PTFE tape

A plumber revealed the costly mistake I’d made weeks after installation: wrapping PTFE tape anticlockwise instead of clockwise. The direction matters because of how plumbing threads spiral, and getting it wrong means the tightening motion actually unwinds the tape instead of compressing it into the seal. The fix, once you understand the physics, is surprisingly simple.

A simple mistake with PTFE tape—wrapping it the wrong direction—can silently destroy your kitchen cabinets. A professional plumber reveals exactly how to wrap it correctly, where it actually belongs, and the overlooked details that separate a watertight seal from a hidden disaster.