Didn't know about pipe dope, now what?

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rafigso

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I have 2 shower valves and one of them has a one drop at a time leak from the threads. I used Teflon and no dope. I would have used the dope if I had known about it. Short of cutting out the valve and reconnecting everything, is there a sealant I can put around the outside of the threads to seal this drop by drop leak?

Thanks in advance,
Rafael
 

Terry

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No. There is nothing that will seal from the outside.
You will have to cut and redo the joint. It may be that it just wasn't tight enough.
Options are:

Tape
Dope
Tape and dope

I would normally just use dope. I don't really like getting too much heat near a joint with tape.
 

Cacher_Chick

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No, removing it and redoing the leaking fitting is the correct method of repair. I prefer solder/sweating valves in place for this reason.
 

Gary Swart

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I think the best way to do this is to sweat the male adapter to the copper pipe before screwing the adapter into the shower valve. Additional soldering can be done to complete the installation without getting the valve too hot.
 

Tom Sawyer

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I have never used tape in my life for anything except wrapping presents
 

Terry

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Pipe dope is illegal in Texas.

But not in Washington or Colorado!

Doesn't help me any though. I like micro beers. I don't put anything in my body that won't wash out in 24 hours.
THC has a half life of 28 days.
 

DonL

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But not in Washington or Colorado!

Doesn't help me any though. I like micro beers. I don't put anything in my body that won't wash out in 24 hours.
THC has a half life of 28 days.


There is nothing better than a Beer after a hard days work.

Well, maybe a cigarette after you lay a bunch of pipe, that may come close.
 
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