Search the forum,

Discuss PTF Tape and Compression Joints in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

Status
Not open for further replies.
Messages
4
Can anyone tell me whether PTF tape used on a compression fitting would degenerate?

Also, where a plumber undoes the nut on one end of a compression joint is it correct that the connection at the other end of the joint will NEVER in any way be disturbed?

The above queries may sound a bit odd but that is exactly what was said by an "expert" who attended my property after a very - and I do mean very - slow leak was discovered after a plumber undid and then a couple pf hours later reconnected a flexi pipe to an elbow connection. The expert said, in his experience, undoing one end of a compression joint will NEVER loosen up the connection at the other end and that PTF tape does degenerate and can do so within three years. Is he correct?


Update ( I am new to this thread and I cannot see an option form me to comment on posts made so far)

Thanks to those who have already responded. I should point out that the plumber says he did use a wrench to hold onto the elbow joint when he undid it and then did it up again. But what I need is independent confirmation that, even when the joint is supposedly tightly held using a wrench, the joint at the other end can still be disturbed. Also I am looking for comments which basically say PTF tape does not degenerate especially when it was used less than 4 years beforehand on the relevant joint.
 
Last edited:
and that PTFE tape does degenerate and can do so within three years. Is he correct?

If that was the case, then there would be millions of leaking joints around the Country.

Also, where a plumber undoes the nut on one end of a compression joint is it correct that the connection at the other end of the joint will NEVER in any way be disturbed?

It would be imposssible to say NEVER.
It would also be good practice to check the tightness of a second joint on the same fitting.
 
Of course compression fittings can but disturbed if you dont hold back on the fitting when undoing them as for ptfe degrading there would be a awfull lot of leaks springing up every day if this was true as long as its used properly it is fine may i ask why you have asked this cheers kop
 
Guess you are here as you didn't like the answers you were given elsewhere then.
 
Oops - just seen this section! See above where I updated my original post.

I have had responses from elsewhere all of whom have, in effect, said that a plumber or an "expert" cannot say that the undoing of a connection at one end of a compression joint will NEVER potentially loosen up the other end and that PTF tape doesn't degenerate. The more independent plumbers who effectively say that the better so far as I am concerned as that is evidence I can present to my insurers when I challenge the claims made by the plumber and expert
 
Last edited:
Also I would appreciate views on the attached pictures. From what can be seen, does it look like the olive shown was incorrectly installed? The slit in the olive was made when it was cut to allow it to be removed.

WP_20170519_09_53_35_Pro.jpg


WP_20170519_09_53_58_Pro.jpg


WP_20170519_09_54_01_Pro.jpg


WP_20170519_09_54_07_Pro.jpg
 
I feel the olive was wrong,y installed you would ad a leak straight away or within days. If the leak appeared after years then I would assume it was correctly installed.
It is quite hard to judge if it was wrong installed based on your pictures. I'd rather use jointing compound than ptfe. But everyone uses different things.
 
It is hard to say but when you look closely there is a bit of errosion of the olive and disscoulouration i would say it is a old fitting expansion and contraction and heat could lead to leakage it would be quite difficult to get it wrong but cross threading of the fitting and not using a jointing compound could also cause a failure cheers kop
 
Sounds like your looking to claim for water damage either through insurance company or against your plumber. Making judgements is extremely difficult without full disclosure. When was the work done, what exactly was done, was the leaking joint exposed or boxed in. If boxed in who did that? You mention a very very small leak how was it discovered and what damage has been caused.

Any modification to a system has a possibility to affect the fabric of the original construction (not just plumbing but anything including buildings, roads, cars).

Unlikely to get categoric answers, but more chance with full disclosure of events
 
That olive is rotted! If you look at the edge you can see a lot of it is missing. Difficult one to call, to be honest, as the plumber probably should have never assumed the other side of the compression fitting was, (1) completely undisturbed (as how would he be sure?)
and (2) was originally correctly done.
and I now am adding (3) - he wouldn't know the fitting had corrosion damage.
Sounds to me the plumber has tried to avoid a claim.
The ptfe eroding comment is laughable.
I do however feel sorry for the plumber if you are trying to claim from him for a leak on somebody else's work. If little damage done, I would accept it possibly isn't 100% his fault and forget it. Lots of old things break if you touch them.
 
Last edited:
I think you are asking two distinct questions:

1. Does the "other" side of a compression joint NEVER loosen when one side of the joint is undone and re-done?

2. Does PTFE tape deteriorate over time?

I don't think you are going to get a definitive answer to either question with any form of scientific backing. My own opinion, as given before, is that compression joints can loosen on the opposite side from that being worked on if the fitting is not secured against movement, but it is rare, particularly with elbows. I have never seen PTFE tape on joints of any age where the tape has degenerated, and certainly not to the point where a leak has occurred. I note you have not responded to the suggestion that a flexible hose was joined directly to a compression joint where the flexible hose terminal fitting was not designed for such connection.

I think you might be well advised to get written confirmation of your "expert's" formal and scientific qualifications, his or her experience as a working plumber, and membership or otherwise of such bodies as the Society of Expert Witnesses, Academy of Experts or Expert Witness Institute.
 
You need to talk to a solicitor and find out where the burden of proof lies in your case, what evidence if needed, etc. I'd be surprised if the scenario you describe needs expert investigation. It's more likely to turn on what was your plumber employed to do, whether he used reasonable skill and care and what he could reasonably be expected to observed during the course of his work.

I doubt the opinions of the 'expert' are worth discussing. Unless you've missed out the part of the story where both sides agreed that this person was appropriately qualified to act as a 'Single Joint Expert' [*] what they think or say is not likely to be relevant. If, however, this person damaged the joint in question so a real expert can't determine cause reliably that may strengthen your case. Or it may not, which is why you need to consult a solicitor.

[* What you really need here is a 'Single Joint Compression-Joint Expert' :) :). Okay, I'll get my coat...]
 
Last edited:
"Never" is a very bold statement and the plumber was unwise to use this term, but sounds like he is on the defensive, if you pursued this to court he will deny liability, they may rule in your favour or his, but you can't be sure and to be honest is it really worth pursuing this purely on a financial basis? ... how much damage was done? ... if you're not happy with this plumbers work then I would advise not using him again and put the whole thing down to experience.
 
Thanks for all of the comments. But here are more issues I overlooked when I posted my previous queries.

Where PTF tape has been would around the thread on a compression joint to act as a lubricant, if that joint is subsequently undone and then done up again, is it usual practise to just do the joint up again without removing the old PTF tape and then, once removed, to use new tape?

When a flexi pipe is being attached to a compression joint I understand there is no olive to form a seal. Instead there is a gasket of some sort possibly a rubber O ring or a washer of some type. So some questions.

Regarding the O ring or washer seal, firstly is it possible to overtighten the nut on the end of the flexi pipe crushing the O ring or washer thereby leading to a leak whether large or small?
Is it common practise to simply reuse the O ring or washer or should the O ring / washer be replaced?
As there is no olive which would form a seal, is it common practise to wind ptf tape around the thread on the compression fitting not just to act as a lubricant but also to act as a backup seal?
 
Last edited:
1. Replace PTFE tape on thread
My view is that it shouldn't have been there in the first place, so I wouldn't replace. Nor would I clean off any that was left on.
2. A flexible hose should not be connected directly to a compression fitting. The sharp edge of the fitting can cut into the rubber seal / gasket in the flexi fitting. You can get special adaptors to go in the compression fitting (olive as usual) with the other end threaded (1/2" or 3/8" BSP) with a flat face to contact the flexi seal.
3. As above, the sharp end of the compression fitting can damage the gasket.
4. Most flexis have these seals captive in the end nut, so they cannot be replaced, although an additional fibre or rubber seal could probably be used OK if it is damaged. If not damaged they should re-seal OK if the flexi is re-used.
5. PTFE tape is only designed to seal tapered threads. It is not designed to seal parallel threads, and won't act as a backup seal. If the original seal doesn't work (flat face to gasket), replace the faulty component.
 
You don't use ptfe tape on the thread of compression joints, the olive is the seal, the thread is to allow the nut to pull the olive in to seal against the fitting and pipe so using ptfe on the thread is pointless and shows a lack of understanding.
 
Sounds like you are looking for ammunition to beat somebody over the back of the head with.

Instead of drip feeding additional info when you don't get the answers you want why not just give us the full story.

You will get better responses that way.
 
Tape shouldn't be on compression fitting threads. Only a novice would do that.
Flexi hoses shouldn't be connected to fittings made for olives.
But what good is it knowing that? Going to court would need proof and expert evidence. Quoting from this forum means nothing
 
I am a tad confused here, as I am regularly using flexi hoses connected o a ball type stop valve when connecting to taps. All the flexi hoses I have, have got a compression fitting at one end, so I cannot see the problem.
 
There is no problem if you are fitting a tap flex with a built in isolation valve as you are make a compression joint to a copper pipe... the issue here is joining a tap flex that is designed to mate with a flat faced 1/2" connection, but actually connecting it to a 15mm ballofix valve with the nut and olive removed leaving a tapered sharp edge not designed for this purpose
 
The flex is that I use do not have a built in ballofix ( is that the correct term) valve built in, they are seperate items. I understand what you are saying, but why not just get a tap flex that has the correct fitting?
As an example...

IMG_5548.PNG
 
In my experience what tends to happen is that there is a 15mm ballofix in place as isolation to the tap with 15mm copper running up to the tap rigid all the way with a tap connector on the end... someone wants to replace the tap, they shut off a ballofix, undo the nut and olive then remove everything from ballofix up to and including the tap...

A new tap is fitted that comes with copper tails, the person fitting then gets a tap connector flex, fits the compression/ pushfit end to the tap tail and the tap connector end to the ballofix ...

Personally I'm not a fan of tap flexes, in the above instance i prefer to hard pipe up to the tap tails, but that's just me
 
In my experience what tends to happen is that there is a 15mm ballofix in place as isolation to the tap with 15mm copper running up to the tap rigid all the way with a tap connector on the end... someone wants to replace the tap, they shut off a ballofix, undo the nut and olive then remove everything from ballofix up to and including the tap...

A new tap is fitted that comes with copper tails, the person fitting then gets a tap connector flex, fits the compression/ pushfit end to the tap tail and the tap connector end to the ballofix .

Personally I'm not a fan of tap flexes, in the above instance i prefer to hard pipe up to the tap tails, but that's just me

Agree with you on separate taps but not mono blocks
 
I am a tad confused here, as I am regularly using flexi hoses connected o a ball type stop valve when connecting to taps. All the flexi hoses I have, have got a compression fitting at one end, so I cannot see the problem.

No problem at all if you use a compression ended flexi.
It is the flat washered ended flexis that are the problem because the majority of work I see, they have been tightened to a isolating valve. The sharp edge of an iso or any other compression fitting risks an eventual leak.
I prefer to fit full flow iso valves where handy and pipe up from them in copper to correct distance for to meet the tap flexis, connecting to them using male straights, or sometimes male bends if pipes a few inches to the side, for example. That gives a flat face against the flexi washer. But some on here have the exellent idea of using spare radiator valve tails tightened onto iso valve for the flexi.
 
image.jpeg


Here is one I had to replace the work because the hidden pipework had been leaking and eventually came through the ceiling. It was the flexi rubber joint leaking because of onto the iso. Idiot plumber did the bathroom. A year later the unsupported shower waste pipe fell out of the trap below the floor and kitchen flooded. :)
 
View attachment 30407

Here is one I had to replace the work because the hidden pipework had been leaking and eventually came through the ceiling. It was the flexi rubber joint leaking because of onto the iso. Idiot plumber did the bathroom. A year later the unsupported shower waste pipe fell out of the trap below the floor and kitchen flooded. :)
Does that not beg the question, which I have tried to put (badly) is "why didn't the op's plumber use the correct flexi? In which case the op,s problem may never have arisen!
Using the incorrect flexi, in my opinion, is the cause of the problem and can be laid firmly and squarely as the plumbers fault. Irrespective of ptfe tape, etc.
 
Last edited:
Does that not beg the question, which I have tried to put (badly) is "why didn't the op's plumber use the correct flexi? In which case the op,s problem may never has arisen!
Using the incorrect flexi, in my opinion, is the cause of the problem and can be laid firmly and squarely as the plumbers fault. Irrespective of ptfe tape, etc.

Yep, it is the plumbers fault if the flexi end wasn't compatible with the fitting it connected to.
But we don't know exactly what the flexi was used for, - if the plumber supplied it, or if it was part of a new tap mixer.
If it was supplied with a tap and was the type with flat washer connection, then plumber should have used correct fittings, so no blame could be put on him later if any leak occurred.
Personally I hate flexis and only use them if supplied as part of taps. I rarely see the point of them and they are a weak link
 
If I'm supplying the monobloc then I always look for one with copper tails, not a fan of flexi
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Reply to PTF Tape and Compression Joints in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

Creating content since 2001. Untold Media.

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Back
Top
AdBlock Detected

We get it, advertisements are annoying!

Sure, ad-blocking software does a great job at blocking ads, but it also blocks useful features of our website. For the best site experience please disable your AdBlocker.

I've Disabled AdBlock