FIX LEAKING COMPRESSION PIPE FITTING - pipe leak?
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- Опубликовано: 26 апр 2024
- How to FIX or seal a leaking compression pipe fitting on copper pipe. In this video I'm going to show you 3 EASY way to fix leaking compression plumbing pipe fittings with step by step instructions!
Amazon links:
Olive puller amzn.to/3lsortk
Junior hacksaw amzn.to/40PVGXS
Adjustable spanner amzn.to/3K0gN3t
PTFE tape amzn.to/3IimGb8
15mm olives amzn.to/3YAY1UM
The Amazon links above are affiliate links. It doesn't cost you anything to click on them but I do earn a small commission if you do. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
00:00 Intro
00:46 What is in a compression fitting
01:25 Step 1 - Can you tighten the compression fitting
01:56 Step 2 - PTFE tape or Jointing compound on the compression fitting?
03:48 Bonus TIP
04:03 Step 3 - Remove and replace the olive of the compression fitting?
06:39 Did it work for you?????
#plumbing #leaks #tutorials 
Хобби
Another brilliant video, mate! You're now my go-to DIY channel. Keep up the good work 👏 🙌
Hi Simon, thanks so much for your comment 👍 😀 😊
Jack Bauer with an English accent. Everyone knows if you do what Jack says, all will be right with the world. I rate this vid 24/24.
Thanks for your comment 👍
As an apprentice plumber back in 1977, I was taught and always reminded, when tightening compression fittings, hold against the direction your either tightening or untightening the compression nut, in case the copper bends an kinks.
On many compression fittings such as the one you were using, there are flats on the “arse end”(an expression I was taught) of the elbow that can be used for another spanner, to apply an opposing force.
Also whether right or wrong, later on in my career other plumbers told me they put a wipe of non setting pipe jointing compound such as Laco SlicTite or Center brands own, under and around the olive, also a small amount on the male thread to lubricate when tightening.
I’ve opened joints with compound on them many years after they’d been installed, and found they opened pretty easily, and didn’t bind and squeak like some unlubricated fittings.
100%. I was watching this from the outset cringing. You have to support the fitting with a second set of grips as described or something will give and it won’t be pretty.
Brilliant thank you. I'm a 76 year old female and it's some time since I did much plumbing. This refreshed my memory and has helped me with refitting my lavatory water supply.
Hi, that's brilliant to hear! Im glad the video helped you. Please consider subscribing for more great videos 👍
The plumbing in my fifty year old house is mainly made up of compression fittings. I've never had a single leak since I have lived here. I have worked for many years as a plumber and used all of the techniques you talk about. Compression fittings are fine.
Hi, yes i agree 👍. Compression fittings are good and reliable so long as they are installed correctly.
Yes. All the stop valves inside my bathrooms, kitchen have compression stop valves. My house was built in 2003 and I didn't have a problems until a few months ago. I needed to use the stop valve so I could shut the water off so I could replace a faucet cartridge. The valve would barely wiggle. So I decided to replace the stop valves at the one sink with 1/4 turn stop valves. The old stop valves had plastic inner parts. The new ones are all metal. The installation was easy as I bought a ferrule/olive puller to make it easier to pull off. About a month later I was replacing a kitchen faucet and also replaced the stop valves. I don't have any issues with compression stop valves. They make a quick and easy installation and have been reliable for me.
Thanks for your comment 👍
love the heavy duty fixing on the vise.
Lol, just a temporary measure! I need to fix it properly but need it demountable as well.
@@FixitwithFowler not a criticism, i thought it was cute.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Excellent video, I repaired my shower pipe with PTFE tape. Thank you SO much 👍
Glad it helped, thanks for your comment!
I love all your videos - so much practical, sensible and realistic help.
Glad you like them! Thanks for your comment 😀
ptfe round the olive fixed my problem, cheers!
I'm glad the video helped. Thanks for your comment 👍
If you have to use PTFE tape on an olive it doesn't matter which way you wrap it as it is a stationary joint, if you use it on a threaded joint you wrap it clockwise.
Thanks for your comment!
