Leaking pipe joint - lesson re-learned
#1
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Thread Starter
Leaking pipe joint - lesson re-learned
I have admired myself for knowing that we DIYers tend to underestimate the torque required to make leak-free connections of threaded steel pipe. Well, not so fast.
I recently replaced the fuel valve on our natural-gas boiler. I was sure that the threaded gas piping connections were very tight. But, later, I smelled a bit of natural gas. I found two piping joints that were loose and slowly leaking. Those joints were loose as a goose - how could I have done that?
There was an old paper by Bell & Gosset that studied how tight threaded joints need to be. They recruited some experienced plumbers and measured the torque they actually used to makeup threaded joints - much higher than we might expect.
I recently replaced the fuel valve on our natural-gas boiler. I was sure that the threaded gas piping connections were very tight. But, later, I smelled a bit of natural gas. I found two piping joints that were loose and slowly leaking. Those joints were loose as a goose - how could I have done that?
There was an old paper by Bell & Gosset that studied how tight threaded joints need to be. They recruited some experienced plumbers and measured the torque they actually used to makeup threaded joints - much higher than we might expect.
#3
I have never had an issue with my piping being loose.
I have seen problems with crappy fittings and poor pipe threads.
I also see many problems with todays generation of unions.
I have seen problems with crappy fittings and poor pipe threads.
I also see many problems with todays generation of unions.
#4
I have seen problems with crappy fittings and poor pipe threads.
I also see many problems with todays generation of unions.
I also see many problems with todays generation of unions.
Bet XXXX=China!
The worst example I have found are copper fittings. What used to be common was Nibco, now all you find in the BBS are "made in China" junk. A lot of time they just dont fit, I avoid as much as possible.