Plumbing Consumables

Learn more about plumbing consumables

Plumbing consumables are essential for water safety and maintaining leak-free joints under high thermal expansion. Utilising WRAS-approved compounds ensures sealants remain safe for potable drinking water supplies without leaching harmful chemicals or degrading plastic components. Pairing specialised self-cleaning fluxes with high-purity solder ensures deep capillary action in copper joints, while trade-grade PTFE tapes provide instantaneous, pressure-resistant thread sealing across domestic and commercial pipe installations.

Typical uses

• Thread & compression sealing: Wrapping threaded brass, iron, and plastic pipe joints with PTFE tape or jointing paste to block fluid migration.

• Copper joint soldering: Cleaning and fluxing copper tubes prior to sweating capillary end-feed fittings for hot and cold water feeds.

• Drainage & waste maintenance: Clearing heavy grease, hair, and limescale blockages from waste pipes using professional chemical drain unblockers.

• Flange & gasket sealing: Applying non-setting jointing compounds to boiler flanges, radiator tails, and sanitary waste unions.

How to choose the right plumbing consumable

• Choose the consumable to match the joint type, threaded, compression, soldered or push fit, so you're using the right fixing method for the fitting.

• Check the size, profile and material of washers, O-rings and gaskets against the existing part before you order.

• If you've got the old item in hand, match it to the product specifications and keep the same reference where you can.

• Pick a product that suits the pipe material and the application, whether you're working with copper, plastic or mixed systems.

• For potable water or heating work, check the product specifications and make sure the consumable is suitable for the system and intended use.

• PTFE tape or thread seal tape suits threaded joints, while pipe joint compound is used where the product specification asks for a compound rather than tape.

• Leak sealant and plumbing sealant are for sealing tasks, not for replacing the correct washer or gasket.

Before you order

• Check the exact fitting size, thread type and any manufacturer reference on the existing part.

• Confirm whether you need loose parts, a washer kit or a pack of mixed consumables for the job in hand.

• If you're stocking for multiple jobs, allow for wastage and keep the most commonly used tap washers, sealants and tape on hand.

• Use product specifications and branch advice to help check compatibility before you buy.

Explore our range of plumbing consumables

Explore plumbing consumables at Travis Perkins to find the parts you use most often, including tap washers, washer kits, PTFE tape, plumbing flux and leak sealant. The range is set up for tradespeople who want to choose the right consumable, check suitability and keep the job moving.

Use the product specifications, local branch expertise, free Click & Collect or delivery to make sure you get the right part first time.