Fix Your Compression Fitting Mistakes

Common mistakes using compression fittings in household plumbing.

Top plumbing tools, amazon affiliate links:

#plumber
#plumbing
#plumbingproblems

[stephengunner]

As a plumber for 46 years I have never yet used PTFE on a compression joint. Manufacturers of compression fittings usually state that nothing needs to be used on their fittings but I was taught to use jointing compound on them just in case there are any defects in the pipe. It has served me well. It is also virtually impossible to cross thread one of these fittings but I do agree with you in respect of over tightening.

[jimgeelan]

Your giving some very good and in-depth advice on the things a lot of diyers get wrong, keep them coming

[teacheme]

All my life I've been using PTFE tape incorrectly. No wonder I always get leaks. Just completed a complicated renewal of an outside tap. So far no leaks and I don't fancy taking everything apart to remove/replace the tape I've "lathered" on. However if a leak should appear then your hints will come in handy. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[walshdenr]

The PTFE paste on the olive did the trick for me. Thanks for the video!

[nsbukcp]

I appreciate the Teflon-on-the-olive tip, sir. Thank you.

[joopsmit]

Spot-on advice. Fixed a few leaking olive joints that could not be cut off this way. Some redundancy on new compression fittings with ptfe tape in my opinion also does not hurt.

[rogerhoughton]

Always remember reading a comment by a plumber that he could spot amateur work by the PTFE tape on compression threads.

[GeorgeBaldwin]

Good idea, you think that would work with heating fuel, like house oil, passing the filter 1/4 line. I'm thinking the pro before me over tightened the seal. Over time could the drip stop? Unravel next time I get to see my dad. We'll investigate with more information. Working with the Teflon Tap for 10+ years welder repair shop, I could apply the same principal to house heating oil connections. Never thought about the Bud (Olive) to seal.

[joeneighbor]

My grandfather told me a trick to always do with any threaded thing, be it a bolt and nut, pipe fitting, etc. Always do a couple turns in the opposite direction. This way the threads will wind properly and won't get stuck in a bad bind. After all, the threads might not be perfect. could be some micrometer differences, etc.

[hfarms]

Good tip. My compression joint has a small leak and I was about to tighten more. I will put tape or joint compound around the ring ("olive").

[sharon.shinwell]

Tape on the olive makes so much sense, can't believe I've been doing it wrong all these years!

[peterrobertbowers]

Yes… that is true, push fit fittings are bulky, when it comes to fitting a new kitchen sink, bath ect, perhaps; And it could give that unprofessional look. But the good news is… they never ever leak.
i suppose it all depends on the plumbing job undertaken.
At the end of the day… Professional plumbers will always use compression fittings, regardless.
Thanks for replying.

[alanjones]

Good videos. Clearly and calmly presented, thanks.
Just one point about PTFE tape on the thread of a compression joint. It does help with 22mm joints as it allows the nuts to be tightened more easily without the threads ‘sticking’. Just done a load of them like that and no leaks, after many leaks without the tape. Will try taping the olive if I get really stuck though.

[killpop]

Very interesting. I need to replace a boiler fill loop because one valve has broken in the closed position. This means I need to deal with pipe and olive and everything I've seen never mentions leaving the old olive in place...the part that showed leaving the over tightened olive in place and supplementing with ptfe tape makes me think I could do this myself.

[larrykay]

I just added some teflon tape around the olive to try to fix a super small amount of wetness that was showing up in my replacement shutoff valve I just changed under my bathroom sink. No amount of extra tightening worked (as you pointed out) but the tape seems to have worked. No more moisture after turning the water back on! Thank you for this video!!

[samheasmanwhite]

The best technique I know of is liquid sealant between the pipe and the olive, ptfe tape on top, and a smear of liquid sealant on top of that.
I have literally never done this on a new joint though, only repairs. For new installations liquid sealant between the pipe and the olive is a must for me, and just a slight smear on the olive but that tends to just happen anyway. Tape probably doesn't help unless there are scratches in the metal or the pipe is being wiggled, but if you expect wiggling you should be enduring there is no wiggling or using a different piping method.
Nice basic video, short and to the point. Could probably mention that ptfe tape on a thread helps with tightening, but that you should not need that much tightening on a compression fitting.

[getyerspn]

All good advice the PTFE on the olive is something my grandad taught me...if you really get stuck use some ' rector seal true blue ' it what us industrial maintenance guys use ....just don't get on you're clothes or you'll have an angry missus.

[OhBeEye]

Thanks for the video! Maybe I can turn my indoor swimming pool, back, into the kitchen it was earlier this week!

[bobbybrown]

Thanks for the Advice, i overtightened a compression fitting and will try that later 🤞 thanks for the video👍

[peterrobertbowers]

When it comes to compression fittings, there is a knack when tightening the compression nut for securing the olive ring that slides onto the copper pipe. If it it’s not tightened in the proper manner.. the joints will leak; as my sister found out.. when she had a new bathroom fitted, by so-called professional plumbers. The joints started to leak underneath the wash basin. My dad had to pay a visit and sort it out. With push fit that never happens. Push fit fittings are very convenient. I’ve had no problems so far. The tap water that runs through the copper pipe, will not affect the rubber ring inside the push fit device. It probably would if there were chemicals added to it perhaps. Although there is chlorine added to tap water; i don’t know if that would have any effect. That’s the reason why plumbers advise householders, never to put any cleaning agents in the cistern, where there are rubber washers.
Thursday pm 8th February 2024. Southampton England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