Ask The Trades - Compression Fittings

Bayden_Rank

GDPR opt-out

Compression Fittings - Daft Question
Jun 9^th, 2006, 5:33pm

Having been reading these forums for some while now I thought I had cracked this problem. I used to overtighten but reading advice I now nip up then a 1/4 turn or thereabouts. But what if that still does not work? I have a 15mm joint and a 22mm joint that do not want to seal. The 22mm joint, when presurrised, sent a fine jet of water right into my face. I have nervously tightened them a wee bit more but am worried that I could 'neck' the pipe.

Sorry to ask such a daft question.

Was life easier when copper pipe was real heavy stuff?

Back to top

IP Logged

thescruff Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Who said plumbing was easy. Posts: 6037 Total Thanks: 147 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Plumber	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #1 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 5:48pm Put a little joining compound on the olive and do the thing up. Tight, experience will say when
Back to top	IP Logged

Bayden_Rank GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 147 For This Post: 0	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #2 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 5:51pm [quote author=thescruff link=1149870788/0#1 date=1149871691]Put a little joining compound on the olive and do the thing up. Tight, experience will say when [/quote] Thanks BOSS
Back to top	IP Logged

thescruff Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Who said plumbing was easy. Posts: 6037 Total Thanks: 147 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Plumber	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #3 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 6:07pm Soft copper as in 8mm and 10mm rolls is the only tube you can over tighten. All other sizes, too tight is better then too loose. Applying jointing compound will aid the seal, whilst if you put it on the thread it will act as a lubricant.
Back to top	IP Logged

TIMBA-WOLF Board Moderator Offline Timba-Wolf..... Var@*sh, should be banned!! Posts: 7158 Total Thanks: 15 For This Post: 0 KENT,(under a tree!!!!) United Kingdom Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #4 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 7:00pm Quote: Applying jointing compound will aid the seal, whilst if you put it on the thread it will act as a lubricant thats exactly what he said Scruff!! Quote: BOSS
Back to top	AS HONEST AND LOYAL AS THE TIMBER-WOLF. --VAR@*SH, DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!! PAL!!&&I DON'T SUFFER FROM INSANITY- I DAMNED WELL ENJOY IT!!!!! IP Logged

The_Trician

Trade Member

Offline

Posts: 7721

Total Thanks: 8
For This Post: 0

Gender: male

Trade: Electrician

Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question
Reply #5 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 8:51pm

I've found that many compression fittings come ready-supplied with brass olives rather than copper. In my experience, copper seems to seal better because it is softer?

Some LSX smeared on the olive and threads should do the trick.

I thought BOSS WHITE was only used on steel BSP fittings?

But then again, I'm a sparks so I'll shut up now!

Coat's alreadsy on...........

TT

Back to top

Thats the trouble with a colostomy - you can never find the shoes to match the bag.......

IP Logged

thescruff Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Who said plumbing was easy. Posts: 6037 Total Thanks: 147 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Plumber	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #6 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 9:02pm Boss is a brand name. They do dozens of products. Boss green, jet blue, Fernox etc is ok for potable
Back to top	IP Logged

billythekid

Trade Member

Offline

I love YaBB 1G - SP1!

Posts: 3402

Total Thanks: 0
For This Post: 0

Trade: Plumber

Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question
Reply #7 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 9:08pm

i find brass rings are better than copper, since they bite better. I have also seen small bore pipe nicked by overtightening, not just the soft microbore.

There is a feel you get the more fittings you tighten as to when enough is enough. Like scruff says tighten that baby up with a little lsx or ptfe, it'll hold nae bother, also it'll not be 'tight' as quick because of the lubricating effect.

My hunch is that you just need to give it another jag up though and it'll be fine.

22 is always a c*** for some reason!

btk

Back to top

IP Logged

plummit

Trade Member

Offline

Posts: 19

Total Thanks: 0
For This Post: 0

Gender: male

Trade: Plumber

Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question
Reply #8 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 9:37pm

As Scruff and Billy the kid said.
You know when enough is enough on compression fittings, I personally prefer ptfe tape on small bore fittings, A personnal choice, Bigger fittings I use a combination of jet blue and ptfe.
Maybe people will object to this, but I do, and will carry on using ptfe, on olives on compression fittings. I have seen them drip without. I wont change !

Back to top

It wasnt me that forgot to solder that joint.

IP Logged

billythekid Trade Member Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 3402 Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0 Trade: Plumber	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #9 - Jun 9^th, 2006, 11:09pm * billythekid shakes his head what a waste! lol btk
Back to top	IP Logged

Bayden_Rank GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #10 - Jun 10^th, 2006, 3:03pm Thanks for the advice guys. Loooks like I erred too far on the side of caution as when I took the connections apart he 'O' rings slid quite easily along the pipe and the 22mm pipe had almost no witness mark of where the 'O' ring had been. Once more into the breech etc.
Back to top	IP Logged

yoggo GDPR opt-out Total Thanks: 0 For This Post: 0	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #11 - Aug 24^th, 2006, 11:05pm I tried deliberate overtightening on some offcuts of pipe and thus got a 'feel' as to what was too tight by visual check on undoing the coupling - you can judge reasonably well from what the olive and pipe looks like, if the pipe is squeezed in its far too tight. Sacrificed a few olives but worth it. Yoggo
Back to top	IP Logged

thescruff Global Moderator Trade Member Author Offline Who said plumbing was easy. Posts: 6037 Total Thanks: 147 For This Post: 0 Gender: Trade: Plumber	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #12 - Aug 24^th, 2006, 11:39pm I bin murdering olives for the last 40 plus years, and never had a problem with one yet. As for making them up dry, its just not worth the risk when you have jointing compounds fit for the purpose, and guarantees the joint.
Back to top	IP Logged

TIMBA-WOLF Board Moderator Offline Timba-Wolf..... Var@*sh, should be banned!! Posts: 7158 Total Thanks: 15 For This Post: 0 KENT,(under a tree!!!!) United Kingdom Gender: Trade: Joiner	Re: Compression Fittings - Daft Question Reply #13 - Aug 25^th, 2006, 4:21pm Quote: I bin murdering olives OH!!!! , what a nasty BRUTE!!!! LOL
Back to top	AS HONEST AND LOYAL AS THE TIMBER-WOLF. --VAR@*SH, DON'T YOU SWEAR AT ME!! PAL!!&&I DON'T SUFFER FROM INSANITY- I DAMNED WELL ENJOY IT!!!!! IP Logged