions of installation or operation of the pipeline.

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

Photo: depositphotos.com

How to wind flax onto threads?

Before you start winding the flax, you need to prepare the thread. The fact is that on a clean and even thread, flax during the connection process may not hold, slide, stray into a bundle. Of course, in this case, there can be no question of any kind of sealing. The threads should be jagged for the flax fibers to catch. This will allow the reel to stay in place and seal. These notches are applied with a file, a file, and, if possible, with a hacksaw for metal. In extreme cases, you can squeeze the thread tightly in a circle with pliers, the ribbed jaws will leave jagged edges on the threads. Fitting manufacturers often produce threads already prepared for plumbing flax.

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

Then there are two options for subsequent actions. You can apply a companion material to the threads, wind up dry flax fibers and then apply another layer of the material. And you can wind up flax strands already impregnated with a concomitant substance. In terms of efficiency, there is no difference between these methods. The result will be the same.

In any case, it is necessary 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 applied with a cross to clamp the end. Then the strand is wound as tightly as possible, turn to turn, 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.

Some people ask: what is the best for thread sealing, fluoroplastic sealing material (FUM tape) or sanitary tow? This dispute has been going on for a long time, because it is impossible to give an exact answer.

For each specific type of procedure, its own material is suitable. And each piece can be a great alternative to another. But the goal is one - to make the connection tight. Therefore, let's look at the plumbing tow, its technical characteristics, as well as the process of winding it.

Linen is a popular winding material. The outdated name is tow. Linen is an environmentally friendly material that does not pose any harm to human health. The product does not require certification, therefore, potable water pipelines can be sealed.

The additional material that is also needed for the impregnation of sanitary tow is environmentally friendly. Thanks to the impregnation, this material will last a fairly long period of time. Linen is a generally available product. The product is sold in absolutely any plumbing store, so it will not be difficult to find it.

Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of this material in detail.

Flax benefits

The advantages of this product:

Low cost. Oakum has the smallest price tag in comparison with other rolls. Therefore, during the purchase, it is better to pay attention to the quality of the sanitary tow. If flax is sold in the form of a pigtail, then this is a quality material. If in the form of a tight bay, then this indicates a low quality.
Versatility in use. It can be used for any kind of connection, if the winding is carried out correctly.
During swelling, the volume of the roll becomes larger. This means that if the connection begins to leak, then the material will immediately close everything. Small leaks will be closed.
Resistance to mechanical stress. Only flax allows you to orient the plumbing fixtures more accurately. You can make one turn back without losing the tightness.

Disadvantages of flax

There are also disadvantages:

In addition to tow, it is necessary to use other means, for example, solid oil, sealed paste, silicone and other products. If flax is an organic material, it can rot due to the influence of water and air. Air gets in during repairs or maintenance, which must be carried out every year. And the listed products can interfere with this process.
It is necessary to carry out preliminary preparation of the thread. Most of the manufacturers who produce fittings make pre-prepared plumbing tow threads. It has notches. If they are absent, then they must be created. This can be done using pliers, a file or a hacksaw. They are necessary so that the plumbing material cannot slide along the turns.
If the joints are made of brass or bronze, then work must be done carefully and carefully during winding. If you apply a thick layer of winding to such connections, then defects will appear on the threads. It may even break the thread.
Strict rules must be followed when winding this organic material. In addition to the thread, you must first prepare the plumbing material itself. It is necessary to impregnate it with some substance to prevent future decay. You need to wind up, observing the direction. Wraps up against winding. The ends of the flax must be brought out of the thread, then they should be pulled. Hold with your finger and wrap.
It is also worth noting that the additional materials indicated above do not prevent the destruction of the connection. If you use silicone to glue different connection elements, then it will be extremely difficult and even impossible to separate them later. If flax is used without the use of additional materials, then rust appears on the winding, which will transfer to steel.

Comparison with FUM tape

Sealing implies the sealing of the water supply system. If it is necessary to seal pipes for cold water, then in this case flax and tape are equally suitable. You just need to carry out the winding correctly. But if it is necessary to seal pipes made of plastic or metal-plastic, then it is better to opt for FUM tape.

The main advantage is that with the tape, the work will go much faster, since the installation is quite easy. Also, the thread at the fittings is even, so the use of plumbing tape will be much more effective.

However, fum tape loses its effectiveness if it is necessary to seal a pipe with a diameter of more than 20 millimeters. Flax should be used for pipes with this diameter.

The hot water piping sets its own conditions. The product must not only have excellent sealing properties, but also have good resistance to high temperatures. Fluoroplastic sealing material (fum tape) in this situation is not the best option.

During winding, the FUM tape splits into fibers, which fill all voids, thereby preventing the penetration of water. The high temperature of the water can affect the fibers so that they begin to shrink, eventually leading to leakage. Tow has a high level of resistance to hot water.

