Need some advice before I take apart my pump's plumbing

[Pappy]

The YELLOW teflon tape is better than most white tape. It's thicker and easier to work with. PINK is even thicker than yellow. All the Home Depots around Dallas carry the yellow stuff, and I've seen pink at some, but I don't know if all carry it.

[BigDave]

I learned (the hard way) that Teflon tape in not appropriate for threaded PVC fittings. It causes two issues: 1) It makes the male fitting larger and the excess volume in the threads can split the female fitting. 2) The Teflon lubricates the threads making it easier to turn the joint too much; these threads are tapered and turning them too far also results in splitting the female fitting. Better to use a thread sealant made for PVC, it is either hardening and non-hardening - use non-hardening if you plan to re-open the joint. Put a bead of sealant all the way around the end of the female fitting and let the male fitting push the sealant into the threads and fittings.

Yellow tape is for gas but works for water. Pink works great for metal pipe threads.

[CarlD]

Dave, I don't dispute you, but I've used taped PVC fittings for over a dozen years with no problem with the joints, and I use it all over: returns, drains, quick-connects, ball valves, etc.

[BigDave]

I know, me too, as long as I can remember. Sorry for questioning your advice. My information is from Lasco's website here:http://lascofittings.sitewrench.com/threads. I found it when trying to figure out why my unions were leaking at the threads.

[CarlD]

Use more tape!

[BigDave]

I'm pretty sure that was the problem.