Repairing Cracks in Female Threaded Fittings

[expose]

My Hayward Vari-Flo Valve had a crack in the outlet fitting which was causing a continuous water drip. I didn't want to try to tighten the outlet pipe that screws into it for fear that it would just make the crack bigger. To fix it, I unscrewed the outlet pipe, put a stainless steel hose clamp around the outside of the fitting, tightened it as much as I thought I could without ruining the clamp, put more Teflon tape on the threads of the outlet pipe, and then reassembled it. It works great. (See the picture.)

This should work for any kind of female threaded fitting. If you can't unscrew the pipe going into it, you could try the hose clamp without unscrewing the pipe first, but I think it probably won't work in most cases. However, it will probably slow the leak, and certainly prevent further cracking.

[duraleigh]

Nice Work!

[matt4x4]

If you can, this sometimes also helps - screw the male fitting in as much as you can, this should open the gap (crack) some, spread PVC glue all over the broken area, unscrew the male fitting and then put on the clamp, the glue should have gone in the crack some and should be helping with sealing it - especially if the crack went beyond the threaded area.

[chrisexv6]

If you can, this sometimes also helps - screw the male fitting in as much as you can, this should open the gap (crack) some, spread PVC glue all over the broken area, unscrew the male fitting and then put on the clamp, the glue should have gone in the crack some and should be helping with sealing it - especially if the crack went beyond the threaded area.

This definitely works well. I was able to open the crack up enough to use some AquaMend putty-type glue even while my multiport was wet. It held up for a complete season, and probably would have held up this season too but I got a good deal on a replacement valve.

-Chris

[expose]

. . . screw the male fitting in as much as you can . . .

I think it's a good idea IF you don't end up making the crack worse.

. . . spread PVC glue all over the broken area . . .

This is a great idea if it's PVC. I've experimented with these plumbing glues over the years, and found that as fantastic as they are for their intended use, that's how bad they are for gluing plastics that they aren't intended for. If you know the type of plastic, use a glue intended for it. If you don't know the type of plastic, some JB Weld, or some epoxy intended for plastic might be better choices (Wal-mart sells both.)

I'm not familiar with the "AquaMend putty-type glue" mentioned by Chris, but it sounds like it's good stuff especially if you aren't able to completely dry the area.

In any case, screw in the male fitting before the glue cures so that the female threads don't get clogged with glue. Also use a little extra Teflon tape so that the male fitting doesn't get permanently glued in place!

[duraleigh]

I think most pump bodies are ABS plastic...not PVC.....so are skimmers...not sure about multiport valves but my money is on ABS.

The hose clamp is a solid, simple idea.

[chrisexv6]

I think most pump bodies are ABS plastic...not PVC.....so are skimmers...not sure about multiport valves but my money is on ABS.

The hose clamp is a solid, simple idea.

I wish I had thought of the hose clamp idea after I cracked my multiport, would have saved a lot of running around.

The "AquaMend" putty I ended up using is actually available at Home Depot. Comes in a clear plastic tube, and is two colors (outside layer of putty is white, inside is Aqua...go figure ). Cut a chunk off, knead it together until its all one color, place onto crack and squeeze into the crack and let it set. Becomes rock hard after a while, and does not leak one bit. I myself couldnt believe it, but was very happy when it fixed my issue. And it definitely works on ABS where other things dont (I even got epoxy made for plastics, including ABS, and it didnt hold).

-Chris

[South_Texas_Sun]

I've used my soldering iron with a screw-in "paddle" attachment to fix ABS. It works really well.

Be sure you try using this setup on a SCRAP piece of ABS before you try the real thing though. The temptation is to go too light and the "weld" doesn't have enough material to hold.

This might save someone from trying to get the crack open enough to pump glue in, then the dreaded......."CRICK"........oops....too far.....

I would also take the hose clamp advice, after sealing the leak.

[sevver]

They do make abs glue, you should be able to get it at a plumbing supply or pipe and valve supply. Just look for a yard full of big pipe, and fire hydrants and stuff. You can buy it there for sure, if not at HomeDepot.

[cantileveredge]

I just did the same thing this past weekend. Epoxy is definitely the route to go. It's fluid and seeps into all of the gap and doesn't care what type of material you are bonding. As an extra step though, I removed the pipe and placed two sticks 3/4"x3/4" about 5 " long inside the edge of the cracked female fitting. If you place a bolt between the sticks and use a clamp on the opposite ends of the sticks you can gently spread the fitting apart and force epoxy in the opening. (Again... careful... don't want to overspread) Loosen the clamp remove the sitcks and finish with a hose clamp. When the glue starts to set pick the excess out of the threads with a small knife. Teflon tape and reassemble. Eliminates the risk of permanently gluing the pipe in place.