hi, been lurking around here for a while, first time posting.
i'm installing a new b-w electric water heater in my crawl space and ran into a problem with the threaded ends. they're both bubbling out water past the threads.
my installation went as follow: wrapped the steel pipe thread with about 3 turns of teflon tape clockwise. tightened the copper fitting with a 2 inch pipe soldered on. dropped the 90 deg on the 2 inch pipe and soldered.
when i filled the tank up, i noticed the leaks so i drained it some and popped off the 90 on the hot side. i tightened it down some more but then the steel pipe in the tank started turning. now when i unscrewed it, the whole hot side piece unscrewed with it. it has some type of red sealant on the hot side threads.
i'm thinking that because of the short distance to the 90 where i have to solder the heat is affecting the thread seal. plus i've got to make sure i reinstall the hot side correctly as well.
what would be the best way to properly seal the threads and is there a way to not have so much heat hit the threads? maybe a damp rag wrapped around the fitting? or would that prevent the pipe from being soldered?
unfortunately there's just not much overhead room to work with.
thanks in advance.
i'm installing a new b-w electric water heater in my crawl space and ran into a problem with the threaded ends. they're both bubbling out water past the threads.
my installation went as follow: wrapped the steel pipe thread with about 3 turns of teflon tape clockwise. tightened the copper fitting with a 2 inch pipe soldered on. dropped the 90 deg on the 2 inch pipe and soldered.
when i filled the tank up, i noticed the leaks so i drained it some and popped off the 90 on the hot side. i tightened it down some more but then the steel pipe in the tank started turning. now when i unscrewed it, the whole hot side piece unscrewed with it. it has some type of red sealant on the hot side threads.
i'm thinking that because of the short distance to the 90 where i have to solder the heat is affecting the thread seal. plus i've got to make sure i reinstall the hot side correctly as well.
what would be the best way to properly seal the threads and is there a way to not have so much heat hit the threads? maybe a damp rag wrapped around the fitting? or would that prevent the pipe from being soldered?
unfortunately there's just not much overhead room to work with.
thanks in advance.