Water is leaking from this and into my licing room

Veg Zombie · 10-28-2012, 01:37 AM

This is located just above my water heater and was once located behind the wall. (I did not reveal it, the wall was already busted into when we moved in).

Can you tell me what this is and if its an east fix?

**oh'mike** · 10-28-2012, 03:47 AM

That looks like a pressure regulator----There is a union at the top---If there is another on the bottom---that should be able to be changed with a pair of Crescent wrenches---

Is it leaking from the union at the bottom? If so you may be able to stop the leak by tightening it ---you may need to open the union and replace the washer----

You will have to get that part from a plumbing supply house----

Veg Zombie · 10-28-2012, 11:04 AM

Water is leaking from this and into my licing room-image-3698757307.jpg

It's definitely leaking from the bottom. I don't have a crescent wrench big enough for it so I'm about to go out and get one. There is only a union on top and just threading on bottom.

If I tighten the union all should be well?

**oh'mike** · 10-28-2012, 11:23 AM

No---You will need to open the union at the top----don't loose the washer--if it has one---

Then unscrew the regulator----add TPE paste to the threads---then a wrap of pipe tape--then reinstall the regulator---and then tighten up the union.

TFE paste (pipe dope) is available in little tubes----no need for a big bottle ----hold the pipe while you turn on/off the regulator---copper is easy to twist up and damage----

funfool · 10-28-2012, 11:32 AM

If it is leaking from the bottom, you may want to remove it, clean the the threads and apply some thread sealer and re-install it.
They may have used teflon tape on the threads, and that works most times.

Could also just be they did not fully tighten it, they wanted to leave it in this direction for easy access to adjust it.
If you can simply tighten it and a full turn would be awesome and probably fix it, if you get 3/4 turn will you still be able to access to adjust if needed?
If you only get about a 1/4 turn, probably wont be enough to fix it, take it off and clean the threads and thread seal and re-install.

joecaption · 10-28-2012, 11:39 AM

Shut the main water valve off first!

Veg Zombie · 10-28-2012, 04:29 PM

Thank you all for your help. I I've taken off the top union. The bottom threading is stuck. I used a vise wrench and a crescent wrench and nothing it won't budge. So I tightened everything back up. The leak on the bottom is worse than before. I called a plumber they'll be here sometime tomorrow. In the meantime our water is off and we have frankenstorm (Hurricane Sandy) coming hitting later tonight.

joecaption · 10-28-2012, 04:46 PM

You do know the two side loosen in two differant directions, right?

**oh'mike** · 10-28-2012, 04:49 PM

Sorry that didn't work for you----I hope you get it fixed before that storm hits----

Yikes I feel bad----a plumber with a soldering torch will have you up and going in a hurry---Mike----

10-28-2012, 01:37 AM	#1
Veg Zombie Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 3	Water is leaking from this and into my licing room This is located just above my water heater and was once located behind the wall. (I did not reveal it, the wall was already busted into when we moved in). Can you tell me what this is and if its an east fix? Last edited by Veg Zombie; 10-28-2012 at 01:41 AM.

10-28-2012, 03:47 AM	#2
oh'mike Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kane county,Illinois Posts: 16,762	Water is leaking from this and into my licing room That looks like a pressure regulator----There is a union at the top---If there is another on the bottom---that should be able to be changed with a pair of Crescent wrenches--- Is it leaking from the union at the bottom? If so you may be able to stop the leak by tightening it ---you may need to open the union and replace the washer---- You will have to get that part from a plumbing supply house---- __________________ New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

10-28-2012, 11:04 AM	#3
Veg Zombie Newbie Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 3	Water is leaking from this and into my licing room It's definitely leaking from the bottom. I don't have a crescent wrench big enough for it so I'm about to go out and get one. There is only a union on top and just threading on bottom. If I tighten the union all should be well?

10-28-2012, 11:23 AM	#4
oh'mike Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kane county,Illinois Posts: 16,762	Water is leaking from this and into my licing room No---You will need to open the union at the top----don't loose the washer--if it has one--- Then unscrew the regulator----add TPE paste to the threads---then a wrap of pipe tape--then reinstall the regulator---and then tighten up the union. TFE paste (pipe dope) is available in little tubes----no need for a big bottle ----hold the pipe while you turn on/off the regulator---copper is easy to twist up and damage---- __________________ New members: Adding your location to your profile helps in many ways.--M--

10-28-2012, 11:32 AM	#5
funfool Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 686	Water is leaking from this and into my licing room If it is leaking from the bottom, you may want to remove it, clean the the threads and apply some thread sealer and re-install it. They may have used teflon tape on the threads, and that works most times. Could also just be they did not fully tighten it, they wanted to leave it in this direction for easy access to adjust it. If you can simply tighten it and a full turn would be awesome and probably fix it, if you get 3/4 turn will you still be able to access to adjust if needed? If you only get about a 1/4 turn, probably wont be enough to fix it, take it off and clean the threads and thread seal and re-install. __________________ If it was easy, we would not call it work!

Water is leaking from this and into my licing room