Thank you helped me alot here in South Africa 🙏🙏🙏🙏👍
Thanks for your comment. It's amazing that my video has reached you in South Africa!
Thank you! I’m going to give this a go tomorrow, one my pipes are fully thawed out
Hi, its easy to do!
Great video thanks for sharing 👍
Hi Fowler. Great video. I was in the same situation last weekend in our old summer cottage. Fitting were leaking and I tryed to get the old olive off with no succes so I cut the pibe behind the olive. But then I could not get the new olive on the pibe. The pibe had expanded over the years. So new pibe as well.
Hi, im glad you found the fix a leaking compression joint video useful. Thanks for your comment 👍
Excellent video!
Thanks, glad you liked it!
Good demo with WhiteTape and CopperRing for CompressionCopperPipe fittings .
Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you liked the video!
excellent very informative 👍
I'm glad it was helpful, and thanks for your comment. Don't forget to have a look at my other videos!
It was not possible to get a junior hacksaw in position to cut the old olive, so I used a Dremel style mini drill with disc saw blade. Obs very carefully and slowly to avoid damage to the pipe. It worked fine. I have now subscribed 😊
Hi, im glad you found the video useful, and thanks for subscribing!
Thank you sir!
You are welcome!
Brilliant !
Thanks for your comment Roy!
First I've heard ferrules (what we call them) described as olives. Chalk it up for another win in the learning department.
Cheers for your comment. It seems a lot of trade related items go by different names. When i was researching my Wall Bolt video, i found out they had about 4 different names depending on manufacturer and people's location!
When using an olive without ptfe tape I always put some grease onto the olive and the nut threads. This makes the tightening process smooth. If it squeaks its tearing the brass or copper and won't tighten properly. Old olives had lead to lubricate - modern ones don't .
Thanks for your tip!
If care is taken when using compression fittings they will never leak, trouble is most plumbers are do not take time to make sure all parts of the compression joint are clean prior to assembling the fitting that includes not making sure the copper pipe is free from scratches at the point where the olive fits, a lot of plumbers use ptfe tape instead of cleaning because it is quicker, they also use some sealing paste slapped around the olive area, this causes other problems over time, as some of this sealing paste gets carried through the pipes and can clog up radiator valves and taps that have ceramic discs, but they are not bothered about this because it is another job for them to make more money fixing it at a later date.
Thank you
Hi Mitch, Thanks for your comment. Hope the video has helped you out!
Good vid ... you have a new sub.
Thanks for your comment and thanks for subscribing!
To protect your pipe when using a hacksaw, wrap each side of the olive with masking tape
Thanks for that good tip!
Good job
Thanks for your comment!
I’ve never really had much problem with compression fittings , they quite easy and handy
Hi, i agree with you so long as the compression fittings are installed correctly and not disturbed
To prevent leaking from the nut, just cut a small piece off after the Olive ring at the end of the copper pipe and tighten than the nut. Keep end distance short after Olive ring
Thanks for your comment!
I always found copper olives where better as they are softer
Hi, i try and use a brass olive with a brass fitting and a copper olive with a copper fitting, but im not sure if it makes a difference!
Set the adjustable spanner so that it loosly grips the pipe. Put the spanner head on the pipe behind the olive and then tap gently with a hammer to drive the olive off. This avoids damaging the pipe with the hacksaw and is quicker.
Thanks for the comment, i will give that a try next time!
Thanks mate. I would of never thought to use a wrench to tighten a nut!
Lol 😆
From what I have found from repairing leaks, is that they were never done correctly in the first place. You often remove a leaking pipe to find the olive wasn't compressed enough to get a watertight seal that would last. PTFE tape is always good used correctly. If slabbering joint seal on is your solution then you'd be better getting a real plumber to fix it.
I agree the best method is to redo the joint!
Always have a tub of Vaseline. When fitting the union smear slightly around the pipe where the Ferrell seats and then put around the out side of the Ferrell. By using Vaseline you will at least get another half turn or one turn more .BRASS and copper seize before you have the correct torque on the thread.
Thats a good tip, thanks for that
Thanks man brilliants !
