We did out softner installation and one of the things husband was having trouble with was tightening the 3/4" male adapters to the threaded valve.

He did it on a vice on the floor rather than on the softner as to not damage the controls of the softener. He wrapped it in a soldering sheild fabric so he wouldnt damage the finish of the valve.

He was concerned since he saw photos of similar installations with the adapters snugged all the way up with no exposed threads.

We used pipe dope on the threads and after tightning as much as we could there was still 3 threads on each connection exposed. There are no leaks (knock on wood) but we are concerned about the exposed threads....

is this a leak waiting to happen?

 

No....................................

 

I have seen that on Chinese fittings so out of spec they still leaked when all threads were used. Hand tight on a in spec thread should be about at half the treads then just enough with a wrench so it doesn't leak. No threads something is wrong.

 

Pipe threads are an interference fit. If you look close you will see an almost taper but instead the threads are not cut as deep as it goes of the pipe. Tightening using TFE tape as a lubricant until you get firm and tight fit, but so much that you deform the threads. As Xsleeper says, you're good.