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Connecting threaded water pipe

CitadelBlue

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Aug 1, 2009
Messages
710
Location
Northern VA
So what do you use?

While replacing the shower head in my Dad's 46 year home, I broke the shower piping at the threads at the connection to the brass fitting inside the wall that is soldered to the copper water supply line from the faucet. The pipe wasn't threaded in very far and I am pretty sure I got all of the broken thread out. When I thread in a new shower pipe it stops between the 7 and 8 o'clock position and I really didn't want to try to put in the extra 3/4+ turn to line it up correctly. I put about 4 layers of teflon tape on the thread but I get a drip at the thread joint when I turn on the water. I'm thinking that the brass connection inside the wall has worn to a point more than the teflon tape will fill. I was hoping NOT to go into the wall through the bedroom to replace the brass fitting etc, but will do so if there isn't another option. Is there some type of paste - dope, liquid teflon, glue, liquid weld etc that I could use and let dry that would fill in any irregularities in the joint connection and result in a leak proof connection? Thanks
Ken
Northern VA
 
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HoosierBuddy

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May 9, 2006
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2,960
Location
Southern Indiana
I believe I'd buy a pipe tap of the proper size and chase the threads back into the wall.

Then get a tube of high quality thread sealant and put it on both the male and female threads. Let it tack up and then screw in the fitting. Hopefully, that will do the trick.

Phil
 
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larry_g

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Apr 28, 2007
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Location
oregon
You might try a different pipe for the shower head. The threads will be different. Teflon tape is not a sealant, it is a lubricant. Pipe threads are ment to be tightened to an interference fit. If you do not tighten, you do not seal. In lew of tape try some Rector seal #2. It will give some sealing posibilities.

lg
no neat sig line
 

Jackfre

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Joined
Dec 26, 2010
Messages
4,435
Location
N CA
You would be looking for a 1/2" npt pipe thread. You run it in and clean up (chase) the threads to new condition. If you look at the shape of the threads you will see that they are tapered threads. The starting thread is small diameter than the threads that are deeperon the pipe. With clean threads and some properly applied teflon tape or pipe dope you should be able to make the joint. With a tapered thread the purpose of the tape/pipe dope is to lubricate the joint so you can tighten the threads enough for the metal to metal to mate and make the joint. Oh, run the tap into the thread a bit and back it off to clean out the tap and then go a further.
 
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