Thanks for your comment. Did you fix your leaking compression fitting?
@@FixitwithFowler Yes bro I fixed leak by using method 2 with white tape. You know standard of Birmingham City Council ;) Thanks a lots
@janekmachnicki2593 brilliant, thanks again 👏
Tightening a compression joint without supporting the other side and using a 90 degree copper pipe as lever as it is in that first clip is not good practice. It puts a strain on the other compression joint, which can cause more leaks and you can even put a kink in the the copper tube.
The other side of the fitment should be supported so that you do not strain other joints. It doesn't matter if it's a brass fitting, like a 90 degree bend shown there, a valve or anything just supported by the copper pipe then support the fitment on both sides. Something like a set of large locking pliers works well as they can often been clamped in such a way that they bear against a surface, provide the appropriate degree of support and frees up a hand.
Also, for stubborn joint that won't seal, probably because the pipe has been slightly deformed, then a tiny smear of LSX works wonders. Some will use it pre-emptively, although I still feel that a proper compression joint, made properly, will not leak.
Hi, i did show an alternative to ptfe tape in the corner of the video using a jointing compound. Thanks for your comment
Plumbing is not my favourite sport but invariably I end up with at least one leaky joint - I've always thought jointing compound was a bit of a fudge but have had to resort to it on a totally nightmare joint on a replacement shower mixer valve once I may do so on a filling loop I've just replaced too as the pipe is a bit deformed from a previous person's attempt!
Hi, i understand what you mean about jointing compounds, but a lot of plumbers use it as standard practice as it helps lubricate the joints and olive and guarantees a water tight joint.
Thank you for great videos. How many millimeters must be left between edge of the olive and of the pipe? I'm starting my diy job soon.
Im not sure. You just need to make sure that the pipe is fully inserted into the fitting. Good luck with your diy job!
Thanks big help as a DIY person .where i live in cape town south africa they steal the copper pipes as my water heater is out side but high up can i use poly pipe the orange brown coloured material to replace where the copper has been stolen thanks Trev in sunny cape town south africa
That's amazing. You're in Cape Town, and my video was helpful. Thanks for your comment!
I have only ever used flared pipe compression fittings. If the pipe is very old sometimes I have troubles getting it to seal initially but it usually takes up and I have never had one START to leak if it has been sealed initially. I wonder when they started using olives. It seems to introduce several new potential points of leakage.
Im not sure when olives were introduced, but as long as i can remember inside compression fittings. They normally start to leak if they have been disturbed (knocked, banged). This video is to help homeowners fix a leaking joint using simple techniques!
I’m in the USA (Chicago are) and we don’t use these type of connectors in residential homes. I have double compression regular valves to toilets and sinks. This tract home was built for us 20 years ago, and I felt it was time to replace them (the old were regular valves are difficult to turn). I had 16 valves and replaced them all. I used 1/4 turn double compression ball valves, they don’t freeze up like the old ones. I find buying in bulk (I bought 2 pkgs. of 10) makes it much cheaper and a few spares come in handy. Where these are I’ve yet to have one leak. Your situation with the compression fitting might be that it’s not properly supported and if someone hits it, it will leak. I’m assuming you’re in the UK.
Hi Jim, greetings from the Uk! The video is more of a demonstration of what can cause a leak but, more importantly, how to fix them. In the UK, we have moved on to push fittings like the Sharkbite ones, but these compression fitting are still in many hones.
PTFE should only be used as a last resort and a temporary fix until you have the chance to repair the joint correctly using a new olive and jointing compound or other correct means. You did show the compound in the corner of the video so fair play. Just to highlight that PTFE is not good practice for using on compression joints and certainly not a permanent fix.
Thanks for your comment 👍
Have to redo the video and show people that they HAV to use 2 wrenches. The one u didn't show was the backer wrench to keep from ruining the other joint and or pipe when tightening. Also when installing in the first place, putting a vacuum grease on the ferrel to begin with does the job!
Thanks for your comment, i got away with using one wrench as it's an angle joint. However, if it was a coupler, i would indeed need two wrenches!