Also, do not forget about the low price of tow, even with the use of additional materials. Plumbing tape is an expensive reel. If you need to carry out large volumes of work, then you will feel a significant difference in cost. But installation is much easier and faster with the use of fum tape.

It may be that you need a combination of two plumbing materials. FUM tape turns can be laid using tow fibers. Or in a completely different way, that is, two turns of plumbing tape can be wound from the top of the tow. This procedure is rarely practiced due to the distinctive features of mounting.

Mounting a linen product requires certain skills from a person. Installation of PTFE sealing material can be performed even by a beginner.

The procedure for winding sanitary tow

How to wind tow on a thread? Before winding tow, it is necessary to make preliminary preparation of the thread. Since the surface of the thread is most often flat, the winding will begin to creep and bunch up. And sealing is not possible. The threads should have notches so that the fibers can catch on the threaded surface. The rewinder will not slip and will provide a high-quality seal.

You can make such notches or notches with a file or file. If you do not have these tools, then you can use pliers. With the help of them it is necessary to squeeze the thread in a circle. But it is better to purchase a thread on which manufacturers have already made notches.

Then it is necessary to separate a strand of fibers from the pigtail. Choose a strand that will match the thickness. The material should not be too thick, but not too thin. The strand of fibers should not have lumps. If there are lumps, they must be eliminated. The winding process can take place in different ways.

Many experts twist the product before winding, others braid thin pigtails, and some wind it loosely. It depends on the person himself. The grand total will be the same.

You can first apply additional material to the thread, then wind the dry fibers of the strand and then apply one layer of the product. Winding can be carried out immediately with the impregnated product. The result will also be the same. It depends on the convenience.

How to properly wind tow? In any option chosen, the winding of the turns is carried out in the direction of the thread. Outside the thread, the end of the fiber strand must be pinched with your finger. The first turn is applied in the form of a "lock". Be sure to roll the strands tightly, do not leave gaps. Once the winding is complete, the strand of fibers must be glued to the companion product closer to the extreme part of the thread. The winding of tow on the thread is made crosswise.

These are the most common and popular methods for sealing threaded connections. All of them are great, but you need to follow certain rules and nuances.

Outcome

Linen is a popular plumbing material for threaded connections. The wound tow will provide a high-quality tightness of the connection. Plumbing tow is cheap even with the additional use of related materials. Correctly carried out winding eliminates the likelihood of leaks due to the swelling of the product itself.

Most people will choose flax as it is environmentally friendly. However, before winding, it is imperative to carry out additional work related to the preparation of the thread. It is necessary to make notches to wind the strand of fibers. For sealing joints made of bronze and brass, care must be taken not to damage them.

Installation can be carried out by everyone, but you must strictly adhere to the rules and then you will not have any problems.

1. Purpose of tow and how it works.
2. Varieties of sealing materials.
3. Methods of sealing pipe thread with tow.
In plumbing works, tow is used to seal pipes and transitions connected by means of a thread. It is made mainly from flax waste and is a small coarse fiber. If the tow is properly wound, leakage protection will be provided throughout the life of the pipeline. Answering the question of how to wind tow on a thread, it should be said that the quality of workmanship prevents the risk of a leak in the water supply system.
There is a gap between the threaded connections through which water freely flows out of the pipeline. If a properly laid plumbing tow is present in it, then the gap becomes smaller, and in the process of water penetration into such a connection, the flax swells and the leak stops.

Varieties of sealing materials.

The main materials that create an airtight layer between threaded connections include:
- sanitary tow;
- FUM tape;
- liquid FUM.
Silicone is used as an additional material for tow, but by itself, due to its properties, it will not be able to provide reliable protection of the connection from leaks.
FUM is a thread take-up consisting of a Teflon tape that is not wetted with water and creates a water-repellent layer in the joints.
Liquid FUM is a blue one-component sealant that slowly hardens upon contact with air and forms a sufficiently strong and dense filler that prevents water from flowing out of the system. But, if, when using the above materials, the water supply can be pressurized immediately, then after using a liquid FUM, before checking the system, you need to wait a certain time, depending on the diameter and ambient temperature.

The method of sealing pipe thread with tow.

High-quality thread winding is carried out using the following materials and tools:
- pipe lever wrenches in the amount of two pieces;
- sanitary tow;
- FUM tapes.

We will consider the procedure for obtaining a high-quality sealed threaded connection using the example of combining a union nut (American) with an external thread of 1 inch and a check valve.
Separate a long strand with tow, approximately equal to 5 - 7 turns with a diameter of 1 inch and the density indicated in the photo.

We apply the resulting workpiece to the beginning of the American connecting element, while its thread should be directed at you, and we wind it clockwise, along the turns and back. We bring the end of the tow to the beginning of the thread and, with our fingers, clockwise, smooth it out. As a result, it should look like in the photo.

Then, on this part, we wind the FUM clockwise so that it completely overlaps the sanitary flax and lies on it in 2 - 3 layers.

