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irtemed · Oct 17, 2009, 12:53 PM

In the process or replacing a leaky water intake ballcock assembly, I've got a new leak, below the toilet, just above the shut off valve. The water supply pipe is a chrome pipe with a brass ferrule and compression nut. I've tightened the nut pretty much as tight as it will go, and I still have a slow drip coming out of that nut when I have the water supply turned on.

Is it okay to be reusing this supply tube and ferrule? Would it fix it if I put some plumbers putty between the ferrule and nut before tightening it? Would it help to to try loosening and then re-tightening it? I've tightened it to the point that the pipe it connects to is straining a bit as I try to tighten it more.

TIA,
Demetri - irtemed

KISS · Oct 17, 2009, 01:15 PM

Take it apart and look for hairline cracks in the tube and the fitting on the angle stop. You may have tightened it too tight.

It's important that the tube is parallel to the fitting. You only have to tighten 1-1/2 turns past finger tight.

With a special tool, you con pull the ferrule off and put another on, but you may have to replace the tube and fitting.

Hopefully not the angle stop.

speedball1 · Oct 17, 2009, 01:27 PM

To add to KISS excellent advice. NEVER Tape compression threads or put putty or pipe dope on a ferrule . The threads don't hold pressure and I have seen the nuts on a angle stop split and crackin time because of pipe compound. Good luck, Tom

hkstroud · Oct 17, 2009, 01:40 PM

Get a new braided flexible supply tube. They use "O" rings and are a breeze to install. Just not worth the hassle.

irtemed · Oct 21, 2009, 06:15 AM

Thanks to all three of you for your responses. I truly appreciate it getting the advice about how tight it should be, and when not to use pipe compound or tape.

I have bought a new flexible supply tube and will install it this weekend to hopefully stop the remaining small leak.

speedball1 · Oct 21, 2009, 06:27 AM

Please give us a update and let us know the outcome. Good luck, Tom

irtemed · Oct 26, 2009, 07:57 AM

Thanks everyone,

As suggested, I bought a new braided supply tube (for about $4.00 at home depot) and this appears to have done the trick. I did not have to tighten it nearly as much as I tried to tighten the chrome tube.

Thanks @hkstroud and everyone for your advice.
Demetri

Ps @speedball1 -- your signature says to "click on the scales above" but I don't see any scales.