looking for some pluming advice. i just plumed in a new shower mixing valve. i checked for leaks and didn’t see any. The pluming is against a concrete exterior wall, so i proceeded to insulate around the copper with Styrofoam insulation and spray foam. After all of that was done I noticed the smallest leak coming from the threads( a pin head sized drip every 20 min) on the hot water in connection. Now that everything is soldered and held in place with spray foam i cant tighten the thread. i was hoping that there was some trade secret to fix the leak without tearing everything out? The only thing I could think of is to Remove the insulation in the immediate area, heat up the solder joint to on the threaded coupling and try to get a quarter turn on the threads while the saulder is hot. Or could I simply solder the threads them self? Any help would be greatly appreciated, it’s my only shower.
Thanks Ted
Replies
Look for a paint-on plumbing sealant at HD, pick it up in your hands, and decide how desperate your to stop this leak.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Get a close-quarters pipe cutter and cut through the HW feed (with the water off, obviously). Spring the pipe out of the way enough to allow you to unscrew the threaded connection. Clean both halves of the threaded connection, apply teflon tape (EXACTLY two turns) and pipe dope, and reinstall.
Get a repair coupling for the copper pipe. This is a coupling with no center ridge. If necessary you can make one with a regular coupling and a small round file. Dig away insulation, etc back at least 1.5" from the cut area and 3-4 inches to either side, place a layer of galv flashing and a layer of fake asbestos sheet behind the joint as a fire shield. (Tack in place with Piffin screws if necessary) Get a fire extinguisher, hose, or bucket of water to have ready for fire suppression. (Some of the foam can burn rather rapidly.)
Clean and flux everything. Slide the coupling on the long end of the pipe, flex stuff back together, and slide the coupling into place. Sweat-solder. Double-check for any hot embers before you go any further -- don't walk away from the area until you're SURE nothing's burning.
Now get a nipple and cap to thread into the shower head elbow and put them in place, but leave the cap off initially. Individually run the hot and cold water long enough to have water coming out of the nipple, then install the cap, turn on the water, turn on the valve, wait 15-30 minutes, and check for leaks everywhere.
Thanks Dan, you woke me up out of my morning lethargy. I think you've done this a few times ;^)
Once was enough.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
Thanks For your Advice Dan, You know what I'll be doing today T-boss