Leaking tap help-not motorhome

[Ingwe]

In our second home in France, we have a leaking kitchen tap that I’d like to fix. As far as I can see the leak is at the joint arrowed in the attached photo. There looks to already be some PTFE tape on this joint (see white band).

Is it a question of:

1. Turning off the tank (it’s a hot water tap)
2. Loosening the rear nut with a spanner then replacing the PTFE or adding more
3. Tightening the rear nut and holding the middle nut still with another spanner. I’ve got a plumber’s wrench
4. Then checking whether it still leaks

 

[Badknee]

Loosening the rear nut with a spanner then replacing the PTFE or adding more

Replace the ptfe with twenty wraps, that should do it.

Good luck

Edit: there may be a fibre washer in between the chrome nut and the tap fitting?

 

[Odd-no-more]

The leaking joint looks like a compression fitting, if so it should not have PTFE on the thread it can make it more likely to leak. Undo the back nut remove the PTFE add some jointing compound to the olive and re-fit the nut
Edit if the leak is in front of the arrow, it will need a new washer.

 

[dazandandrea]

Before undoing anything, have you tried just tightening it up a bit. ?

 

[Ingwe]

Before undoing anything, have you tried just tightening it up a bit. ?

No, I haven’t tried this yet. Sorry for being thick, should I tighten the back nut and hold the middle one with the wrench?

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[Ingwe]

The leaking joint looks like a compression fitting, if so it should not have PTFE on the thread it can make it more likely to leak. Undo the back nut remove the PTFE add some jointing compound to the olive and re-fit the nut
Edit if the leak is in front of the arrow, it will need a new washer.

Presumably, I need to turn off the hot tank first?

 

[dazandandrea]

No, I haven’t tried this yet. Sorry for being thick, should I tighten the back nut and hold the middle one with the wrench?

Im not entirely sure but it looks like a compression fitting so try that. Worth a try.

 

[Ingwe]

Thank you. This has certainly helped. Drip now almost stopped. Worry about over tightening it and causing damage. May celebrate and have a cup of tea before seeing whether to tighten further.
Thanks everyone. As usual, Funsters deliver! What a fund of knowledge and goodwill. Absolutely roasting here in Burgundy and little desire to undertake any task.

 

[MisterB]

Coincidentally, I've just had a similar issue in a caravan (not mine) on the Vendée. Someone tried to replace their washbasin in a UK built van, with UK pipework and fittings, using French flexible tap connectors, they thought they could use a standard compression olive and nut into a threaded end (BSP) that doesn't have a recess for the olive. Sorted it with a couple of bushes and and threaded couplings. If you think leaks in a building are bad over a period of time, they're nothing compared to ones in a caravan !!

 

[Ingwe]

Incidentally, I appreciate that this has been a temporary answer. We’re very remote here and on Monday, we’ll go into the nearest town and get some jointing paste and also a selection of fibre washers and do it properly.

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[Richard n Ann]

Incidentally, I appreciate that this has been a temporary answer. We’re very remote here and on Monday, we’ll go into the nearest town and get some jointing paste and also a selection of fibre washers and do it properly.

T plus 2 is the best jointing paste. Was told about it by some lads that install compressed air systems, they swear by it.

RectorSeal T Plus 2

Features PTFE enriched For use with potable water (hot or cold) Lead free and contains no other metals Lubricates and protects threads Formulated for plastic and metal pipe

rectorseal.com

 

[MisterB]

if its not leaking after tightening it up, i wouldnt bother stripping it all out to stop a non existent leak. if it doesnt leak then its fixed ...

 

[Ingwe]

if its not leaking after tightening it up, i wouldnt bother stripping it all out to stop a non existent leak. if it doesnt leak then its fixed ...

………till it starts again.

 

[Ingwe]

T plus 2 is the best jointing paste. Was told about it by some lads that install compressed air systems, they swear by it.

RectorSeal T Plus 2

Features PTFE enriched For use with potable water (hot or cold) Lead free and contains no other metals Lubricates and protects threads Formulated for plastic and metal pipe

rectorseal.com

I hope I can get this or similar in France.

 

[MisterB]

………till it starts again.

which may be never ....

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[dazandandrea]

if its not leaking after tightening it up, i wouldnt bother stripping it all out to stop a non existent leak. if it doesnt leak then its fixed ...

Too right. If itvaint bust, dont fix it
Nice to know youve sorted it.
On a side note.
Wife told me earlier this year the bathroom radiator needed taking off and the joins needed sorting as it was leeking.
Turns out she had got out of the bath and splashed some water on the floor under the radiator. I always check now.

 

[Ingwe]

which may be never ....

……..with my luck, unlikely.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Presumably, I need to turn off the hot tank first?

yes