How to wind flax onto a pipe thread. Traditional material in the new workshop - sanitary linen

Tow for pipes is one of the most popular sealants on Russian market. popular for many decades due to its low price, availability and relatively good sealing of connections when special conditions. on thread is relevant for temporary threaded connections and those located in open access, i.e. are always in sight, leaks are easy to detect and fix immediately. Flax compounds work up to a maximum temperature of 120-140 °C, but sometimes this figure is reduced to 70 °C. It all depends on the quality of the material and an additional sealing agent - plumbing paste.

Let's talk about the technology and rules of flax winding. How to properly wrap tow on a thread so that the sealing is sufficient for the entire shelf life of the joint? What are the tricks and professional secrets for high-quality thread sealing?

How to wind tow

This question is asked not only by the owner of an apartment where a faucet has suddenly leaked or the faucet needs to be replaced, but also by a plumber who has recently started his career. , indeed, not the simplest and comfortable material. Linen does not look aesthetically pleasing, it fluffs up and tears easily, and flax fibers constantly cling to threads or clothing. Almost weightless, they scatter around the room and, having finished the work, the plumber has to spend time finding and collecting all the threads.

IN modern conditions there is a whole spectrum plumbing work, including installation and repair. Despite the emergence of innovative analogues, many craftsmen prefer to perform work using traditional materials, such as sanitary linen. A number of its shortcomings are not an obstacle, since its low price remains a priority.

As the name implies, plumbing flax is mainly used for connecting elements of water supply and sewerage systems. This applies to pipes, fittings, taps, and other components. However, according to the technical documentation, including GOST and SNiP, it can be used for other purposes. So, it is recommended to use it when laying engineering systems such as gas pipelines, as well as in the assembly of steam and water heating systems.

The special properties of the material are used by folk craftsmen. They call it tow flax and use it as an environmentally friendly insulation for caulking bathhouses and log houses. It does not allow moisture to pass through, but allows air to pass through. It is also used as sound insulation.

The principle of operation of such a sealant is based on the use of hygroscopic properties. It lies in the fact that the plumbing fixtures will allow moisture to pass through at the threaded connection and, under its influence, the flax fibers used for winding will physically expand, minimizing the gaps, thereby preventing the further spread of moisture, leaks and, as a result, the formation of rust.

Simple winding is facilitated by high flexibility, the length of the fibers can be varied by cutting.

Varieties, alternatives and selection rules

Linen is good for styling almost everything metal pipes, including cast iron, made from of stainless steel, non-ferrous metals, including copper, as well as their alloys, such as brass. The only exceptions are aluminum and metal-plastic products, as well as those made from polymer compositions. For them, professionals recommend using fum tape.

In cases where it is impossible to be completely satisfied with the result of using fum tape, it is recommended to wind plumbing flax in parallel with it. They complement each other and compensate for the shortcomings of each material.

Fibers of various qualities are available on sale. All of them are produced on the same equipment - a carding machine. They are distinguished by numbers, which contain a description on the label. They vary in the range from 8 to 24. In this case, fibers with a higher number will have fewer impurities and vice versa. They are also characterized by a degree of flexibility, which is less important in their work.

Fibers are packaged in coils, as well as braids of fixed weight and size. Their color can vary from white to light gray, as well as beige due to the use of natural raw materials.

Damaged fibers will have bad smell rotten. Acceptable level humidity - no higher than 12%, otherwise the material loses its properties.

Advantages and benefits

The material has an easily dosed fibrous structure and high tensile strength, which is maintained even when the reinforcement is twisted. Provided that appropriate accompanying materials are used, the maximum temperature can reach 140-150 degrees.

Compared to other materials, flax sanitary fibers have the lowest cost among similar sealants, which allows them to be purchased in kilograms. This is facilitated by the widespread availability of the material.

Environmental safety due to the use of natural raw materials allows the material to be used in the construction of water pipelines. But, despite the content of natural components, fibers do not cause allergic reactions.

