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Author: Subject: NON CAR RELATED: Stopping a copper pipe leak
bi22le

posted on 24/8/16 at 04:31 PM Reply With Quote
NON CAR RELATED: Stopping a copper pipe leak

I have fitted a new radiator and tried 3 times to seal it fully. I have trimmed and cleaned the pipes so that the olives on the valves fit and seal, that did not work. I have also PTFE taped the thing to death (yes I have wrapped it the correct way) and that has not helped.

I dont want to drain and redo it all again, I dont have the time with a new baby ready to drop.

Dare I say it, I want a quick and simple fix. It is such a small leak that I am sure there is a product that I can just wipe round and will seal it.

A quick google didnt bring anything up.

Suggestions?





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jacko

posted on 24/8/16 at 04:52 PM Reply With Quote
liquid ptfe and don't over tighten the nut
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sdh2903

posted on 24/8/16 at 04:53 PM Reply With Quote
Bit gash but wrap the olives In ptfe tape and nip it all up. Has worked for me in the past for a seemingly incurable leak.
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Slimy38

posted on 24/8/16 at 05:13 PM Reply With Quote
I'm going to let you into a plumbers secret.... leave it alone.

Any small drip will eventually crust up with limescale and other sediment, and then stay like that for ever more. You will go insane if you try and fix every drip, it's really not worth it. If you're worried, put a small pot or similar to catch the drips, then let it seal itself.

(By the way, I'm not the plumber, it was a plumber who told me about it)

[Edited on 24/8/16 by Slimy38]

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gremlin1234

posted on 24/8/16 at 05:28 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
It is such a small leak that I am sure there is a product that I can just wipe round and will seal it.

A quick google didnt bring anything up.

Suggestions?

as mentioned in another thread very recently
self amalgamating tape works wonders

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twybrow

posted on 24/8/16 at 05:34 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
I'm going to let you into a plumbers secret.... leave it alone.

Any small drip will eventually crust up with limescale and other sediment, and then stay like that for ever more. You will go insane if you try and fix every drip, it's really not worth it. If you're worried, put a small pot or similar to catch the drips, then let it seal itself.

(By the way, I'm not the plumber, it was a plumber who told me about it)

[Edited on 24/8/16 by Slimy38]


+1

If you live in a hard water area, it wont take long at all.

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gremlin1234

posted on 24/8/16 at 05:38 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
I'm going to let you into a plumbers secret.... leave it alone.

Any small drip will eventually crust up with limescale and other sediment, and then stay like that for ever more. You will go insane if you try and fix every drip, it's really not worth it. If you're worried, put a small pot or similar to catch the drips, then let it seal itself.

(By the way, I'm not the plumber, it was a plumber who told me about it)

[Edited on 24/8/16 by Slimy38]

a friend had this problem, and used a disposable nappy to keep the floor dry 'till we could fix it

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benchmark51

posted on 24/8/16 at 05:55 PM Reply With Quote
How about a little smear of Evo-stik 'plumbers mait' (not misspelt) around the olive?
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adam1985

posted on 24/8/16 at 06:20 PM Reply With Quote
Unfortunatly the only way is to drain it off and remake. check theres no damage to the pipe/fitting, some ptfe tape on and just pinch up should be enough
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matty h

posted on 24/8/16 at 07:12 PM Reply With Quote
Fernox lsx sealer.
Matty

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macc man

posted on 24/8/16 at 07:20 PM Reply With Quote
The leak may be from the thread of the valve and not the olive. Try refitting valve with fresh ptfe and a smear of jointing paste.
This is the most common problem usually on ladder towel rails.

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chittyshittybangbang

posted on 24/8/16 at 07:28 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Slimy38
I'm going to let you into a plumbers secret.... leave it alone.

Any small drip will eventually crust up with limescale and other sediment, and then stay like that for ever more. You will go insane if you try and fix every drip, it's really not worth it. If you're worried, put a small pot or similar to catch the drips, then let it seal itself.

(By the way, I'm not the plumber, it was a plumber who told me about it)

[Edited on 24/8/16 by Slimy38]


This is what I did after I replaced our immersion tank, it had a small leak around the heater element but soon sealed itself up.

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gremlin1234

posted on 24/8/16 at 07:36 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by matty h
Fernox lsx sealer.
Matty
furnox also do a sealer that you add to the water in the system
http://www.fernox.com/files/Fernox/Content/PDF/English/Updated%20PDFs/F4%20SC%20Leak%20Sealer%20290ml%20V.001.pdf

I think its PVA based, (white glue) which circulates in water but drys in air.

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r1_pete

posted on 24/8/16 at 07:55 PM Reply With Quote
Make sure its not coming from the gland seal on the valve, take the knob off, you'll see a nut, give that an eighth to quarter turn clockwise to tighten the seal.
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bi22le

posted on 24/8/16 at 07:59 PM Reply With Quote
Thanks for the ideas I am hoping for it to seal its self. That would be nice.

I fear I may of overtightened the nuts as in anger I went to town on them last night!

I dont want to dismantle and redo it as I have done that twice already. I would like a smear on sealent really.

I covered the olives in vaseline as well as the pipe. Its leaking from there still and the actual radiator outlets.

Ill leave it for now. The weeks are flying by so ill blink and it will have sealed itself!!





Track days ARE the best thing since sliced bread, until I get a supercharger that is!

Please read my ring story:
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/forum/13/viewthread.php?tid=139152&page=1

Me doing a sub 56sec lap around Brands Indy. I need a geo set up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHksfvIGB3I

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Rosco86

posted on 24/8/16 at 08:24 PM Reply With Quote
Prob a bit over the top but it's a cool advert

http://youtu.be/haPvuhznuyI





My Build Thread

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adam1985

posted on 24/8/16 at 08:28 PM Reply With Quote
Loctite 55 is good stuff for the leak on the towel outlet. Dont use a leak sealer that you pour into the system if its a newish boiler,as some manufacturers dont approve it.
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Shooter63

posted on 24/8/16 at 08:59 PM Reply With Quote
quote:
Originally posted by matty h
Fernox lsx sealer.
Matty


+1 for this stuff, I sealed a sump with it, it seems to seal anything.

Shooter

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Dusty

posted on 24/8/16 at 10:13 PM Reply With Quote
In the olden days there was a product called Boss White which always worked brilliantly. Then came ptfe tape which also works brilliantly except when it doesn't.
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big-vee-twin

posted on 24/8/16 at 10:24 PM Reply With Quote
I've used Hermetite in the past to seal small drips.





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motorcycle_mayhem

posted on 25/8/16 at 06:53 AM Reply With Quote
The hard/corrosive water around here will seal small leaks after a while, I've had quite a few weeps, they have all sealed themselves. Disassembly usually involves a hacksaw (e.g replacing a corroded ball valve), whether it's 'leak sealed' or sealed 'properly' so there are no negatives. As long as the fitting is secure on the pipe, I'd leave alone for a while.
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