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    phillipdobbins's Avatar
    phillipdobbins Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Nov 22, 2009, 04:51 PM
    Copper pipe compression fitting leaks
    How do I get the copper pipe fitting to stop dripping ?

    I have put (2) new compression fittings on , after sanding off the old copper pipe some.

    Am I tightening it too much ?
    massplumber2008's Avatar
    massplumber2008 Posts: 12,832, Reputation: 1212
    Senior Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #2

    Nov 22, 2009, 06:12 PM
    Hi Phillip...

    Sounds like you did everything right here. You used all new ferrules and nuts.. correct?

    Further, I think you are onto something when you suggest that you may have overtightened things.

    If possible, start over with new nuts/ferrules... maybe need to add a compression coupling in there now, but no big deal 'cause this stuff is so easy to work with.. usually... ;)

    Start over, but don't overtighten. Test as you go. Once you are satisfied that you are leak free, add a 1/2 turn to each nut and out this all to bed! You should be all set after that!

    MARK
    Milo Dolezal's Avatar
    Milo Dolezal Posts: 7,192, Reputation: 523
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #3

    Nov 22, 2009, 06:17 PM

    I agree with Mark. Sometimes the ferrule connection will leak when tightened too much... Do as Mark advised and you should be just fine. Good luck. Milo
    EPMiller's Avatar
    EPMiller Posts: 624, Reputation: 37
    Senior Member
    		  
    #4

    Nov 22, 2009, 06:19 PM

    Possibly overtightening, possibly sanded the pipe down too much, possibly the pipe is cocked in the fitting, if the fitting is not on new uncompressed pipe, it may be compressed and therefore undersized.

    I have managed to stop a VERY slow leak on a compression fitting by wrapping the ferrule with 2 or 3 layers of teflon tape and retightning the fitting. This is NOT recommended procedure and I would never do it for a customer or somewhere I would not notice a failure easily. If you do this you are on your own.
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