Dumb plumbing question

[dlminehart]

I've been having the darnest time trying to get some galvanized pipe to connect without leaks. Just simple stuff, nipple into T or elbow or whatever. I've tried pipe dope, teflon tape, dope under tape, you name it. If I keep on trying, after 4 or 5 attempts it may just work . . . and, if I've been careful to keep the assembly immobilized during the efforts, my earlier work might not start leaking. Or it might leak.

On reflection, it may be that the sections most prone to leaking are ones that may not be absolutely perfectly aligned. In other words, the union between the two sections clamps together easily enough and seals OK, and the nipple connections to the union are OK, but other joints one or two removed from the union seem prone to leakage.

This doesn't seem like rocket science, but there must be more to it than meets the eye, or than is written in impossibly small print on the dope tube. Any tips from the experienced?

[Seedy]

DAVID- It has been quite a while since I did much plumbing, but i swore by a pipe dope called Rectorseal with teflon. Never had leaks. Don't over-tighten-maybe half or 3/4 turn after it gets snug. If you pull on a pipe when you are tightening a fitting, make sure it doesn't loosen a joint behind you. Use 2 pipe wrenches- one on the fitting and one on rhe pipe.
-Craig

[jussi]

If all else fails use a dilectric connection and go with copper.

[crokett]

Have you tried changing out one or both of the fittings? Or are you getting leaks in multiple places? I've found pipe dope to be more reliable than tape and if I have a problem fitting changing it out usually works.

[Uncle Cracker]

Second the motion on Rectorseal teflon. Also, make sure to clean out the threads on both the fitting and the pipe before joining, using a brass bristle brush and then a cloth rag with acetone. Do this even if the components are new, as they are often coated with a preservative that does not make for a good joint.

[Hellrazor]

Make sure you are using a quality pipe dope and use enough of it.

[JR]

Rectorseal!

[dlminehart]

So where does one get Rectorseal? Sounds like an antidiarrhea medication!

[JR]

I found it at HD in the plumbing section.

JR

[Black wallnut]

I agree with Rectorseal. I've done plenty of plumbing for NH3, water and hydraulic systems using many different brands and types of pipe dope. The main purpose of pipe dope is to provide lubrication to the joint for proper tightening. The nature of pipe threads is to seal. The therory aside Recorseal slightly hardens over time sealing small leaks. There has already been plenty of good advice in this topic. Do not over tighten. Clean both pipe and fitting. Use firm pressure and two pipe wrenches.

[Salty]

I used to do a lot of plumbing and had most problems with dis-similar materials.
However, I would ocasionally get a bad fitting. If they are galv, there could be a sand hole or very small crack that is nearly impossible to see but will leak every time.
As Black Walnut says, the design is such that the tapered threads seal against themselves. The tape/dope is there to lubricate and fill in where the threads may not line up exactly.

[dlminehart]

Followup

Well, I got some of the Rectorseal pipe dope. It does seem to work better. I also got some pink "heavy duty" teflon tape from Lowes, which also seems to work better than the flimsier white stuff.

I used a brass brush to clean the threads . . . but found the brush was splayed like a 3 year old toothbrush after only a couple joints. Maybe I need thicker brass bristles? Or just nylon ones would do?

I also used mineral spirits to clean the pipe threads before doping/taping. Don't know how effective that was, as I was soaking a terrycloth washcloth in it to do the cleaning, and it probably didn't get down to the bottom of the threads. Suggestions?

Anyway, I'm getting a successful joint about every 30 minutes now, instead of about every 90 minutes . . .

[dlminehart]

Spoke too soon. When I left the joints set overnight, all had very minor leaks again. This is really ridiculous! I've been working on this for an hour a day for about 4 days now . . . and am no closer to being done.