The Waterproof Tape Buying Guide

Whether you need to create a weatherproof seal on equipment at work or want to stock up on duct tape for home use, we at Tape Jungle offer a wide array of waterproof tape for just about any project or repair. Unlike the tape you use for scrapbooking projects or shipping packages, it’s crucial that the tape you use for your household and professional repairs is highly durable and able to withstand the elements.

From the tried and true duct tape that you grew up using for small fixes to industrial solutions designed to provide safety and protection where you need it the most, we offer a wide variety of waterproof tapes from which to choose. In addition to being able to withstand water and moisture, many of these tapes can withstand other harsh elements as well, such as high heat, cold, and pressure. Beyond basic repairs, many of these waterproof tape options can be used to increase safety and visibility in the workplace. Keep reading to learn more about the many different types of waterproof tapes available on the market and how you can decide which option is right for you.

What Makes a Tape Waterproof?

Generally, it’s a combination of the manufacturing process, the adhesive used, and the material of the tape itself. Many of our tapes are constructed of vinyl or polyethylene, which can stand up to the elements and are highly durable. Industrial grade rubber- or acrylic-based adhesives provide an extra level of security, ensuring that your seal won’t dissolve or lose stickiness due to exposure to moisture. When it comes down to what makes a tape waterproof, it's generally not a one-size-fits-all reason, but usually based on a myriad of factors.

Also, some waterproof tapes are better suited to some tasks than others. For example, electrical tape is specifically designed for electrical projects, such as fixing wiring or minor electrical concerns. We also feature plumbing tape, which is specifically designed to help you with plumbing tasks where waterproofing is of the utmost concern. As an added bonus, many of our waterproof tapes are also resistant to pressure and traction, such as our Sure Step Black-Yellow Safety Tape. This tape is designed to withstand repeated foot traffic in industrial settings.

Types of Waterproof Tapes

We offer a wide array of waterproof tape options, depending on what you need for the task at hand.

Duct Tape Varieties

Duct tape is one of our most popular waterproof tape choices. It’s become a staple in both homes and business settings alike. As the most ubiquitous and well-known water-resistant tape, its popularity stems from not only its reliable durability, but its ease of use. You may have seen shows where people make boats, houses, and even snare traps out of duct tape. The material is versatile and serves multiple purposes. Do be warned that one trade-off of duct tape is it may leave a residue, but that’s not necessarily a deal breaker for some applications.

Manufacturers tend to keep the width the same, but design and additional qualities can change. Choose the color and strength you would prefer. We offer a wide array of duct tape options in a myriad of colors, which means you can find the exact tape you need for your specific project or use.

Electrical Tapes

As the name implies, electrical tape is widely used by electricians to protect, insulate, or handle minor repairs in electrical wiring and installations. In addition to being waterproof, electrical tape is often cold-resistant and flame retardant, which helps to protect electrical wiring from under or overheating. One of the best qualities of electrical tape is its pliability, which is a result of its highly flexible rubber or vinyl backing materials.

Electrical tape can often be used for minor repairs unrelated to electricity. Like duct tape, it can also sometimes leave behind a sticky residue, so be mindful of that when making your purchasing decisions. While many expect electrical tape to only be available in the standard black color, we offer All-Weather Colored Electrical Tape, which can help you to color-coordinate your electrical and outdoor projects.

Gaffer Tapes

Gaffer tape is used for industrial, construction, and heavy-duty applications. The material is cotton-cloth and made for pressure sensitivity. You can remove it without leaving residue behind, which makes it useful for operations that require clean surfaces. Often gaffers or other technicians in stage, television and film work will use them to prepare a shot or a scene. This is often a smart choice for projects where you absolutely cannot leave a sticky residue behind after removal, which can often be the case with other waterproof options such as duct tape.

Gaffer tapes are well known for their durability, strength, and high weather resilience. In most cases, they are not only resistant to water but also to heat, UV, and other factors that can rapidly weaken, loosen, or deteriorate other types of tapes.

Teflon Tapes

Teflon tape is constructed of polytetrafluoroethylene, a highly durable and resistant material more commonly known as teflon. This tape is designed to withstand extreme heat and cold while maintaining a tight seal, even in areas where moisture and water are present. Teflon tape is often referred to as plumber’s tape, as it’s most widely used in plumbing projects. Our Pipe Thread Seal Tape is a popular choice for preventing and repairing leaks in plumbing. It is highly durable and resistant to the elements.

Silicone Tapes

Silicone adhesives are highly resistant to extreme weather conditions and moisture, but unlike other options on this list, they’re also quite resistant to acids and oils. They tend not to lose adhesiveness with age, which means you won’t have to worry about any seal you create being diminished by time. We offer our Polyester Splicing Tape in both acrylic and silicone adhesive varieties.

Specialty Waterproof Tapes

Beyond our basic waterproof tape options, we have several specialty waterproof tape varieties, ensuring that you can find the tape you need at Tape Jungle no matter the scope or complexity of your project.

