Is there a trick to sealing threaded PVC??

[cruzmisl]

HI All,
I replumbed my filter and pump today. All is well but I have a few very slow leaks at some of the threaded joints (a thimble full every few hours) I tried everything to fix these things up to and including using 10 wraps of teflon tape to no avail. Is there a liquid pipe compound I could use that may give better results? I've taken it apart four times now and still no luck. It's not a big leak but frustrating.
Thanks,
Joe

[CarlD]

Ok, 3 things may be going on:
1) your theads on the fittings may be damaged. Then they leak.

2) You are using the tape wrong. It should be pulled very tightly around the threads and go in so the tape it pulled tighter, not bunching up.

3) You aren't tightening the fittings enough. Did you may sure to use only Schedule 40 fittings? Some have longer thread areas allowing you to have more sealing.

I hope this helps.

There is a liquid teflon called plumber's joint compound. It used to be called Plumber's Dope, and the tape was Tape Dope. No foolin'!

[cruzmisl]

Thanks Carl,

I tightened them down quite a bit and used the tape properly. I'm going to give the Permatex #2 a try tomorrow, let it cure for 4 hours and see what happens. Pentair says it's OK to use.......

[tenax]

i've used permatex 2 as well and it works pretty slick. one thing to watch from my experience this year is if you put it on 0 rings for example (i.e. behind it) it creates this thick gunk that doesn't seal well in combination with the o-rings.

[cleancloths]

There is a product that is called plumbers goop that you can put on to stop the leak.

[cruzmisl]

I think I'll try this.

http://www.oatey.com/apps/catalog/instance_assets/assets/Submittal_Sheet/Great%20White%20PJC.pdf

seems safe. Hopefully it works well.

Joe

[joenj]

I think I'll try this.

http://www.oatey.com/apps/catalog/instance_assets/assets/Submittal_Sheet/Great%20White%20PJC.pdf

seems safe. Hopefully it works well.

Joe

That is what I use, no problems!
Joe

[cruzmisl]

:cool:

I was looking at the install last night and while I'm not a plumber, it looks WAY better than what the PB did. I also used all hard PVC, no flex tube.

Once I get all the minor leaks sorted, I'm going to hook up my liquidator.

[catnip]

I used Great White pipe dope recently and it worked well. I did have to tighten one joint a half turn to stop a very slow seep.

[sevver]

I think I'll try this.

http://www.oatey.com/apps/catalog/instance_assets/assets/Submittal_Sheet/Great%20White%20PJC.pdf

seems safe. Hopefully it works well.

Joe
We used that stuff all the time when I was plumbing, stir it up really well first to get all of the goo on top mixed in. Either that or dump it out, I always stirred it though. Good luck on it, leaks are tough sometimes, especially the drips.

[Wayne LaBanca]

I think my .02 is too late as you seem to be going another route but for future reference; Make sure you wrap the Teflon tape counter clockwise on the threads (Or in the case of a left handed thread, clockwise). If you go the other way, as you screw the pieces together, the tape is pushed back and does nothing. I have used pipe dope but only for low pressure systems like gas lines, I'm not sure it works in high pressure systems but that's from lack of use.

Wayne

[cruzmisl]

Thanks Wayne, I did have the tape wrapped in the proper direction but it still leaked.....

I tried the dope but it's been raining here so I can't test it. Seems to be OK though

[CarlD]

Well, everytime I have a leak in a plumbing connection it's attributable to "User Error".:( Guess who the user is....:rolleyes:

[Water_man]

I think I'll try this.

http://www.oatey.com/apps/catalog/instance_assets/assets/Submittal_Sheet/Great%20White%20PJC.pdf

seems safe. Hopefully it works well.

Joe


Hope by now you sealed the leak. Please repost what you used and where you got it. The link doesn't open.
Thanks,
Mike

[gverntz3]

I use telphon tape and then smear telphon paste ontop of the tape. Then I assemble the joint.

[Sumo1]

In our renovation of our church pool we replaced almost all plumbing except what is inside the gunite. We've still got a few drips to fix. A friend with 40 years pool experience told me to crush a piece of PVC with a hammer into very small pieces and let the pieces soak in an ounce or two of pipe cleaner. Make sure the cleaner is primarily methyl ethyl keotone (all PVC goops seem to have this in them). The MEK will dissolve the pieces into what is basically liquid PVC. Then take something like a popiscle stick and apply the stuff to your leaky area. I haven't had time to use this method yet but he hasn't steered me wrong yet. I'll report back after the repair.
Hal

[CarlD]

Now THAT is a cool idea! But if you use it around a threaded fitting, it will be permanent...

[Water_man]

I use telphon tape and then smear telphon paste ontop of the tape. Then I assemble the joint.

Yeah, but suppose you can't or don't want to reopen the joint?

[Sumo1]

Now THAT is a cool idea! But if you use it around a threaded fitting, it will be permanent...

Yes, it will be permanent but I don't see that as a problem. PVC rarely just breaks so I think long-term fixes are good and, in our case, replacement of a multi-port valve would be required$$.
Hal

[cleancloths]

It is best to never use teflon tape on any threaded connection over about 1". For connections over 1" use the teflon pipe dope, it does a much better job.