I would think this is a common problem but I tried searching and got nothing.

I am installing a shower neck in my new shower... so I put my thread tape on the neck and screwed it in. After a couple rotations when it is in the proper position, there it still some slack in it, but not enough to get another full turn. If I really crank on it, I can get it half way around.

So what do I do? If I put it in the proper position it isnt tight enough and it will slowly leak. Do I just put a lot of thread tape on it to "built it up" and make it tighter? How do I fix this?

Thanks

 

It's a tough situation. Try and tighten too much and you might scratch the neck with the wrench, strip out the threads or tear the neck. Too little and it will leak. I generally add more teflon tape and I also carry a roll of the thicker, pink tape when I want thicker though you can do the same with more wraps of the white. The good thing is there is very little pressure at the shower neck so it's not at critical as a water supply line that might be under constant 60 or 80 psi.

 

Try less tape. two turns or so... Dont put tape on the first two threads..

Also use some teflon paste on top of the tape....

 

Can I use my Harvey's white paste that is made for gas pipes? Or do I need to get different stuff made for water pipes?

 

If this is it, then yes....

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This is what I have on hand. I can go get the yellow stuff if necessary

 

Dont use that stuff you show... Use what I show TFE paste with teflon..

 

A good practice that I've used to prevent leaks when installing threaded fittings is to make a sandwich of tape and plumber's paste containing teflon. First install a dry-run of the fitting with a healthy layer of paste on it, then back the fitting out, apply a light coat of paste followed by a tape wrap, followed by a light coat of paste on the tape before buttoning things back up. Never had leaks using this method, but I've had several if trying to do it quick and easy, using just tape or paste.