Need Advice: Leaking Threads
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Need Advice: Leaking Threads
I've replaced the old multi-turn cold water shutoff under the bathroom sink with a new BrassCraft quarter-turn valve. I put 4 neat and tight wraps of good quality ACE teflon tape (which seems to be a little thicker than cheaper brands) around the copper male adapter coming out of the wall. With my neighbor holding the adapter with a set of big visegrips, I turned the new valve pretty tight and stopped with the outlet at the12 o'clock position.
It looked fine but when I turned the water supply out front back on, there was a small leak around the threads of the male adapter. I tried tightening the valve a little bit more, to where the outlet was about 2 o'clock, but the small leak persisted. It forms a drop of water about every 2 minutes or so.
So, my plan is to remove the valve and try again. This time, should I:
a. Use 6 wraps of tape
b. Use only 2 wraps
c. Use 2 wraps and put Rectorseal Pipe Thread Sealant with PTFE on top of the tape or...
d. Use only Rectorseal and no teflon tape at all
It looked fine but when I turned the water supply out front back on, there was a small leak around the threads of the male adapter. I tried tightening the valve a little bit more, to where the outlet was about 2 o'clock, but the small leak persisted. It forms a drop of water about every 2 minutes or so.
So, my plan is to remove the valve and try again. This time, should I:
a. Use 6 wraps of tape
b. Use only 2 wraps
c. Use 2 wraps and put Rectorseal Pipe Thread Sealant with PTFE on top of the tape or...
d. Use only Rectorseal and no teflon tape at all
#3
Every once in awhile you get a thread, either the male or the female, that is a little off and just doesn't seal correctly, They seal by forcing the threads against each other, if off there is a leak path that the tape just doesn't fill.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#5
Member
I would try the 6 wraps.
Be sure to clean the male threads.
Also double check that it is the treads that are leaking and that it is not leaking out the back past the ferrule.
Be sure to clean the male threads.
Also double check that it is the treads that are leaking and that it is not leaking out the back past the ferrule.
#6
Member
I think lots of plumbing fixtures sold at Big Box stores have crappy threads. I just installed a Shark Bite 1/4" turn stop under my daughter's sink. It took about 15 minutes.
I have never had a Shark Bite leak.
I have never had a Shark Bite leak.
#7
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania
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c. Use 2 wraps and put Rectorseal Pipe Thread Sealant with PTFE on top of the tape or...
(1) Several wraps teflon tape around threads.
(2) Generous amount Rectorseal No.5 on top of tape.
(3) Really tighten with some muscle – important to really tighten!
Never had a leak since then.
otisnj
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#8
My guess is the problem is related to his wanting to stop at 12 or 2 o clock when it probably should have gone one more revolution. But the PFTE paste will be helpful.
otisnj
voted this post useful.
#9
Forum Topic Moderator
Just adding another vote from experience. 3-4 wraps of teflon tape followed by some PFTE paste. Very rarely have a fitting leak with that combination.
otisnj
voted this post useful.
#10
I think lots of plumbing fixtures sold at Big Box stores have crappy threads.
Ive had issues with copper fittings, I do not buy any of that junk there any more!
Norm201
voted this post useful.
cwbuff
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#12
Member
Thread Starter
"I dreaded threads. I would often get the drips from hell - and then I heard (I think it was on this forum):
(1) Several wraps teflon tape around threads.
(2) Generous amount Rectorseal No.5 on top of tape.
(3) Really tighten with some muscle – important to really tighten!
Never had a leak since then."
*********************************************************************
Original poster here. UPDATE:
I bought a Shark Bite valve but had the same small leak with just 4 wraps of tape. Took it off, cleaned the copper adapter's threads, put 3 wraps of tape followed by the white RectorSeal with PTFE, tightened it snuggly and that finally fixed the leak.
Thanks for all the advice. From now on it's tape with Rectorseal on top!
(1) Several wraps teflon tape around threads.
(2) Generous amount Rectorseal No.5 on top of tape.
(3) Really tighten with some muscle – important to really tighten!
Never had a leak since then."
*********************************************************************
Original poster here. UPDATE:
I bought a Shark Bite valve but had the same small leak with just 4 wraps of tape. Took it off, cleaned the copper adapter's threads, put 3 wraps of tape followed by the white RectorSeal with PTFE, tightened it snuggly and that finally fixed the leak.
Thanks for all the advice. From now on it's tape with Rectorseal on top!
#13
bought a Shark Bite valve but had the same small leak with just 4 wraps of tape.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Norm, Lowe's sells a line of Shark Bite BRAND shutoff valves that have iron pipe threads for input and compression for output.
I thought all Shark Bite stuff was push on until this problem happened.
I thought all Shark Bite stuff was push on until this problem happened.
#17
Member
Norm - SharkBite 1/4 turn stop valves are push connect on the source side. The 3/8" connection for the faucet hose is a typical compression fitting. I think SharkBite is now selling stop valves with push on connections for bot in and out.