I've roughed in a new showerhead and body sprays with brass 90 degree drop ells screwed firmly to framing. I threaded in brass nipples for the body sprays using teflon tape (I noted in other threads that some use pipe dope instead or in addition to the tape). I used a cheaper galvanized nipple for the shower head, since this will be replaced with the shower arm. For my pressure test I capped everything with galvanized caps using teflon tape again.
I tightened the nipples by hand (not very far), then put on the caps and tightened them with a channellock plier. This tightened the threads to the ell as well, but apparently not very well. I got a very slight weep on a couple of these (at the ell in one case, at the cap in another).
(All my sweated connections are fine.)
My question: assuming I disassemble the threaded connections and re-do it with tape and dope, should I put a pipe wrench on the nipple to tighten it before capping? I don't have one, which is why I haven't tried it, and I don't want to use the channellocks since they tear into the brass. (I realize that is a little obsessive, since the nipples will never been seen again, but the channellocks just don't grip very well.)
I saw another post along the lines of "how tight", and I think I understand I'm just not tight enough now.
I guess I'm asking how would you pros do it? I know it seems like a lame question, especially since I've got all the sweated work done right, but I haven't worked with threaded fittings, and I don't want to mess it up and hide it in the wall.
Thanks.
I tightened the nipples by hand (not very far), then put on the caps and tightened them with a channellock plier. This tightened the threads to the ell as well, but apparently not very well. I got a very slight weep on a couple of these (at the ell in one case, at the cap in another).
(All my sweated connections are fine.)
My question: assuming I disassemble the threaded connections and re-do it with tape and dope, should I put a pipe wrench on the nipple to tighten it before capping? I don't have one, which is why I haven't tried it, and I don't want to use the channellocks since they tear into the brass. (I realize that is a little obsessive, since the nipples will never been seen again, but the channellocks just don't grip very well.)
I saw another post along the lines of "how tight", and I think I understand I'm just not tight enough now.
I guess I'm asking how would you pros do it? I know it seems like a lame question, especially since I've got all the sweated work done right, but I haven't worked with threaded fittings, and I don't want to mess it up and hide it in the wall.
Thanks.