Leaking compression joint(cold)

[Leakylunar]

Hi fitted a new shower (thermostatic) in my house yesterday found out it’s leaking from cold feed . As it’s and olive( compression) fitting what is better to use plumbers Mait,
Thread compound ect any help greatly received.

 

[Lenny HB]

If the fitting has a brass olive you may not have tightened it enough, a small amount of plumbers mate smeared on the jointing surface can help.

 

[Leakylunar]

Yes, it said 1/4 -1/2 turn from finger tight.

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes, it said 1/4 -1/2 turn from finger tight.

Give it another tweak, that's OK with a copper olive but brass ones need a fair bit of force.

 

[MattR]

Yes, it said 1/4 -1/2 turn from finger tight.

I tend to find those suggestions are too lose. I use about 3/4 turn after finger tight but that varies too. Have you used PTFE tape?

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[Lenny HB]

I tend to find those suggestions are too lose. I use about 3/4 turn after finger tight but that varies too. Have you used PTFE tape?

That's one way of making a compression joint leak.

 

[MattR]

That's one way of making a compression joint leak.

Over tightening does cause it to leak but I've yet to get the compression joints I've used to seat and seal properly with a 1/4 - 1/2 turn after finger tight.

Some people swear by PTFE tape. Others don't use it.

Edit: I was using it on pipes that had previously had olives on. I had removed them and used new olives and PTFE tape to cushion any distortion. It isn't needed for new pipes.

For the two thermostatic showers I've installed in the last 3 weeks, both had PTFE tape and between 1/2 and 3/4 of a turn after finger tight. One leaked at 1/3 turn and didn't stop until 3/4.

Ps. I'm not a plumber and have only fitted around 10 showers. I'm sure others will advise from a professional point of view.

 

[Stealaway]

Hi fitted a new shower (thermostatic) in my house yesterday found out it’s leaking from cold feed . As it’s and olive( compression) fitting what is better to use plumbers Mait,
Thread compound ect any help greatly received.

A common problem is using the wrong type of olive.
Using a brass olive on nylon pipe will distort the nylon and it will never seal.
Its also needs a strong pull to seal a copper washer on a copper pipe.
Check the correct type of olive has been used/supplied.

 

[Leakylunar]

Ok thanks, I didn’t use ptfe tape. I’ll give it another 1/4 turn see how it goes

 

[Leakylunar]

Brass fitting inc olive onto copper pipe.

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[MattR]

Ok thanks, I didn’t use ptfe tape. I’ll give it another 1/4 turn see how it goes

Don't do a full 1/4 turn... Do it in stages until it stops leaking. You can cause more issues by over tightening it.

 

[Leakylunar]

Couldn’t find a leak yesterday only this morning. At least the hot pipe seems fine.

 

[Basildog]

Over tightening does cause it to leak but I've yet to get the compression joints I've used to seat and seal properly with a 1/4 - 1/2 turn after finger tight.

Some people swear by PTFE tape. Others don't use it.

For the two thermostatic showers I've installed in the last 3 weeks, both had PTFE tape and between 1/2 and 3/4 of a turn after finger tight. One leaked at 1/3 turn and didn't stop until 3/4.

PTFE tape on any compression joint is basically a bodge

 

[MattR]

PTFE tape on any compression joint is basically a bodge

I was taught to use it over 20 years ago when on a short plumbing course. I'm guessing it was used to try and get us to a basic standard... The next stage would be to say "now you've bodged it, do it without". It still seems to be used by some folk, especially when using olives on pipe that has been previously olived. I am however, just a DIYer who has done it for personal use on my properties but the technique has worked well so far.

 

[Lenny HB]

I was taught to use it over 20 years ago when on a short plumbing course. I'm guessing it was used to try and get us to a basic standard... The next stage would be to say "now you've bodged it, do it without". It still seems to be used by some folk, especially when using olives on pipe that has been previously olived. I am however, just a DIYer who has done it for personal use on my properties but the technique has worked well so far.

But if the old pipe is indented and won't seal without a bodge the logical thing to do is cut the pipe back and fit a short section of new pipe, that's what I would do.

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[MattR]

But if the old pipe is indented and won't seal without a bodge the logical thing to do is cut the pipe back and fit a short section of new pipe, that's what I would do.

