Leak at new washing machine supply

[OneStaple]

I'm installing a washing machine supply as part of a renovation. The connection is pipe threads, and I've used three wraps of Teflon tape.

With water pressure applied, there's a small leak at the threads (at the level of dabbing it away with a paper towel every 30 seconds). Usually in a situation like this, I'd tighten it a little more until it goes away. Well, I've added about 3/4 turn a little at a time, and it seems like it's just getting worse. And it's getting really hard to turn, to the point that I'm worried about damaging the threads.

Is it possible that I have a bad fitting? Or that I'd overtightened it to begin with? Do I need to replace the copper fitting and/or the valve?

I could also remove the threaded copper piece and sweat copper pipe into the brass, but doing that so close to the plastic box always makes me a little nervous. I'm competent at sweating, but not a pro.

The troublesome connection is the one on the right in the picture.

Thanks,
Tyler

 

[Breplum]

If you wrapped the teflon in the correct direction (with threads) then maybe it is Murphy's 80th sub-corillary as it relates to threaded joints.
No way to know why.
sorry

 

[Sponsor]

 

[OneStaple]

Yeah, I'm pretty careful about wrapping in the right direction. It's a bit hard to verify now though.

I'm leaning toward just removing the copper threads and sweating a new piece on, as much as I don't like doing that near the plastic. But I'm not sure I trust that a new threaded piece will do better, especially if the threads on the brass have been stretched. Although I imagine the copper would do that first.

Tyler

 

[oldVermonter]

Personally, I would start by redoing the connection with an extra turn of teflon tape. Easy to do, and you can still move on to Plan B as needed.

 

[Reach4]

Personally, I would start by redoing the connection with an extra turn of teflon tape. Easy to do, and you can still move on to Plan B as needed.

If redoing, in addition to that extra turn of tape, I would also add pipe compound. Most, who suggest both, suggest tape then compound. I start with a bit of tape on the threads to help hold the tape too.

 

[OneStaple]

So, along the lines of your suggestions, I tried again with an extra wrap of tape (I don't seem to have pipe compound on hand...I thought I did, but it might have gotten lost in a recent move). It worked! I'm glad I have that another shot before attempting to sweat the joint.

Thanks for the suggestions!
Tyler