Male Adapter to Pump Flange Leaks!

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SAS

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I was very proud of myself after installing my new hot water recirculation pump. Everything was working exactly as it should - until I checked it several hours later and discovered that there was a small leak where the threaded male adapter was screwed into the pump flange. One side was fine, but the other was leaking. I couldn't attempt to tighten the connection without cutting the CPVC pipe or moving the flange to the wrong position, so I cut the pipe and have to start over on that side. Unfortunately, I'll also have to replace the valve on that side now, since there wasn't enough pipe between the valve and the adapter once I cut out the adapter.

I can reassemble it again, but my question is: what did I do wrong? Did I overtighten it? Not tighten enough? Not use enough pipe dope? Is either the flange or the adapter defective (hopefully not the flange)? I thought I did both sides the same, but the other one is just fine.

Any help before I try this again would be appreciated.
 

SAS

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I had to cut the PVC to get the adapter out of the flange. I didn't have anything that would hold the flange firmly enough to allow me to turn it off of the adapter. So when I thread the new adapter into the flange, how do I make sure it's tight enough? With the flange bolted to the pump there is too much play to tighten the adapter very much. Should I put the flange in a vice and tighten as much as possible? Is there any danger of overtightening? If I'm holding the flange with one wrench and tightening the adapter with another, is that good enough?
 

JohnjH2o1

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What type CPVC adapter are you using? It should have brass threads. If it's all plastic that is your problem.
 

SAS

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It had stainless steel threads, and the flange is brass. I plan on trying a Sharbite adapter this time; it has brass threads and I'll be able to rotate the pipe after installation in case the connection with the flange leaks and I need to further tighten it.
 

SAS

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Thanks, folks. I think I've got it fixed. It's been several hours and no leaks. The secret seems to have been more pipe dope, although I also used tape under the dope this time.
 
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