Teflon tape prevents the tow from turning and sliding off the part. We profit from the American woman on the non-return valve and, using the keys, we tighten them until a tangible load occurs.

Such a combined thread winding, with the appropriate skill, almost always ensures a reliable joining of two detachable pipeline elements. When all the components of the system are assembled, it is necessary to pressurize it at a pressure of approximately 1 bar and inspect all threaded connections for leaks.
When using low-quality parts, the amount of winding should be slightly reduced, since in the process of swelling of the flax, forces arise that can lead to damage to the part.

In our everyday life, sooner or later, each of us has to make minor repairs, in which it is required to rewind the thread with flax. Most often this applies to a radiator or plumbing. Faced with such a problem, it is advisable for a home craftsman to have skills in the use of flax (tow). Such knowledge will surely 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 consider in detail how flax is used for this.

Over time, home craftsmen, sooner or later, may be faced with the question of how to rewind the thread of a water tap. You should know that there is a so-called way of doing the work for the tight connection of the pipe with the elements of the water supply system, "packing threaded connections" for which flax is used.

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

Flax - pros and cons

Advantages of the material for plumbing work:

Affordable price compared to other sealing materials. But when purchasing, you need to choose only high-quality flax. Typically, 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, since it is possible to carry out any work related to threaded connections. Accordingly, if flax is properly wound.
Before winding flax onto a threaded connection, you should pay attention to the fact that this material is capable of swelling, since it absorbs moisture. Such characteristics greatly increase the tightness, since the leak will have no paths.
Also, this material has high mechanical resistance, which makes it possible to fit plumbing without losing its hermetic properties. The connections themselves can be turned off a full turn or turned off half a turn.

If you have a question on how to wind flax on a thread, then be sure to familiarize yourself with its disadvantages in this material.

Disadvantages when using:

Since the substance that makes up its basis is organic, it means that it is subject 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 decay process. Such an addition can be a paste for sealing, grease or lithol.
In some cases, before starting winding, be sure to first engage in carving, prepare, clean, etc. Most manufacturers of pipes and fittings make a threaded connection already fully prepared for further work, that is, under flax winding. On the threaded turns, special notches are made to prevent flax from slipping along the threads and so that the flax does not gather in a bundle. If there are no notches, then the matter remains with the plumber, he applies them with a file or simply with a knife.
In addition, it must be remembered that you should not settle the material with a very thick layer, as this will cause it to damage the connections, and this is especially true for brass and bronze.
If suddenly you are faced with a situation where you are required to know how to work with flax, then you must 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 will corrode.

How to seal new threads

Before you start winding a new thread with flax, it is imperative to prepare the turns before this. Today, a number of manufacturers produce fittings with pre-threaded ready-made threads and with special notches for winding flax. You should be aware that on a smooth thread, the material will simply slip off and also bunch into a bundle, which will certainly lead to a leakage. Fibers will be able to hook well only if there are notches on the turns.

Such notches can be applied with a regular file and a hacksaw for metal, or with a file. Some craftsmen use a plumbing wrench for this, and even pliers. To do this, the thread is gripped, and serifs are applied by light pressing. When performing this procedure, try to achieve roughness on the turns.

Before winding 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 the winding 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 rules

Flax can be wound onto threads using your own technology. The options may vary. So some masters twist it in the form of a bundle, others simply braid it in a regular pigtail, or you can, if you wish, apply it in the form of a loose thread.

Additional lubricant (paste) can also be applied in different ways. You can, for example, smear only clean threads and then wrap them with fibers. Then apply another additional layer. Alternatively, soak the fibers well in advance and prepare them afterwards.

If circumstances force you to think about how to properly rewind tow on the thread, and you want to understand exactly how to do it clockwise or against it, then it is best for you to listen to the opinions of experts. Different options can be used here. So some wind this strand along the thread, while others act on the contrary.

It is imperative that the end of the strand outside the turns should be pressed with a finger and, making the first turn, it should be in the form of a cross, which will make it possible to fix the material. At the same time, you should not leave any gaps. You need to lay the coils 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 sleeve and an iron pipe. As for brass joints, it will refer to those that are made using modern technologies and they burst from strong pressure.

On the wrapped linen around it, you need to apply a special paste intended for plumbing, or any other material for sealing is 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 screwing, make sure that the pipe lumen is not filled with sealing material.

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

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

Working with ecoplastics

If you have a question about how to use flax for this type of plumbing material, then in this case it will 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 while working with it.

Before starting work, both fittings must be connected together by counting the number of revolutions. Flax is wound evenly and its entire surface needs to be smeared with additional grease, and then it will be possible to connect both fittings. If you counted 5 turns idle, then after winding the flax, it will be correct to make about 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, packaging paste is suitable.

Often in the home, craftsmen have to wonder how to correctly wind the tape on the threaded connection of the old pipe. In such situations, the best option is to dismantle the connections and at the same time inspect the threads.

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