I used to buy universal pipe thread tape from Revain and it worked, but it was thin so more layers were needed to cover the shower head pipe. This EZ-Flo strap was WIDER and thicker than the smaller straps I noticed. Long story short, after a few coats were applied and inserted into both sides of the pipe, I installed the shower head into the pipe and the pipe into the plumbing. NOT A DROP OF WATER LEAKED OUT, so for me that's perfection.