It depends on lots of factors in my DIY perspective. Two or three rounds of ptfe tape is a lot quicker and is apparently effective enough to stop a joint leaking. Trying to cut back a damaged pipe and soldering on a new piece requires tools and skills that many folk don't have.

Again, I'm not a professional but ptfe hasn't failed me yet.

 

[dulvil]

It depends on lots of factors in my DIY perspective. Two or three rounds of ptfe tape is a lot quicker and is apparently effective enough to stop a joint leaking. Trying to cut back a damaged pipe and soldering on a new piece requires tools and skills that many folk don't have.

Again, I'm not a professional but ptfe hasn't failed me yet.

Ptfe tape would come with all compression fittings if it was needed

 

[Plumb]

Well it would also come with joining compound if it was needed! But in my experience something like jet blue potable jointing compound is essential

 

[MattR]

Ptfe tape would come with all compression fittings if it was needed

Ironically, one of the showers I fitted recently came with a roll.

However, I'm still using rolls that I bought years ago as one roll lasts me a long time.

Professional plumbers are clearly experienced enough to not need it or can easily replace pipe that has been deformed from olives. In my more limited experience, I use it on compression joints for pipes that have had olives on and it works for me. I also use it on some new pipes when I haven't been able to stop it weeping and don't want to risk over-tightening it. Again, a professional plumber wouldn't but it works for me.

 

[jockaneezer]

I've always put a wipe of Plumber's Mait on Conex compression fittings and if you have expensive tastes and like a bit of ptfe, Loctite 567 does a good job too.

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[Leakylunar]

I e got loctite 577!

 

[The Wino]

That's one way of making a compression joint leak.

I always use PTFE and have very few if any leaks. How did you use it? I usually tighten up the fitting enough to seat the olive then undo the fitting wrap a bit of PTFE over the olive and refit/ tighten fully. I have seen some compression fittings where people have put PTFE on the threads of the fittings which to me seems pointless.

 

[Lenny HB]

I always use PTFE and have very few if any leaks. How did you use it? I usually tighten up the fitting enough to seat the olive then undo the fitting wrap a bit of PTFE over the olive and refit/ tighten fully. I have seen some compression fittings where people have put PTFE on the threads of the fittings which to me seems pointless.

I don't.

 

[Basildog]

I threaten customers with the ruler over their knuckles when we hear them mention PTFE tape and sealing compounds
PTFE tape and sealing compounds will often cause a leak as it makes the joint feel tight long before it actually is .

 

[Leakylunar]

We’ll hear goes , got home ready to tighten the offending gubbings

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[dulvil]

Ironically, one of the showers I fitted recently came with a roll.

However, I'm still using rolls that I bought years ago as one roll lasts me a long time.

Professional plumbers are clearly experienced enough to not need it or can easily replace pipe that has been deformed from olives. In my more limited experience, I use it on compression joints for pipes that have had olives on and it works for me. I also use it on some new pipes when I haven't been able to stop it weeping and don't want to risk over-tightening it. Again, a professional plumber wouldn't but it works for me.

Sorry but if you heed to use ptfe tape on compression fittings something is wrong and asking for hassle later in time

 

[berni109]

Never ptfe on gas but on water if a bit of tightening dont fix it and u cant patch in a new length pipe then try it.
Couple of twists around the pipe and the olive then reinsert.
(If it works dont knock it!)

 

[Boringfrog]

I threaten customers with the ruler over their knuckles when we hear them mention PTFE tape and sealing compounds
PTFE tape and sealing compounds will often cause a leak as it makes the joint feel tight long before it actually is .

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I like your work.....

 

[Lenny HB]

I threaten customers with the ruler over their knuckles when we hear them mention PTFE tape and sealing compounds
PTFE tape and sealing compounds will often cause a leak as it makes the joint feel tight long before it actually is .

View attachment 713911 View attachment 713912 View attachment 713913 View attachment 713914 View attachment 713915

I don't think much of your quality plumbing.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

A lot of plumbers I've watched on site would tighten the compression fitting as supplied, then loosen it off again and then wind a couple of twist of PTFE around the thread then re-tighten. I don't recall having to go back on their work frequently.
Each to their own I guess
Mike.

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