[cmwhitmoyer]

Since the Coronavirus has us restricted to home, I have been finishing some projects that I didn't complete when we bought our house. Last week, my wife was cleaning the basement family room when she noticed a wet spot on the floor and up the wall next the baseboard heat. I pulled the cover to the baseboard and found the drain valve was leaking. How long it was leaking I have no idea but the water was wicking up the panelling and 4 inches of the fiberglass insulation. Yesterday I finally ventured out to Lowe's to get my supplies: a section of 3/4" copper, an elbow, tee, a sweat to thread adapter, and a new 3/4" valve. Initially, I hoped just to swap the valve but wanted to be ready just in case I could not unscrew the valve. The good news is the valve unscrewed. The bad news is that it was 1/2" not 3/4". Luckily,I only live 3 miles from Lowes. Quick trip back and I have the correct part. I put 4 wraps of teflon tape and screw it in. I charged the system and you guessed it, a drip! At that point dinner was ready so I said the heck with it and decided to redo it today.
This morning, I tried it again. Drained the line, unhooked the drain hose and about a gallon of water decided to run out onto the floor. I get that cleaned up, undo the valve, and wrap 6 turns of teflon, and screw it in. Charged the system and so far no leaks.

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[Windows on Wash]

Well...I hate painting more than plumbing, but you got it done.

 

[cmwhitmoyer]

I can only cut in trim for an hour before I have to walk away from it. After that the paint ends up where I don't want it.

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[SeniorSitizen]

With there being such a lack of quality control since all the foreign manufacturers have ruled the industry i apply a new trick i learned sometime back. Plumbers won't acknowledge this because it takes time to correct manufacturers screw ups, but this is a DIY site. You had to do it twice anyway. This way you won't get the disappointing feeling.













First, connect the 2 fittings with a lubricant applied, even brass to brass. Tighten hell out of it. This will allow the 2 sets of threads to conform to each other better. Then back it off and apply your 4 rounds of tape and assemble.

 

[Drachenfire]

I found this is not unusual when installing new fixtures to older plumbing. On the plus side it is a good feeling when you are able to find a solution that works.

I bet you felt pretty good that you fixed it on the second attempt.

 

[rjniles]

I have become a belt & suspenders kinda guy (probably because my gut is so big my pants fall down). On threaded connections I use both Teflon tape and RectorSeal with PTFE (Teflon).

 

[TheEplumber]

Apply a thin coat of teflon pipe dope to the threads and 2 wraps of Monster tape in the proper direction. Tape, by itself is not a good practice on steel/brass