Thanks for this valued information
I usually round the copper pipe with PTF tape and then insert into the compression elbow or joint.
To remove the olive or feral, I use a flat spanner against the compression and a few tappings with a hammer, it's out
But usually the olive scars/indents the copper pipe which will then have to be sawed off ; if one has to remove
I love your video. Thanks
Hi. Thanks for your comment, and im glad you liked the video!
If you do scratch the pipe whilst cutting off the olive will it suffice to wrap ptfe tape over the scratch and slide the olive over the top?
You could try that but i would recommend fitting the olive then using plumbers mate over the top and compressing the fitting as normal. If that doesn't work you would need to replace that section of pipe.
Hi you need to support the joint on the flats when working on it as you know?
Hi, thanks for your comment 👍.
You didn't show that when the olive was removed, the copper tube was scarred and dented by the compression of the olive. When you showed a new olive being installed you switched the copper tube for a new unscarred one. A new olive fitted to the original tube is not a reliable seal. Always use two spanners when tightening a compression joint, and count the turns. A compression joint seals by dimension, not by torque. You are a plumber and know a lot of quick fixes and that's fine, and many of them will last even though they are not quite "right". Thank you for sharing your tips.
It was the same bit of pipe and wasn't swapped out as it was in my vice. The fitting is just for demonstration purposes only, but you're right the olive can deform the pipe.
LSX is a very good product for leaks
Yes, i have used it before byt only as a last resort. You're better fixing the issue instead of masking over it.
You can also use jointing compound
Yeah, that's shown in the top left of the video as an alternative to ptfe tape. Personally, i prefer the jointing compound as it lubricates everything as well!
so easy when there is no water in the pipe and when its a radiator pipe much more difficult but good video
Yes, i agree, it is only a demonstration. However, if you drain the water, it's exactly the same procedure
What about telling the people to support the joint whilst tightening the nut to the joint ?
Yeah, I probably should have mentioned that, but because it was in my vice, i just got carried away 🤣
Hi there, thanks for this video, very useful! I've heard a lot of debate on brass vs copper olives... What's your take on this?
If possible, i would match the olive to the fitting, i.e., brass fitting= brass olive or copper fitting = copper fitting. Hope that helps you!
If you release the tape the other way it's easier. Most people put PTFE on threads so when you tighten it it destroys the tape😮
Hi, i realised after that, i should have held the roll of tape the other way round to keep it tight as it came off the roll!
My solution.
Wrap a hand towel round it and change it daily.
Lol, its a solution 🤣
i have a slow drip from a compression joint linking thin copper pipe to a towel radiator.the problem is when i grip the fitting in vice grips it flexes the thin pipe and i'm afraid it will break it if i put more pressure
That sounds like a micro bore pipe, usually 8mm or 10mm in diameter. If your scared of breaking the pipe or making it worse you could drain the water out if the heating system then put a new fitting on or as a temporary measure use something like this until you can get a plumber round amzn.to/3uWElRO
thanks for the advice,will give it a go@@FixitwithFowler
No problem, good luck!
If u turn your ptfe tape the other way ,it won't unwind as u roll it onto anything,so the inside of the tape going face down onto the olive
Thanks for your comment, i realised after i filmed it!
@@FixitwithFowler I've watched young lads at work that think they know it all ,By the time they have half a dozen wraps on its 18 inches long ,It's good fun putting them right,♥️👍
Im gonna attempt this. What do you mean the other way round. It has to go on clockwise doesn’t it?
4th method is to flux and solder the whole jobby up!
Yeah definitely but a bit too advanced for most diyers.
👍😎
Hi, thanks for your comment!
Your knuckle as a guide so you don't nick the end of the thumb if you slip much less painful
Brilliant 👏
Problem was no ptfe tape used as a proper plumber would do day one
Dump compression and move to push fit.
Definitely!
Did that and had two joints leak on me . The copper ones.
@@yesihavereadit if i use push fit i always use hep2o fittings. I have another video that covers how to join plastic and copper pipes
I've had one push fit fail in a loft before. No good in hard water areas as the seals will perish over time. Best to solder.
