“Over the years we’ve acquired a sense of what products work, and which ones don’t,” states Mr Gundelfinger. “We are always looking to put previously untried products to the test in order to drive continuous improvement, which is a key ambition of the company. We want to win business on the back of our reputation, but we’re not going to do that if we use poor-quality products.”
Like many plumbing businesses, Mayfly Group has always harboured a sense of frustration surrounding products such as PTFE tape. Often, a threaded joint that was thought to be sealed using PTFE tape, subsequently leaks, which in turn means it has to be dismantled and the sealing process re-started. On other occasions, when a seal has been achieved, the lubricating properties of PTFE tape prompt fittings to loosen under dynamic loads, causing loss of clamping force and leakage. Use of the tape also encourages over-tightening, adding stress and leading to potential fracturing. In short, a lot of experience is needed to ensure consistent results with PTFE tape.
“At Mayfly Group, we are advocates for the use of materials that are going to provide clients with a long-lasting end result,” says Mr Gundelfinger. “We began taking notice of LOCTITE® products about two years ago, when we attended the PHEX plumbing and heating exhibition. At the show, the Henkel team were giving demonstrations on LOCTITE® 55 and LOCTITE® 577, and really educated us on how to use the products. We were given free samples, so went away and tried them for ourselves.”
LOCTITE® 55 pipe thread sealing cord has taken the plumbing trade by storm, sealing threaded fittings quickly, cleanly and cheaply. Importantly, no special training is needed to achieve an instant leak-proof joint; simply wrap the sealing cord around the male threads using the recommended number of turns for the thread size, and assemble. LOCTITE® 55 also allows fittings to be backed-off to achieve special alignments for bends, elbows or gauges without fear of leakage. The product is ideal for sealing against hot or cold water, gas, LPG and compressed air.
Those looking to seal against heating oil, or perhaps mate metal-to-metal joints made from brass, copper, iron or stainless steel, are increasingly discovering that LOCTITE® 577 anaerobic thread sealant provides the perfect solution. This single-component product is clean and easy to apply, protects the mated threaded areas against corrosion and, unlike other sealing systems, locks the fitting and resists vibration loosening.