[danielpigott]

I changed the angle valve at the wall that supplies water to my toilet, and now I can't make it stop leaking. I put pipe joint compound in the threads, so there's no water coming through there. It is totally tight at the threads, but the leak is behind the nut closest to the wall. The whole thing turns loosely as well. How do I tighten it all up and stop the leak?

[massplumber2008]

Hey Daniel:

Something wrong there... huh..

You installed the compression SLEEVE right..

These go on hand tight, then tighten a full turn or so using pliers/crescent wrench (holding valve body against yourself as you tighten compression nut)... until you feel it bite into pipe real good... should not rotate freely.. especially by hand if tightened right.

If tightened correctly, I figure maybe you did not push the shutoff onto the pipe deep enough.

Shut the water, remove the shutoff. If done right the compression sleeve should not come off easily and you should see copper sticking beyond the compression sleeve a good 1/4 " or so.

Check it out let me know... Mark

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[danielpigott]

I am just using the nut that was already on there because I couldn't get it off. There's something holding it on - maybe an old compression sleeve. If I put the new compression sleeve on that came with it, I can't screw the angle stop on because it holds it too far away. Is it that the old compression sleeve isn't doing the job right and I need to take it off? If so, how do I take it off - just pull like crazy? I don't want to mess up the pipe behind the wall.

[massplumber2008]

You would definitely have to remove the old compression sleeve before installing the new sleeve.

Usually, you can use old compression nut and sleeve (wondering if nut got cracked a bit from overtightening..? )

They make a compression sleeve removal tool.. sold at home supply stores/plumbing supply stores everywhere (see pics... few types). I would get that tool... remove the old sleeve, and then install the new chrome nut and brass sleeve and should be all set.

Let me know what you think... Mark

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[danielpigott]

I got a compression sleeve puller, but when I tighten it down, the hooks on the end start to bend rather than pulling the sleeve off. I sprayed WD-40 in there to try to loosen it, but nothing. Could the sleeve be soldered on there? If so, how would I get that off?

[massplumber2008]

The sleeve is not soldered on... the puller you got is not the strongest type... works as handle puller and compression sleeve puller. You may need to get a compression sleeve puller solely dedicated to compression sleeve removal (plumber's supply house).

I guess at this point, try the puller again, but with a friend's help if possible.

While you are turning the t handle on puller have a friend squeeze the "hooks" on the end together using a pair of pliers.. see if that helps to keep from hooks bending.

If that doesn't work... need to get that stronger compression sleeve puller or need to try couple other things.

If the shutoff will pull forward out of wall an inch or so, may be able to cut old sleeve/nut off at copper pipe (let me know if pipe pulls forward easily).

Or, may need to actually cut the compression nut and sleeve off... that is kind of tricky, though.

Let me know what you decide! Mark

[speedball1]

I think your problem's the Teflon Tape you put on the compression nut threads. First off, the threads hold no water. It's the ferrule,( what you call the steve) that holds the pressure. What you have done is to wrap the threads with tape so that it couldn't tighten up as tight as it should. What you should have done is to leave the old nut and ferrule and install the new angle stop using the old nut. Where are you at now? If you haven't removed the ferrule then try agaib with out the tape. DO NOT put pipe dope on the ferrule. While it will stop a leak it has built up pressure and cracked the angle stop valve body in the past causing water damage to the living unit. Ya screwed the pooch when you taped the threads. Good luck, Tom