Disadvantages, negative points

Despite a large number of Natural sealant is not without advantages and disadvantages. They are especially obvious when installation and repair technology is violated. After short-term use, rust may form at the joints, making it difficult to dismantle structures during subsequent repairs. In view of this, it is recommended to regularly inspect connections for leaks and take measures to eliminate damage.

The material is very sensitive to the quality of work, so it is recommended to use it only by experienced craftsmen.

Attractive physical properties compensated by the low chemical sensitivity of the material. Thus, flax fibers will be destroyed under the influence of antifreeze if they are part of the mixture passing through connected communications.

There is an opinion that the material is sensitive to high blood pressure in pipes and at values ​​exceeding 8 atmospheres, it can reduce the quality of sealing. However, the use of plumbing flax for connecting pipes does not lose popularity.

Step-by-step instructions for use and their variations

Before winding flax on the thread, check its quality. If it has factory perpendicular notches, then the pipes are designed specifically for this type of connection. Otherwise, you will need to do them yourself. To do this, you can use a file, screwdriver, chisel or hacksaw.

You need to act carefully so as not to completely cut off the thread and, especially, not to destroy the product, for example, a faucet, if it is made of a brittle alloy such as brass. The sharper the edges of the notches, the more effectively the winding will hold. The optimal section angle is no more than 55 degrees.

Then you can go in two ways - with or without lubricant. The second option is recommended solely as a temporary solution, since it does not allow the plumbing flax specifications opened completely.

In any case, winding flax on a thread will follow the same principle.

There is only one way to wind flax on a thread - against its direction. Otherwise, when twisting a part with a nut or part of a fitting, the connection will be leaky, and the wound layer of fibers will peel off.

You can also use lubricant in two ways. In the first case, it is applied directly to the thread, before winding the flax, and in the second, after winding, in order to mold the fibers and make the path of the wound part of the fitting easier. It is also possible to impregnate the fibers with lubricant before winding them. The choice between options is determined solely by the degree of convenience.

As a lubricant, you can use such products as litol, grease, drying oil mixed with red lead and even Oil paint. But the best option in modern conditions, a pipe sealant, for example, silicone-based or sealing paste, is considered.

It is worth noting that there are other subtleties in how to properly wind flax threads on pipes. So, in order to avoid slipping of the linen winding, it is recommended that before winding the main layer, place the edge of the strand on the thread and apply turns of fiber crosswise on top of it. The layer of fibers should not be too thick - for example, the nut should be tightened with light force.

conclusions

Now you know how to wind flax correctly and what criteria should be used when choosing it as a sealant. It's hard to name him ideal option, but in rare cases its use is certainly justified. So, for pipes whose diameter exceeds 20 mm, its use is mandatory, as is the case with steam pipelines, the coolant in which can have a temperature of up to 120 degrees.

Without any problems, the material is used for packing gland couplings and sealing ceramic and cast iron pipes.

Subject to storage rules, this consumables can be purchased for future use and used as needed over a long period of time.

That's how much there is modern materials to seal the joint, and good old flax does not give up its position.
What is his task? Plumbing flax allows you to fill as tightly as possible all the free space inside the thread. To withstand mechanical loads and temperature deformations during operation.
What is needed for this? Master skill. High quality material and high quality carving.

Thread. Or rather, its preparation. May be good master, but get a leak on an unprepared thread. The thread must be serrated. The flax must cling to something when screwing the thread into the coupling. On a smooth thread, there is a high chance that the flax will slip into the end of the thread.
Therefore, on a smooth thread you will have to apply the notches yourself.
You can scratch the thread for this. Use pieces for this hacksaw blade, broken drills, files, etc. But be careful, you can easily get hurt.

I bite the threads with plumbing pliers. It turns out quickly and accurately. Someone might argue that this could squeeze the thin-walled fitting and ruin it.
Very good. I’d rather crush it than for it to crumple inside the coupling later.