Non-Slip Surface Tapes

Non-slip surface waterproof tapes are perfect for use on walking surfaces, ramps, steps, and other areas with wet or slick conditions. Substances other than petroleum-based liquids or gels can cause slippery situations, which can be quite dangerous in an industrial or factory setting. These tapes have strong and resilient adhesives that grip onto surfaces and resist moisture penetration, which can prevent slips and falls.

The outer surfaces have a textured grip that can grab onto shoes and boots, equipment, tools, and other items to help people maintain a sure footing. No matter how slick the conditions are, the surface will hold. These tapes are often available in different colors and patterns as well as different widths and thicknesses.

Marine Tapes

Marine tapes are tapes that are designed to withstand marine conditions, including prolonged exposure to salt water. These tapes are a popular choice for boaters, who may use them to repair minor dents and holes in their vessels. However, don’t think that these tapes don’t have practical applications on land as well. They can also be used for minor repairs and emergencies in or around swimming pools, ponds, or any area that experiences heavy rainfall.

Reflective Conspicuity Tapes

Our Reflective Conspicuity Tape and Industrial Aluminum Foil Tape are both highly reflective and perfect for use on vehicles and industrial equipment. This enhances visibility and reduces the potential for accidents in low-light conditions. Think of this tape as similar to the reflective vests and gear that runners wear at night, except on a much larger scale. We also offer fluorescent tape, which can also enhance the visibility of objects and equipment.

Underwater Repair Tapes

Underwater repair tape is a specialized form of tape that does what you’d imagine it does: It helps to create repairs and seals on objects that are completely submerged in water. This type of tape generally isn’t used for permanent fixes, as creating an adhesive that could withstand total submersion forever would be near impossible. However, this is a great type of specialty repair tape to have on hand for emergencies, especially if you work or live in an area with lots of water nearby.

How to Choose the Right Waterproof Tape

While the amount of waterproof tape options we offer at Tape Jungle might seem a bit overwhelming, choosing the right waterproof tape is actually much easier than you might think. Here’s a quick guide to how to choose the right waterproof tape for your repair, project, or general needs.

Basic Household Needs

If you’re shopping for your general household needs, you really can’t go wrong with classic duct tape. It’s the most versatile waterproof tape on the market, which means it can be just what you need for your basic household repairs and quick fixes. We offer a wide array of duct tape options in multiple colors and patterns. These duct tape options aren't just great for home repairs, either. Many people like to utilize these fun patterns, colors, and designs in their crafting projects as well. Due to its combination of versatility and durability, it's an important item to have in your home. Beyond basic duct tape, SPVC tape can be a great tape to have in your toolkit, as it's good at withstanding moisture and heat.

Extreme Hot or Cold Temperatures

If you’re working in a factory or industrial site where you frequently experience extreme hot and cold temperatures, we highly recommend our Polyester Splicing Tape with a silicone adhesive. It’s able to withstand the elements without losing its adhesive abilities. It can also withstand exposure to fats and oils, making it perfect for refrigerated food production facilities.

Water Resistance

There isn’t one best solution for waterproof tape. The best option for you has a lot to do with how you’ll specifically be using the tape. When it comes to plumbing repairs, we highly recommend our Pipe Thread Seal Tape, which allows you to easily create a leak-proof seal. As for non-plumbing projects, it depends on just how much water you anticipate your tape will encounter.

For many simple seals and fixes, our industrial-strength duct tape will do the job just fine, as our duct tape varieties are truly able to withstand moisture and rainy conditions. Otherwise, our Polyester Splicing Tape is a great choice for jobs that need an extra level of protection. We'd also recommend our Polyethylene Film Tape or our any of our polypropylene tape varieties.

Electrical Projects

You really can’t beat basic electrical tape for electrical projects and repairs. This is also a great choice for any project that requires a tape with a good amount of flexibility. Be advised that most electrical tapes and appliance tapes will leave a sticky residue behind, which means they won’t be the best choice for some tasks. Also, always be cautious when attempting any sort of electrical project on your own. If you're not trained in it, many of these tasks are best left to the professionals, due to the highly dangerous nature of working with electrical wiring.

Safety and Visibility

When it comes to creating safety and visibility in your workplace, we’ll always recommend two tapes for the job. First, our anti slip tape allows you to add an extra element of traction and grip to high-traffic walkways and paths, which allows you to better prevent slips, falls, and accidents. Furthermore, our reflective tapes help you to enhance the visibility of vehicles and equipment in low-light areas, which will help you to better ensure the safety of your employees on the job. Our fluorescent tape can also help to enhance visibility in potentially hazardous environments.

Conclusion

Ensuring that your projects and repairs remain protected from the elements can be crucial. Thanks to our wide variety of waterproof tape options, you can find the right tape solution for just about any need. As an added bonus, many of these tapes are also resistant to pressure, extreme temperatures, and other elements.

If you feel that you need an adhesive or sealing solution for a project not described here, please contact our team at Tape Jungle today. We would be happy to work with you to figure out how we can help you to find the exact waterproof tape that you need for your home or workplace.