Shower valve connection leak, need help

[barronmi]

I am currently undergoing my first remodel job, a walk-in shower and have just installed a new shower valve, piping, etc. The shower valve consists of threaded male connections. I used teflon tape when connecting the copper adapters, then soldered to the copper piping. All in all, I'm pretty happy with all of my soldering. At first glance, my initial leak test looked good, but upon closer inspection I noticed the smallest of leaks on one of the threaded valve connections. The leak is literally a drop every ten minutes. But of course that is not good enough. Now I don't know what to do. I really hope there is a solution that doesn't involve removing the valve and reinstalling.

Unfortunately I discovered this forum after the installation. Of course if I could have a redo, I would have used pipe dope with the teflon tape.

Any suggestions? Is there anything that I can apply to the connection for an added seal?

Thanks in advance for your help. And what a great forum, just wished I would have discovered before my install.

 

[Kingsotall]

Gonna need to cut the pipe, crank down on the male adapter some more and then sweat a slip coupling in.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

thread

I would have eliminated the tape and just used the pipe joint compound, (or more likely I would have soldered the male adapters to the valve), but that is a personal preference. Take it apart and retighten it.

 

[barronmi]

So there is no easy fix? I thought there would be some kind of plumbers putty or similar product that would work, especially because it is such a minor leak.

 

[hj]

leak

Do you want to "patch" it or fix the leak permanently?

 

[barronmi]

I'm interested in Patching options.

 

[hj]

leak

Put some epoxy putty on it, but remember where it is so someday in the future if it starts leaking again you will know where to cut the wall open

 

[Redwood]

I wouldn't waste time with a "patch"

 

[barronmi]

Thanks for the advice, I've decided to fix it permanently so I'll be disconnecting the valve. I plan to use pipe dope on the threads this time. Should I use this in conjunction with teflon tape? Or just stick with the Pipe Dope?

 

[Jadnashua]

Belt and suspenders...tape then dope.

 

[TedL]

Porr Billy is barely cold, and you guys are already dissin' Mighty Putty. Oh, wait, you've been doing that for years.