After capping off a water supply line at the tee where it branched off to another building, I'm having a heckuva time trying to get small leaks stopped. First leak is where galvanized nipple with cap goes into what I assume is ABS, and where it attaches to poly barb feeding toward house. The old pipe is PE, and its very hard, hard to clamp. The three leaks are on the upper part of the T, basically both ends and in the middle. Tried putting on another clamp near nipple and tightened clamps in middle, but apparently only made it worse. By worse, I mean it leaks about a tablespoon per 12 hours or so. Other two leaks are minor, but they weren't there before I put the second clamp on.

This is driving me crazy! Is there anything I can do/use to stop the leaks, such as an epoxy, self-fusing silcone tape, etc. that would stop it? I want to get it fixed and don't want to have to worry about it getting worse or failing over time. I've read epoxies and tapes or more of a temp fix rather than permanent, but any ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated!48686

I put some notes on your picture see if that will help, Thanks.

John

Remove all clamps and clean the pipes well. Next, install new hose clamps, BUT, use a torch to slightly heat the black tubing where the clamp will be tightened.. just a little heat, so when you tighten the clamps this time, the clamp will effectively BITE into the tubing a bit. When done just right, a very small amount of plastic protrudes into the channels of the clamp(s). If you overheat, the clamp will simply squish the tube and you'll need to start over with new tubing.

That is the "trick" to this stuff.. *wink*.

Mark

Thanks guys. Do you think I should use the pinch clamps (oetieker clamps?) as opposed to the snake clamps? The pipe coming into the tee and feeding back to house is the old PE, and it is hard as a bone, so I understand the need to heat it a little. If I had to guess, it was installed in sometime between 1969 and 1972. I think it was a "shade tree" job as opposed to professional. I'm almost scared to touch it, it seems if I look it it causes a leak. The leaks appear to have slowed down over the past 24 hrs. Any possibility of it sealing itself? If there is only a drop or two each day over the next few days, would you recommend I leave it alone and cover it up, maybe the dirt would help seal it off?

A plumber put the pipe on it with the nipple and cap, and only leak was where pipe attached to nipple. Like I said, I put on the additional clamp (but didn't use the "trick" of heating it prior) and somehow created the other leaks.

Thanks, all your advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated!