Hot Water Cylinder Leaking

[Paulo663]

After some advice please. Just installed a new indirect vented copper cylinder and I've got a small weep from the cold water in Male iron 22mm x 1. I use plumbers tape wrapping the threads approximately 10 times.
I've just ordered a 1inch fibre washer, will the washer help and should I apply a larger number of plumbers tape.
Thanks I advance Paul

 

[Ermintrude]

Locktight 55 and jet blue you knuckle draggers!

 

[Best]

A male straight should have been capable of tightening fully into the cylinder joint & therefore tightening against the flanges - so it should not have leaked!
You obviously must have used too little tape. Don't just think of the number of turns of tape required as what also is important is if the fitting feels nice & tight when going in at least the last two turns. If it is not having much resistance then it hasn't a well packed thread seal & might leak.
i tend to taper the tape, that is, I put 2 or 3 extra narrow turns of tape at the shoulder side of the fitting to guarantee it tightens up. Ptfe tape is superb & superior to hemp, which is from the past & frankly shouldn't be used on many things.
Always use paste, - Jet Lube is good & it gives a fine seal & lubricates the joint aiding more tape into it sometimes also.

And I should add, - I still very occasionally tighten a male fitting up & realise it is far too slack & remove it & redo the tape & tighten up again. My concern is I obviously don't want to overdo the tape which would mean it will push back off the fitting as I tighten it & risk splitting the threads on the cylinder or whatever. I never have any weeps.
Threads vary, believe it or not - male & female & some things require different amounts of tape.

 

[lame plumber]

never used a fibre washer on cylinder connections, you barking up the wrong tree there, do post some photos, they could be worthy of comment.

 

[Paulo663]

Thanks for all the advice chaps. Redrained tank yesterday and used Fernox LSX on the male irons. Tape seemed a bit of a gamble for a DIY chap as not enough will give a leak and to much could split the tank threads as advised.
Tank only needed replacing as whoever installed must've flush the system.
Replaced the electrical socket fronts last year finding the radiator mounting bracket bolt from the next room sticking through the plastic pattern box and hard up against the old socket front back.
These new builds are just thrown together - 8 years and needed a new tank !.

 

[Paulo663]

Cheers again for all the advice.

 

[Paulo663]

Cheers again chaps

 

[lame plumber]

watch this space, silicone sealant on a hot water joint bound to leak in the end

 

[Paulo663]

lame plumber, still not leaking !.

 

[oz-plumber]

lame plumber, still not leaking !.

Give it time sunshine

Experience V DIY'er.

Hot water can do amazing things to pipe joints - expanding and contracting continuously.

If you haven't used tape then you may be up for a joint that will be a problem in the future.
Good luck with it anyway.

Hope you don't or won't require insurance cover for this in the future.

 

[Paulo663]

Got me worried again, I've a free day next week so I will redo with tape as thats the general a pinion on how best to do the job!. The cylinder will be able to drain it's self shortly.

 

[oz-plumber]

Mate,

You have come on here, wanting free advice, and people have tried to steer you in the right direction.

You have tried to fix the problem to the best of your ability and you have taken a DIY'ers approach and a DIY'ers remedy.

It's something you are obviously concerned about and you are having second thoughts about your ability to fix the problem.

If a Plumber did the connection and it leaked, you would call him / her back.
If a Plumber did the connection and it leaked and caused damage they would be covered by their insurance.

If you did the connection and it leaks and causes damage, your insurance would leave you high and dry ( or in the saturated state that you would be in)

The cost of repairs would probably have to be on you.

Why don't you get someone who can fix the problem - for your piece of mind at least.

Oz Plumber

 

[Paulo663]

Oz I'm not your mate or your sunshine either.
As I've said in my last post, I'm going to redo correctly as advised with tape and paste.
Came to this forum for advice, some people have gave it and some have just taken the :nonod:!.
Would have got a plumber but a number of them have dropped me in it, so decided to do the job myself.
I'm no plumber, but can turn my hands to most things. Just given the wrong advice in the first place by a ex plumber.
But knowing how much tape needs to be applied is down to experience, which by the time I've fixed it, I should have a little more DIY plumbing experience - maybe this forum should be for plumbers only - but then who would you have to take the :nonod: out of !.
I've a trade, and would gladly help with advice anyone who required it so they could sort out the problem and save themselves a few quid - us working people have to stick together.

 

[Ermintrude]

You tell the dirty ozzy! He's descended from criminals any way. Use ptfe and a snot of paste . Jet blue or hawk white

 

[PlumbBobBob]

Paolo663 lose the attitude it was clearly banter and not aimed at you personally.

 

[SimonG]

I thought oz-plumbers response was a good one. To the op I know a plumber who ended up buying another new cylinder because he couldn't get the cold feed connection to stop leaking, why, because he doesn't use paste.

15 wraps and a smear of paste.

We have a good sense of humour on here, sometimes there is a sense of humour failure. If it's not your cup of tea, fair enough.