how reliable are compression joints?

[Jennie]

Hi all,
I'm curious about the reliability of compression fittings.
I recently re-fitted a compression iso valve to my father's outdoor tap. It had been leak free for 25+ years. But this year, when he opened the valve water gushed out under the sink (the brass olive inside had lost its bite, and the copper pipe could be pulled back/forth in the joint.
I re-made the joint. But it got me thinking.
How reliable could the other fittings in his house be? This was a brass olive (I've seen other posts debating copper v brass olives).
I'm a student plumber, and was formerly under the impression that once a compression fitting had been tested, it was pretty much good for ever. How would you advise a homeowner on this?
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Jennie

 

[dancinplumba]

the water in the tap has frozen and pushed the fitting off.

 

[Jennie]

Oh yeah, of course. That leads to another question - how to drain the tap and pipework during winter. He had turned the iso valve off. I suppose he ran the tap on the outside, (but don't know for sure). However, he doesn't have a drain valve fitted, so there would still be water in the pipework. No double check valve either. It's an oldish tap, so I suppose it doesn't have an internal check valve either.
Any tips?
Thanks, Jennie

 

[Reg Man]

Turn off the isolation vavle and leave the outside tap turned on.

 

[Jennie]

Thanks. I'll tell him that. It seems so obvious now.

 

[JCplumb]

It's been mentioned on here before, but for future reference:
If you're fitting an o/s tap, do it in such a way to allow ALL the water to drain out when you close the ISO and open the tap. i.e. pipework goes downhill from internal ISO. Makes winter draining fool proof.

 

[Dannypipe]

In fairness I agree with Reg Man, isolate it and then leave the tap open and it will be OK. But what you say is true, there should be a way to drain the tap/pipe work too.

I've got customers who are way too lazy to bother doing that though!

 

[Dannypipe]

I'm considering putting in a tee and a lever valve as a drain off for a customer who I'm going to see on Saturday as I just know they won't use the drain cock if I fit one.

 

[Keefy]

I'm currentlly putting together an 'Outside Tap Maintenance' advice sheet for future customers. I'll print a load off and make sure each customer gets a copy along with their receit.

 

[Dannypipe]

I'm currentlly putting together an 'Outside Tap Maintenance' advice sheet for future customers. I'll print a load off and make sure each customer gets a copy along with their receit.

You sir, are the type of plumber I want when I'm old and gray and have to pay someone else to do my plumbing work!!

 

[Keefy]

You sir, are the type of plumber I want when I'm old and gray and have to pay someone else to do my plumbing work!!

I'll most likely post a copy in the Plumbers Arms when it's done. The 'Extra Mile' and all that good stuff, you know?