Hi, its definitely better to solder if possible however dod you know hep2o give a 50 year guarantee on there pipe/fittings if used together? Today's copper is so thin im sure it will perish before the 50 years.
I always use jointing compound., Jet Blue, V2 or similar when fitting compressions. Never get a leak.
Hi, i did show jointing compound as an alternative to ptfe tape. I made the ptfe tape an option really due to cost for people. Thanks for your comment!
❤🇺🇸💪
Thanks 😊
There is call a plumber
Lol
I didn’t hear you say turn the water off first before removing the fitting. Not hating the video but maybe you should have mentioned this.
Good point, however as the pipe is in a vice I thought it was obvious there wasn't any water in the pipe
Haha yeah but yours is a reconstruction for dummies that don’t know any better. Iam just saying I could imagine someone having a leak , watch your video and have more of a leak.
@@FixitwithFowler❤
?Ha, yes you will always get those people 😂😂
never put compression fittings on dry without paste they may weap
Just use jointing compound from the start and youll never have a leaking compression fitting again
I agree, i did show that on the part with the ptfe tape. Thanks for your comment 👍
Which compound you recommend
I use a flomaster jointing compound from screwfix, but any jointing compound for as and water will be fine
Never use PTFE tape on an olive. It only causes problems for the next time that fitting needs to be redone. If the Olive needs to be replaced then the tube will also need to be replaced (or shortened). Just because some "tricks" sometimes work, does not mean they should be used.
Thanks for your comment. Ptfe is an easy fix for the average DIYer. However, you are not correct about removing an olive as this is common practice.
@@FixitwithFowler Just because something is common practice does not mean it is a good practice. When an Olive is fitted to a tube the Tube and Olive both get deformed to a degree. Replacing the Olive without a fresh portion of Tube has an increased risk of failure. I agree that it can be successfull, but it should not be a recommended method. A lot of these type of "Quick Fixes" do often work They also often add additional effort when a "Propper" repair needs to be done. One issue I have with these "Quick Fix" options being shown like this is they are protrayed as good methods. The downside of this patch up is never mentioned.
Are you even a plumber?
@@ben7932 No, But I am a tradsman that has worked with fluid conductors for a long time. Pipes and Tubes are not exclusive to the Plumbing industry. I grew up on building sites and around Plumbers. My work background involves a lot of maintenance of a variety of things. These quick fixes often work but will usually create more effort/expence when proper repairs are to be done. Thank you for asking about my experiance on the subject.
Everyone has their own opinion, and thats what makes youtube discussons great. Don't forget that this is purely for plumbing (water) on copper pipe with the correct designed compression joints/fittings. It has no reference to anything else and is aimed to help people out of a situation and save money.
The way you feed the teflon tape is backwards, mate. By truring it the Other wat you have the ability to add tension to the pipe with the tape. Also many people use adjustable wrenches like you showed in this video. Wrong! Always turn the wrench with the tightening rotation. You had it backwards. Great video though.
Thanks for the tips
I’m gonna try this. What do you mean? Isn’t it correct as it’s clockwise. Or do you mean having the underside on the tape facing up?
@leilanissmallholding Hi, it's the right way as in clockwise, but if you hold the tape the other way round, you can keep tension on the ptfe tape.
Boss Wight is better
I normally use plumbers mate, thanks for your comment 👍
Never use ptfe tape on a compression joint! Get a jointing paste like Hawk white or the potable alternative. Then tighten it up just enough. Don't overtighten tho, or you will crush the olive, and it won't seal.
Hi, thanks for your comment. That's why i included jointing compound as an alternative in the ptfe tape video (smaller video playing in the corner). Its good to show a few options to let people choose what suits them.
You've got your tape the wrong way
Hi, the tape is wound the right way on the thread, but the roll of tape was backwards, which is why i was struggling to keep the ptfe tape tight.
The joint should be supported to prevent causing the same problem on the other olive 😏😏
Yeah, a lot of people have mentioned that, but it was only for demonstration, and i didn't think about mentioning it 🤔