New 'Y' splitter and still leaking, what next?

[jshailes]

When installing a dishwasher I added a Y splitter onto the existing tee (where the washing machine used to connect) so that I could also connect the dishwasher to the cold water feed. Since then we've had a slow drip between the Y splitter and the tee.

I wondered if the plastic Y splitter was faulty/poor quality, so I purchased a metal one but unfortunately still have the same problem. I'm not sure if this was the right thing to do but I tried wrapping PTFE tape around the tee thread about 6 times but again no joy.

If anyone could offer some advice it would be much appreciated. Image and video below:


[video=youtube_share;iZ9Rr8_JfaY]https://youtu.be/iZ9Rr8_JfaY[/video]

 

[turnpin]

Does it have a rubber washer in it ...if not you need to fit one....regards Turnpin:8:

 

[gassafe]

As above, check rubber washer... Sometimes the valve will not screw on enough as it hits the blue handle... Check that too! Should not need the ptfe if the rubber seal is doing its job

 

[jshailes]

Thanks for your replies.

There is a rubber washer in there. When I took the Y splitter off there was an imprint in the rubber washer where it had pressed against the tee so it seems like it's making contact. I'm not sure if the imprint was even all the way around, I wondered if it wasn't touching around one side. The washer filled the inside of the Y splitter though so it couldn't be any bigger.

The washer was also not flat after I undid the Y splitter, it was convex, as if it has been sucked in to the tee.

 

[plumben]

Turn your cold main off drain the water out of the pipe work undo the tee before the y piece and fit a 15mm compression tee, should be easy using the old nuts and olives, then come out of the tee with a small bit of copper then the tee you've removed and a new washing machine straight

Should only take an hour or two and wont cost more than £25 to buy all the materials and tools if you haven't got them

 

[jshailes]

So do you think the fault is in the Y splitters? Seems strange that both of them wouldn't work, are they just generally unreliable?

Is there any chance the existing tee could be faulty?

 

[village idiot]

So do you think the fault is in the Y splitters? Seems strange that both of them wouldn't work, are they just generally unreliable?

Is there any chance the existing tee could be faulty?

Nothing wrong with both of them. You just haven't managed to fit/tighten it flush, so the washer is not making a good seal.

 

[Best]

The washing machine valve tee will probably have a sharp edge where the washer will hit it. This is maybe your problem, although a decent rubber washer & it all tightened should have sealed. I would have done as above comment and fitted 2 valves.

 

[jshailes]

Nothing wrong with both of them. You just haven't managed to fit/tighten it flush, so the washer is not making a good seal.

Any suggestions on how to fit/tighten it flush? Could I over tighten it? Could I have ruined the washer? Are some washers better than others? Sorry for all the questions!

 

[Dsp]

Never fit a y splitter I've removed a few just fit another valve quickest way to fix it and then you can turn them off independently

 

[jshailes]

Turn your cold main off drain the water out of the pipe work undo the tee before the y piece and fit a 15mm compression tee, should be easy using the old nuts and olives, then come out of the tee with a small bit of copper then the tee you've removed and a new washing machine straight

Should only take an hour or two and wont cost more than £25 to buy all the materials and tools if you haven't got them

It sounds like this is general consensus 🙂 I'll get the parts ordered. Will I need any tools other than an adjustable spanner and a pipe wrench?

How long does the copper pipe need to be? I was going to try to find a piece of the right length but if I can't I guess I'll need a pipe cutter?

 

[village idiot]

There is a possibility you may have nipped the washer. But you should be able to use one of the wasshers from the other Tee you removed earlier.
Start by undoing the tee completely, then fit a new washer to the section that is leaking andconnect up that section first. Start by rotating it anti-clockwise to the point you are convinced it's ''sitting'' flush, then gently rotate it clockwise ensuring it rotates smoothly. If any effort is applied or needed at the first few turns, then you are bound to have a leak. Now do the same for the others. Hopefully, that should get you sorted. You really should not have to use any PTFE

 

[Best]

It'll probably cost you more than a plumber. Only a few minutes work

 

[gassafe]

If the washer is convex shape when you took it apart then it was probably over tightened! You could try a large fibre washer as they don't move about like the rubber ones & the y splitter looks to be a solid piece so would accept one.

 

[Stigster]

Did you get it sorted? I'd go with gassafe's learned opinion and say you've over tightened it. Tighter isn't always better, especially when it comes to rubber seals. That fitting should make a good seal done up just hand tight.