More. Before winding flax, it is necessary to assemble the connection dry, without flax. First, you will see how the thread is screwed in. It may be tight or skewed. Secondly, count the number of revolutions. This helps a lot when screwing on angles, tees, taps, eccentrics and other oriented fittings.
Screwed in? Have you checked? Have you counted the revolutions? Great. Let's take flax.
Flax comes in braids, in balls, and on spools. How it is rolled up and sold makes no difference. Main. Linen must be clean. That is, there should be no debris or tangled lumps in it.
Separate a strand of flax. It is difficult to say what the thickness of the strand should be. It all depends on the diameter of the thread and the length of the flax. The guideline is something like this - after winding, the thread should not be visible.

There is a lot of debate about where to start winding - from the beginning of the thread or from the end. It doesn't matter at all. From where your hands are sharpened, move from there. Whichever is convenient for you. I wind from the beginning, along the thread.

Now apply sealing paste. For example, I take Unipak paste. Not because it is the best, but because it is sold everywhere here. Previously, about 20 years ago, I used paint. Then, succumbing to fashion, he smeared silicone sealant. As soon as sealing pastes went on sale, I immediately switched to them.

How to wind flax on a pipe with your own hands: step-by-step instruction+Photo. IN Everyday life very often you have to perform small renovation work, which requires the use of flax for winding pipes. This may be required for a radiator or plumbing. Every master should be able to use tow correctly, as sooner or later he will need it. can be made of plastic, metal, nylon or metal-plastic. Each type of material has its own adapters in order to connect to other pipes.

We will talk about such connections.

Since everyone House master If you have ever encountered a problem where you need to wind flax onto a tap thread, you should learn how to do it. If you want to hermetically connect each element of the water supply and pipes, then you should perform packing. To do this, two pipes must be packed at an angle of 90 degrees using a coupling, and there must be a thread at the end of each pipe. The coupling will have internal threads as well as external threads. Twisting alone is not enough, so for best connection should do .

Description of flax (tow)

Before you start winding flax onto pipes, you should become more familiar with what flax tow is. This is a fibrous type material that is used to seal threads. The product is natural, it is made from the primary processing of homogeneous, thin and long-fiber flax. The scope of application of the material is wide. Depending on the manufacturing method, the material can be tape, jute, plumbing or construction. In our case, we will talk about insulation, which makes it possible to reliably seal each connection.

To make this material, combed fibers are used, which are brought in bales. They are used for construction work when sealing seams, when insulating a log house and laying wood elements. The material is natural, and this is especially valuable among those people who are engaged in construction wooden house. If rolled material was used to connect pipes with flax, then it can be called tape. This material is also used to caulk seams in log houses and lay crowns. The advantage of using flax is the cost, since the material for plumbing work is several times cheaper than other analogues. In addition, it is economically consumed, and the fibers, although thin, are very strong. If you wind them correctly, you can use them for various types works where any types of connections will be used. Can be used for cast iron and ceramic pipes.

Advantages

Before you start wrapping flax on the thread, you should know that it begins to swell and absorb moisture, which allows you to increase the level of tightness, since there will be no way out for leakage. In addition, the material has high mechanical stability, and it is this characteristic that makes it possible to adjust plumbing fixtures, and the hermetic properties will not be lost; connections can be unscrewed half a turn or a full turn.

Disadvantages of use

If you are thinking about how to wind flax on a thread, you should first become familiar with all the shortcomings of the material. So, the material is based on a substance of organic origin, and therefore it can begin to rot when exposed to moisture and air. Also, it sometimes gets inside even during a routine examination. To do this, when using tow, you should also use another material, additional, which will help prevent the rotting process. This can be sealing paste, oil paints, solid oil or lithol.

Sometimes, before winding, you should first prepare the thread, since if you lay the material in a large layer, then there is a possibility of damage to the joints, and this is especially true for bronze and brass. If you are faced with the question of how to wind tow on a threaded connection, then you should remember that such a seal requires knowledge of the rules of winding.

