View Full Version : New replacement shower arm is leaking
 
 BoxerLover55
Feb 9, 2009, 02:40 PM
The shower arm on my shower broke and I had to replace the shower arm and flange.   I put pipe thread seal tape on the end of the new pipe before putting it in.   I tighten the arm on the pipe and turned on the water to check for leaks.   It still leaks.   I tried to tighten it more but ended up breaking the new shower arm.   I got a new shower arm and tried again.   It still leaks, I tighten it again but I'm afraid to tighten it too much or it will break again.   What else can I do to stop the new shower arm from leaking?   
 
Thanks,   
Gina
 massplumber2008
Feb 9, 2009, 03:13 PM
How many wraps of teflon tape?
 BoxerLover55
Feb 9, 2009, 04:07 PM
The first time I only wrapped it once around overlapping slightly.    The second time I wrapped it at least 3 times around.
 mygirlsdad77
Feb 9, 2009, 04:17 PM
Do you have a plastic shower arm?  Are you sure you got the old threads completely out before installing the new arm?  Im a little confused as to whether you are talking about the shower head, or arm.  You say you put teflon on pipe and then installed arm onto pipe
 
I provided a pic of the shower arm and flange. Let me know if we are on the same page.
 BoxerLover55
Feb 9, 2009, 04:30 PM
Yes,  I thought I got all the old shower arm out.   The old one was plastic,  the new one is chrome.
 BoxerLover55
Feb 9, 2009, 04:33 PM
It is the shower arm I am replacing.   It doesn't seem hard and should be straight forward.  I just don't understand why it still leaks.   I will have to remove the new one again and check to be sure I got all the old one out first.   Also will put more tape on it this time.   
 
Thanks,
 mygirlsdad77
Feb 9, 2009, 04:37 PM
So it is leaking in the wall, where the arm threads into the female adapter?  You may have a crack in the female thread that arm threads into.  I would try wrapping the arm 5 to 6 times and see what happens.  If it still leaks, it really sounds like a split drop L(the part the arm threads into).  Take a good flashlight and shine in this part, see if you can see any signs of a crack or split.
 mygirlsdad77
Feb 9, 2009, 04:39 PM
Are you sure its leaking at the threads?  Or is it possible that the pipe supplying the shower head isn't leaking.  Sorry I ask so many questions, but it's the only way for me to help.
 BoxerLover55
Feb 10, 2009, 06:51 AM
I will be looking at it again this morning.  Hopefully wrapping it 5 or 6 times will help and I can then repair the wall.   Thanks for  all your help.   Much appreciated.
 mygirlsdad77
Feb 10, 2009, 04:44 PM
Please let us know how things turn out.  Take care,
 
Lee
 BoxerLover55
Feb 10, 2009, 06:04 PM
Hi Lee,    I worked on the shower arm today and checked the pipe in the wall which turned out to be OK.   I rewrapped the arm 5 or 6 times with the tape and it worked.   I was so happy to see it wasn't leaking.   This has been a year of challenges for me.  Since I'm on my own (recently lost my husband) and can't afford to hire a handy man.  I give most of my thanks to my father who taught me so much.  I want to thank you for your assistance with this problem and checking back with me to see if I was able to fix it.  I was truly at my wits end after 5 hours of working on it yesterday.   Thanks a million.  
 
Gina
 mygirlsdad77
Feb 11, 2009, 04:42 PM
Just happy you got it fixed.  Good job by the way.  Take care,
 
Lee