I'm using the armored flexible water supply lines for my kitchen sink's faucet. The 3/8 fitting attached to the cold water shut-off valve under the sink is dripping. The flex hose's 3/8 connection end has a rubber washer inside the nut that comes into contact with the face of the compression nipple on the shut-off valve. When installing, I did not use any teflon tape or include the compression furrel ring. I assume the rubber washer is all that snuggs down to create the watertight connection. Wondering if I've got these things too tight - -how tight should they be? Should I have used joint compound or teflon tape as well? I've replaced this hose twice now to no avail. The shut-off valve is brand new with no ridges or burrs on the 3/8 connection nipple that I can feel. Perhaps I should go back to the old fashioned metal hose that actually uses the furrel ring and the compression nut on the shut-off valve. Any advice? Thanks!

massplumber2008

FFF..how are you....been awhile..yes??

Hey, sounds like you did everything just right. The flexi. riser should be tightened good and hand tight plus a good full turn or two. I use my pliers and snug up just till I feel a bit of resistance and stop. Then I test them out.

You do not need teflon or pipe dope. Let me know what happens...these are great connectors.

Note here, that you could have a defective shutoff (thread crack, for example)...but it is something like 1 in 500 shutoffs...so doubtful. If third flexi. doesn't work...look closely at the shutoff...see from there.

And you are absolutely sure the leak is from the compression nut/flexi. riser joint...not the PACKING NUT at the shutoff stem...right?? You know I had to at least ask you... Also note that when you do finally get this resolved you want to tighten the packing nuts snug to those shutoffs if you haven't already...

Hey, let us know what happens..always curious about end results!! Good move on the sharkbit fittings in last post!! Talk later...Mark

If my answer helped please RATE THIS ANSWER...Thank you.

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funfamilyfare

hmmmm.... let me get home tonight and tighten the packing nut on the shutoff valve. This is certainly (and probably) true! Glad you DID ask as I hadn't thought about this one. I may have some extra flex hoses for sale on ebay!!!

massplumber2008

Hey FFF..then that is it for sure...almost all packing nuts leak after shutoffs first installed. Good luck!! and thanks for positive rate.. Mark

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funfamilyfare

Hi MP!
Well, that was it. I tightened the packing nuts on all my nrwly installed shutoff valves, aand now am enjoying totally dry under-counter spaces! Thanks for your advice! Experience makes all the difference!
Best regards,
FFF

KeepItSimpleStupid

Hey, but I just ran into a sudden thread crack. A brass 3/8 compression to 5/8 compression union was disturbed/re-installed in January. This week it started to leak suddenly big time. It was a thread crack on the 5/8 compression side. They are hard to spot if you don't know what your looking for.