Didn't know about pipe dope, now what?

rafigso · Jan 9, 2013

I have 2 shower valves and one of them has a one drop at a time leak from the threads. I used Teflon and no dope. I would have used the dope if I had known about it. Short of cutting out the valve and reconnecting everything, is there a sealant I can put around the outside of the threads to seal this drop by drop leak?

Thanks in advance,
Rafael

Terry · Jan 9, 2013

No. There is nothing that will seal from the outside.
You will have to cut and redo the joint. It may be that it just wasn't tight enough.
Options are:

Tape
Dope
Tape and dope

I would normally just use dope. I don't really like getting too much heat near a joint with tape.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Cacher_Chick · Jan 9, 2013

No, removing it and redoing the leaking fitting is the correct method of repair. I prefer solder/sweating valves in place for this reason.

Gary Swart · Jan 9, 2013

I think the best way to do this is to sweat the male adapter to the copper pipe before screwing the adapter into the shower valve. Additional soldering can be done to complete the installation without getting the valve too hot.

rafigso · Jan 9, 2013

Thank for the quick reply, took everything out and used the dope, everything is good now.

hj · Jan 10, 2013

I never use tape on metal threads, only for PVC.

Tom Sawyer · Jan 10, 2013

I have never used tape in my life for anything except wrapping presents

DonL · Jan 10, 2013

Pipe dope is illegal in Texas.

Terry · Jan 10, 2013

Pipe dope is illegal in Texas.

But not in Washington or Colorado!

Doesn't help me any though. I like micro beers. I don't put anything in my body that won't wash out in 24 hours.
THC has a half life of 28 days.

DonL · Jan 11, 2013

Terry said:
But not in Washington or Colorado!

Doesn't help me any though. I like micro beers. I don't put anything in my body that won't wash out in 24 hours.
THC has a half life of 28 days.

There is nothing better than a Beer after a hard days work.

Well, maybe a cigarette after you lay a bunch of pipe, that may come close.

Didn't know about pipe dope, now what?

rafigso

New Member

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard

Sponsor

Paid Advertisement

Cacher_Chick

Test, Don't Guess!

Gary Swart

In the Trades

rafigso

New Member

hj

Master Plumber

Tom Sawyer

In the Trades

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one

Terry

The Plumbing Wizard

DonL

Jack of all trades Master of one

Similar threads