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Posted by ConnetiCat on June 18, 2008, 11:29 am
On Jun 18, 8:39=A0am, trad...@optonline.net wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
nZ2d@comcast.com:
>
> > > 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. =A0What could=
I
> > >> have done wrong? =A0All my solder is holding (so far). =A0I'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. =A0HELP I am about t=
o
> > >> 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 meta=
l
> > > 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
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- If pkg says 1/2 turn past contact, that's it. No m=
ore
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0no matter how "loose" it may seem. If it leaks
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0(rare occurance) you can always give it another =
=A01/16th turn.
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0- for unspecified tightening, contact then just a ve=
ry
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0little more so it DOES leak. Tighten till it sto=
ps.
>
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Like cutting lumber, you can always make it shorter. =
=A0 =A0- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> For many installs, you don't even need unions, which are just an
> additional source or trouble. =A0 In many cases, with some ability to
> move the pipes a bit, you can just use solder type couplings.- Hide quote=
d text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Looks like the union itself is all schmugged up...there are big pits
on one half from the manufacturing/casting. Bought a new union, will
see how that works.
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