View Full Version : One more turn on shower arm?
Laneman
01-20-2007, 04:52 AM
I'm screwing in a new shower arm on a bath remodel and it lines up just as it begins to get snug. Does not feel like it is tight enough to seal, and I was wondering if I should/could go one more turn, or should I load it up with pipe dope and stop where I am?
leejosepho
01-20-2007, 08:22 AM
That is one of those judgment calls one learns to make over time, and I often consider the size of the tool and grip required as indicators! If you do not have a shutoff in your showerhead, this particular connection will never see full line pressure ...
From what you have described, I would go another round and then decide about going any farther.
PS: I get a kick from the torque spec for a certain GM bolt: "Fully seated on bottom, not broken"!
jimbo
01-20-2007, 08:38 AM
What tool are you using to tighten it?
What you learn from trial and error is to sense that point where it is "tight enough" and stop that turn at the proper point. If you go past, you are committed for another full turn, which may be too much.
The handle of a 12" channellock in the pipe is a good tool.
plumber1
01-20-2007, 12:55 PM
ditto again....
Verdeboy
01-20-2007, 08:33 PM
I've found that with shower arms and tub spouts, you can almost always coax out that last turn to get it in the correct position. But, if you're not sure you can get another full turn out of it and you think it might leak, unscrew it and wrap the threads with teflon tape and then tighten it back up again.
I like to use a plumbers pliers to tighten shower arms after I've wrapped a rag around it.
I tighten with 2 hands and some leverage from the 45 to the end of the pipe. Teflon tape is my choice also. I have never had a scratch or leak.