I'm installing a new shower valve for a new bathroom in our house. I've plumbed everything in, and I can't get rid of a tiny leak on the bottom of the shower valve. Since it's just a shower, I plugged the threaded tub filler connection with the supplied brass plug. No matter what I do, I end up with a leak of about 1 drop per 2 hours. I've got a pipe wrench on this sucker and have tried 3 wraps / 6 wraps / 8 wraps of teflon tape, but it leaks every time. Is there some trick i don't know about? My other threaded connections are leak-free.
can't stop a drip!
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look closely to be sure it's threading on correctly. i got the wife a new washer last week and the cheap plastic inlet allowed me to easily boo-boo and screw the hose on slightly askew, thereby leaving me with a slight drip as well. it looked REAL CLOSE to straight on, but was not, and it leaked. i reset it and all's well now. perhaps some plumber's dope instead of teflon?
DM
DM
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As someone suggested, check the cast. If it is a crack in the cast, you may be able to make it reveal itself by grabbing the body of the fixture and applying pressure in various directions, like you're trying to bend it.
But it still could be leaking through the threaded joint. That would be my first guess. Is the plug tight? Does it get tighter as it goes in? Does it bottom out before it gets tight?
You may want to try a different plug made from galvanized or make one from copper using a male fitting, a small piece of pipe and a cap. (That's what I did on a recent shower project.)
By the way, I've always had much better luck sealing joints for the long haul with teflon tape than pipe dope. I've had pipe doped joints start leaking months later. I hate it when that happens.
Edit: By the way, there shouldn't be any pressure on that joint when the water is turned off, so it should leak faster when the shower is turned on, if that's where it's coming from. Is that the case? If not, the water may be coming from one of the pressurized joints and migrating to the plug. Also check the joint for the pipe that goes up to the shower head. '
Is this a traditional two-handle set-up?
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Isn't that just the casting mark/seam?
I'd try soldering it. :yes:
Of course, you have to take the plastic and rubber guts out first.
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i'd try a hose clamp to keep it good and tight and pipe dope it, inside and out. allow to dry before turning water back on.
they also make any number of other products, such as the goop you use to do marine repairs and gas tank leaks. epoxy puttys, spray on rubber crap,etc. some may work, others may not. or just pull the piece and replace it, or try soldering it......
nice thing about this site... lots of options to choose from.... lol
DM
they also make any number of other products, such as the goop you use to do marine repairs and gas tank leaks. epoxy puttys, spray on rubber crap,etc. some may work, others may not. or just pull the piece and replace it, or try soldering it......
nice thing about this site... lots of options to choose from.... lol
DM
Pipe thread compound of any type isn't made to stop /seal leaks.. It only lubircates threads
i would take the tape off and use some pipe joint compound with some fine lampwick (quick wick) whatever you want to call it. Wrap the wick around the threds in conjunction with the PJC. When the water hits the wick it will expand to fill small voids - sounds like with such a minor drip that should fix your problem. Use a good PJC - not sure where you are located but I'm sure your local supply house will stock a good brand.
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