Tape
There are numerous types
of tape out there:
|
Masking Tape —
|
Used for temporary projects,
like painting. Gets horrible and gooey if left too long, especially
in the sun. |
| |
|
|
Electrical Tape
—
|
Besides electrical use, it's
not too bad as a sealant tape (like an emergency repair on a leaky trap
under the sink) because it's rubbery and stretches. |
| |
|
|
Duct Tape —
|
Fabled in myth and legend, this
stuff is highly overrated. The only thing it's really good for is
what it was invented to do in the first place; seal heating ducts.
There are wildly different grades, from some real junk to the ultra-sticky
black stuff found at marine stores. |
| |
|
|
Mirror Tape —
|
Double-sided tape, originally
used to hold mirror panels to walls, now used everywhere. The nice
thing about mirror tape is it often peels right off a few months down the
road if you want to change something. |
| |
|
|
Teflon Tape —
|
Thin, white rubbery tape used
to seal pipe threads. A marvelous invention. |
| |
|
|
Heat Duct Tape —
|
This has a chrome look to one
side. It's a heat-resistant tape used to seal things like the exhaust
vent for a gas dryer or furnace. |
| |
|
|
Plumber's Tape —
|
This is that flat metal 'tape'
with all the holes in it that's strapped around your water heater to keep
it from falling over in the event of an earthquake. |
And that's not counting cellophane
tape, adhesive and medical tape, packing box sealing tape, and all the
rest.
On the subject of tape, although
it doesn't have any use in regards to repair, a nod should be given to
Dymo Label Tape, and what a valuable role it plays when it comes to keeping
things organized.
|