Flex-seal Tape as Seen on TV

     This tape is frequently seen on television ads along with incredible claims. It is claimed to be super strong.  It is a rubberized, waterproof tape that can patch, bond, seal and repair virtually everything! It is specially formulated with a thick, flexible, rubberized backing that conforms to any shape or object and can be applied hot or cold, wet or dry…..even underwater! 
     The claim is that it instantly seals out water, air and moisture to create a super strong, flexible, watertight barrier. The tape is UV resistant, environmentally friendly, VOC-free and has a wide temperature range so it can be used in extreme weather conditions. It comes in black and white and in three sizes: 4” X 5', 8” X 5' & 12” X 10'. It's extra wide size allows you to quickly cover large cracks, gaps and holes. 
     It also comes with the caveat that it may resist bonding to the following surfaces: plasticized materials, siliconized, greasy, oily, dirty or porous surfaces, waterproof or water-repellent materials and fabrics. 
     Also, the package advises that it is a temporary fix for emergency repairs and is not meant to be a permanent fix. 
     The question is, does it work as advertised? The short answer is, yes. That is, assuming you are using it for its intended purposes; then it works as advertised if used as directed.
     Some people reviewing it only gave it one star and claimed it did not work, but they were using it for purposes for which it was not intended. One person tried to fix a garden hose, but as advertised, it will not stick to things like plastic garden hoses. Another user tried to use it to patch a leaking water pipe in his house, but he may not have applied it correctly, and it is not meant for applications of high temperature and pressure. Also, as the package says, the bond increases with time and pressure. In some cases it may need 24 hours to reach maximum adhesion. All air bubbles must be smoothed out as well. 
     I initially tried it to fix a leaking hose under the kitchen sink, but it did not work because the hose is braided and so the water simply seeped through the braiding and out the end of the tape. 
     However, I have used it for a number of other purposes where it was necessary to stop small leaks and have found it to be more than adequate for the job. It's flexible and extremely sticky. 
     If using long strips be careful that the sticky surfaces do not stick to each other because they will never come apart! Also, it's a bit pricey at $12 for a 4 inch x 5 foot roll. 
     Just remember...it's TAPE, not a magic bullet that will fix everything.