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-   -   How can I stop a slow drip in a copper termination fitting on a brass shower valve? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=813575)

  • Jul 1, 2015, 01:16 PM
    Jonl51
    How can I stop a slow drip in a copper termination fitting on a brass shower valve?
    The copper termination fitting is threaded on the brass shower valve on the cold water supply side. All the copper pipe is soldered with no leaks, but now there is a
    Slow drip from the threaded portion of the copper termination fitting where it meets the brass valve. I used Teflon tape on the threads, but perhaps it needs additional tightening which can't be done now due to soldered pipes. Ugh! Help!
  • Jul 1, 2015, 01:55 PM
    ma0641
    About the only proper thing to do is to take the piping apart, tighten and resolder.
  • Jul 1, 2015, 04:01 PM
    afaroo
    Yep I agree with Ma0641 you need to take the piping apart and use extra Teflon tape on the fitting threads assemble and solder, good luck.

    John
  • Jul 1, 2015, 04:59 PM
    Jonl51
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ma0641 View Post
    About the only proper thing to do is to take the piping apart, tighten and resolder.


    Thank you!
  • Jul 1, 2015, 05:54 PM
    Jonl51
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Jonl51 View Post
    Thank you!

    Before I take the pipes apart, is there any chance that I could sweat
    The leaking joint after removing water, cleaning and fluxing? Or will the
    Teflon tape on the threads not visible just burn up and make things worse?
  • Jul 1, 2015, 06:10 PM
    massplumber2008
    The repair would only be superficial and eventually end up leaking. As much as it stinks, do it right and never worry about this again!

    Mark
  • Jul 1, 2015, 06:44 PM
    Jonl51
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by massplumber2008 View Post
    The repair would only be superficial and eventually end up leaking. As much as it stinks, do it right and never worry about this again!

    Mark


    Thank you Mark. Yes, I want it done right.
  • Jul 2, 2015, 02:34 AM
    Mike45plus
    Jon,
    After removing the leaking connector, I suggest pre - fabricating the new adapter fitting with a short piece of pipe - solder this joint, and let it cool before assembly with the body of the valve - this will prevent over heating both the valve body & what ever joint sealant you use. We prefer 4 - 5 wraps ( clockwise ) of Teflon tape together with a quality pipe joint compound..........
  • Jul 2, 2015, 07:32 AM
    jlisenbe
    Quote:

    All the copper pipe is soldered with no leaks, but now there is a slow drip from the threaded portion of the copper termination fitting where it meets the brass valve. I used Teflon tape on the threads
    Is it leaking around the threaded fitting, or from a soldered joint? If it is from the threaded area, why would he want to re-solder? Just curious.
  • Jul 2, 2015, 08:17 AM
    Jonl51
    Thank you a very good tip.
  • Jul 2, 2015, 08:30 AM
    Jonl51
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Mike45plus View Post
    Jon,
    After removing the leaking connector, I suggest pre - fabricating the new adapter fitting with a short piece of pipe - solder this joint, and let it cool before assembly with the body of the valve - this will prevent over heating both the valve body & what ever joint sealant you use. We prefer 4 - 5 wraps ( clockwise ) of Teflon tape together with a quality pipe joint compound..........


    I tried one last idea before having to re-do the joint from scratch. I heated up
    The nearest soldered joint until it melted and with the heat still on, tightened the
    Termination fixture. Then quickly added flux and a little solder to the reheated joint.
    Thoughts? Because of the small space I am in, re-doing from scratch will be a
    Challenge.
  • Jul 2, 2015, 09:13 AM
    Mike45plus
    I'd say it's worth a try, as long as you're on your own dime, you can work safely, and, you have access for additional repair if needed...
  • Jul 2, 2015, 09:47 AM
    hkstroud
    Quote:

    I heated up The nearest soldered joint until it melted and with the heat still on, tightened the Termination fixture.
    I recently tried that, didn't work. I don't have enough hands. Solder solidifies to fast.

    More important, if the solder joint is any near the fitting, the fitting will be hot. When copper is hot it softens. The wrench will distort the fitting.
  • Jul 3, 2015, 01:41 AM
    afaroo
    Yep I agree with Hkstroud I am afraid it will not work, Thanks.

    John

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