Additional materials in combination with tow will make further disassembly difficult, and this applies to oil paint and silicone. Sometimes such additions make the installation process completely unbearable. It is not suitable to use flax when the temperature reaches +90 degrees. In such places, the material begins to weld, and then completely loses its sealing properties. If you are dealing with steel, then you should definitely follow the winding technology, as otherwise the thread may be subject to corrosion.

How to wind flax on a thread

Before you start winding, check the threads - if they are completely new, then you should prepare the turns. Most manufacturers currently produce fittings that already have threads, but with notches for winding flax. The fact is that the material begins to jump off the smooth thread and bunches up into a single bunch, and this can lead to a violation of the tightness. So that the fibers can catch well, notches should be made on the turns. If necessary, you can always apply them with a needle file, file or hacksaw. Some of the craftsmen may use a plumber's wrench or even pliers - the thread should be grasped, and then apply the notches with a slight movement of the hand.

The main thing is that roughness appears on the turns. Before you start winding flax onto the thread, you should separate a small strand from the whole braid. You should capture enough fibers so that the winding is not too thin, but not too thick. Professionals advise using a thickness of material that is the same as 1 or 2 matches in girth. If there are lumps in the strands, remove them and small lint.

Work methodology

You can apply tow using your own technology, which you like more than others. Some specialists twist flax into flagella, while others braid it into a weak braid, while others simply lay it in the form of loose threads. The order in which materials such as pastes are applied also varies. Sometimes you can first lubricate the thread, wrap it with fibers, and then apply a second layer, and someone saturates the fibers in advance, and then everything is prepared. Both options are correct, and if you think about how to wind flax onto a thread - counterclockwise or clockwise, then you should listen to the advice of craftsmen who wind pipes with flax both clockwise and counterclockwise at the same time.

In addition, the strands must be pinched with your fingers outside the turns, and the first turn should form a cross, which will allow the material to be fixed. Do not leave any gaps, lay all the turns one to one. If you are making a connection, a lot of the material used may be squeezed out of the fitting, this happens when working with a steel coupling and an iron pipe. Brass connections can burst under strong pressure; this is true for elements manufactured using modern technologies.

Plumbing pastes or other sealing type materials should be applied around the flax, and the movements should be rotational. The work must be done extremely carefully. Glue the second end closer to the edge of the thread, and before directly tightening, check to see if the pipe hole is filled. Now you know how to wind flax on a thread, and a photo of the process can be found in the article.

But from them you will not understand that twisting the elements should be done with force, but moderate. If the nut moves easily, then little flax was used. Winding will be considered correct if the material does not come out and the surface around the joint remains clean. For connections to gas pipes it is better not to use organic tow, since under the influence of gas the winding and silicone, which will be used as additional material, will be destroyed. Here it would be most appropriate to use FUM tape.

If you have ever thought about how to wind tape around a pipe thread, you can use the technology that is used when working on ecoplastic products. This material, like brass, can also burst. The main thing when twisting is not to overdo it.

Before starting work, connect both fittings and count the number of revolutions. Wind the flax evenly, coat its surface with additional compound, and only then can you connect the fittings. If you counted, for example, 6 turns at idle, then after winding the tape it is better to make 5.5 turns, but do not pull the fitting all the way. In this case, it would be more appropriate to use packaging paste instead of sealant.

Conclusion

Very often, men wonder how to wind flax on a thread. In this case, you should remove the old connection and carefully inspect the thread. Then go through the coils with the tip of a knife/awl to remove all accumulated debris. With help metal brush Before winding the tape, clean the turns, and do this until everything is shiny.

The debate about what is better to use as a sealant for threaded connections (windings) - flax or fum tape - has not subsided for years. 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, what can we say about non-professionals? But even mere mortals sometimes need to connect something together. And it’s hermetically sealed. Let’s try to break down the recommendations “on the shelves”. About the properties of fum tape and its winding technology. And today our review is dedicated to flax, or tow, for plumbing work.

