Compression fittings

[Louisbean]

All,

Just installing our new sink - the plumber did all the underfloor work for me but I'm doing the last part myself

The plan was to use 4 compression elbows, I've connected them up but stupidly didn't look it up first and realise I've made a few mistakes

Firstly I tightened them as much as I could and there was quite a bit of creaking in a few of them. I also totally forgot the wire wool and didn't use ptfe

I can re do them no problem but my question is this - if I turn everything on and it doesn't leak, is that a fair guarantee it will never leak or can these fittings sometimes develop leaks later if not done properly in the first place? Two of them will be behind the wall so I obviously want to be fairly sure!

If so I'll buy new ones and start again.

L

 

[Louisbean]

Should sae it was all new piping, mainly chrome but one piece of copper.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Wire wool and PTFE for compression fittings... your not at the wind up by any chance?

 

[Louisbean]

Nope, just a beginner - I didn't think I needed them, but read something this morning that said I did. Re last question, I'm a bit worried I over tightened them, if they're not leaking now is it possible they will start in the future or am I fairly safe?

 

[oz-plumber]

Nope, just a beginner - I didn't think I needed them, but read something this morning that said I did. Re last question, I'm a bit worried I over tightened them, if they're not leaking now is it possible they will start in the future or am I fairly safe?

To this post, there is no advice anyone can give you.
All I can say is that if a Plumber did the fittings up, turned the water on / pressure tested and they didn't leak, then it would be deemed by the Plumber that the fittings are OK.

The difference is that if they did leak, the damage & repairs would most probably be covered by the Plumbers Insurance.
In your case, the damage & repairs would come out of your pocket.

Not being harsh - just stating the facts.

 

[Louisbean]

Sorry, theres a crossed wire here, forgetting the plumber for the minute, I installed some compression valves (not him). I just want to know this - if they are not leaking now is it possible they might leak in the future if I may have over tightened them?

 

[Gary59]

Hello

No way to be 100% sure, ptfe tape is not required for decent compression fittings. As a rule of thumb its best to tighten with correct size spanner (not large adjustable) until moderate resistance felt, you can always nip them up a little if they then weep. Best guess is if they don't leak after a few days, probably will be fine.

Gary

 

[snowhead]

if they are not leaking now is it possible they might leak in the future if I may have over tightened them?

Most unlikely.

What you think is over-tightened may not actually be so.

 

[oz-plumber]

Sorry, theres a crossed wire here, forgetting the plumber for the minute, I installed some compression valves (not him). I just want to know this - if they are not leaking now is it possible they might leak in the future if I may have over tightened them?

Who knows - you did the fittings.

Chances are they won't leak - but they're the chances we all take.

 

[WaterTight]

compression fittings may not need ptfe or paste but it's commonplace to be called out to compression joints that are leaking after years of being fine. invariably these do not have any ptfe or paste. so for the time taken to apply and cost it's a no brainer.

if the pipe and olive are in good condition they'll likely be fine. over-tightening compression joints to the point of leaking requires quite some gusto. and if your compression fittings cost around a quid each it's normal for them to squeak around the point of correct tightening.

compression fittings hidden in a wall is not considered best practise but not the end of the world either.

 

[leethegasman]

Nope, just a beginner - I didn't think I needed them, but read something this morning that said I did. Re last question, I'm a bit worried I over tightened them, if they're not leaking now is it possible they will start in the future or am I fairly safe?

Wait a minute I will dust off my crystal ball,
Just a joke don't hang me [emoji3]

 

[Louisbean]

Thanks all. Understand this much better now. Cheers

 

[spanner]

WHATEVER YOU DO JUST WANTED TO GET THE COMPRESSION RANGE. .. JUST DO YOU'D MAKE SURE IT'S ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE AND NOT HIDING UNDER FLOORS of CEILING AND WALLS.

 

[joni os]

Disappointed at the quality of many compression fittings being sold, I now always check the
extent the nut can be hand tightened, with and without the olive. This to ensure sufficient travel on the nut to allow compression of the olive and if necessary change the olive.