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Posted by Red Green on June 18, 2008, 12:58 am
> ConnetiCat wrote:
>
>> I just connected my new hot water heater, and the hot/cold brass
>> unions are leaking no matter how tight I tighten them. What could I
>> have done wrong? All my solder is holding (so far). I'm afraid I'm
>> going to twist the pipes right off if I tighten these things anymore.
>> The last time I installed a hot water heater I used solid copper
>> unions, which seem more flexible and forgiving. HELP I am about to
>> cry.
> They are leaking between the 2 halves right? Not at the threaded
> joints. If thats so, then make sure the seating surfaces of each half
> is clean, shiney and no scores or dings. You're after a metal to metal
> seal here, so dont put any pipe dope or anything like that on them.
> sometimes a little (very little) smear of cooking oil or vasoline on
> the surfaces can help. If you way overtightened it you probably
> damaged the mating surfaces and its time for a new union. On a new
> one, tighten till snug, thats close enough. I find most people way
> over tighten every thing from bolts to pipes to oil filters. Eric
>
>
> I find most people way
> over tighten every thing from bolts to pipes to oil filters.
Yep, and I've been guilty of both compression fittings and oil filters.
What seems to work for me:
Oil filters for 3/4 turn past contact - Mark it at 12, 3, 6 and 9
o'clock. Contact then tighten 9 hrs ahead no matter how "loose" it may
seem. Never leaks. Always comes off easy.
Compression fittings on water
- If pkg says 1/2 turn past contact, that's it. No more
no matter how "loose" it may seem. If it leaks
(rare occurance) you can always give it another 1/16th turn.
- for unspecified tightening, contact then just a very
little more so it DOES leak. Tighten till it stops.
Like cutting lumber, you can always make it shorter.
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