Plumbing 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 purchasing, you need to pay attention to quality. Good flax is sold in a braid or loose coil, has no lumps, and is clean (light in appearance).

• Versatility. Suitable for any type of connection. Of course, with proper winding.

• The ability to increase volume during swelling. That is, if immediately after the connection there is a small leak, it very soon “closes” itself. Flax fibers get wet and, swelling, cover small leaks.

• Mechanical resistance. The only material that allows you to more accurately orient plumbing fixtures. You can, if necessary, make a half-turn back without losing the tightness.

But there are also disadvantages:

• It is mandatory to use accompanying materials with it (lithol, grease, fum-let, sealing paste, silicone, oil paint). Linen has organic origin. And like any organic matter, it has a tendency to rot, especially under the combined influence of water and air. And air enters the water supply or heating systems during repairs or preventive inspections, which must be carried out annually. The accompanying material is designed to prevent rotting.

• Requires special thread preparation. Many manufacturers of fittings make their threads already prepared for winding with flax. The threads have notches. If they are not there, then they need to be applied to plumbers (with a file, pliers, or less often with a hacksaw). They are needed so that the flax, during the joining process, does not slip along the turns of the thread and does not come together in a bundle.

• Requires caution in brass and bronze connections. A layer that is too thick can break the thread and cracks will appear.

• Plumbing linen is the only material that is very demanding in terms of compliance with winding rules. In addition to the already mentioned preparation of the thread, you need to prepare the flax itself: soak it with the accompanying material to prevent rotting. Then wind, observing the direction of the thread turns, that is, against the winding. Bring the ends of the fibers outside the thread area, pull them and, holding them with your finger, screw the connection onto the threads and tighten.

• 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 glue the parts of the connection to each other in such a way that the process of separation can be quite difficult, sometimes simply impossible. The same problems arise when separating steel elements, when incorrectly wound flax (or without accompanying material) as a result of rotting allows rust to occur in the threaded connection.

Which is better: linen or fum tape?

When it comes to sealing threaded connections, the first thought that comes to mind is plumbing. When installing a water supply system for cold water from steel pipes Neither flax nor fum tape have obvious advantages. The main thing is to wind the seal correctly. But when this water supply is installed from or, fum tape is preferable. Its advantage in this case is explained by speed. Non-metallic water pipes are installed faster than steel ones. And reducing the installation speed just because of winding (and winding flax is more difficult and takes longer) is not effective. In addition, the threads of the fittings are smooth 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, plumbing flax turns out to be more effective.

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

If we take into account the other properties of these materials, 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 installation speed.

There are also cases when the most effective is a combination of flax and fum tape. The turns of the fum tape are laid with flax fibers. Or vice versa, one or two turns of fum tape are wound over the flax winding. This decision is not often made by plumbers, due to the peculiarities of the installation or operation conditions of the pipeline.

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

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, the linen may not be able to hold on during the joining process, slip, or get bunched up. Of course, in this case there can be no question of any sealing. The threads should have serrations that will catch the flax fibers. This will allow the winding to stay in place and provide a seal. These notches are made with a needle file, a file, and, if possible, with a hacksaw. In extreme cases, you can use pliers to strongly squeeze the thread in a circle; the ribbed jaws will leave nicks on the thread turns. Manufacturers of fittings often produce threads already prepared for plumbing linen.

Then a strand of fibers is separated from the flax braid. It is important to choose a strand of suitable thickness so that the winding is neither thin nor too thick. There should be no lumps in the strand: if there are any, they need to be removed. Some plumbers twist a strand of flax fibers before winding, some braid thin braids, and some wind the strand as is, loose. It doesn't matter what suits you. This does not affect the final result.

Then there are two options for subsequent actions. Can be applied to threads related material, wind dry flax fibers and then apply another layer of material. Or you can reel in strands of flax already soaked in 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 flax turns in the direction of the thread. The end of the strand is clamped with a finger outside the thread, the first turn is made as 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. After winding is completed, the end of the strand is glued to the accompanying material closer to the edge of the thread.