HELP!! threaded fitting leaks!!

[Stinger]

OK , i just started my new setup , I have a hammerhead pump in the basement , only leak in the system i see is getting a little worse, it is coming out of the pump discharge side at the pvc outlet threads. 1-1/2" threaded to 1-1/2" pvc slip. I added pipe thread to it when installed and it still leaks. I hate these dang pvc threaded fittings , they always seem to leak. How can I stop the leak.?????????? anyone?:squigglemouth:

 

[mfdrookie516]

A little more teflon tape? I always put enough to make the connection hard to turn. Never had one leak doing it that way.

 

[thewackyreefer]

Yeah, I agree with adding more tape. I usually put enough on that I can't screw the fitting all the way in and have never had issues.

 

[Stinger]

Thanks Guys , maybe two rounds on the threads is not good enough.

 

[mfdrookie516]

I usually do 3 or 4... maybe even 5. As long as you get a couple full turns, you're in there enough... and the tape is easy to take off if you get too much.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Thanks Guys , maybe two rounds on the threads is not good enough.

Not nearly enough, 4 is the minimum, 5-6 is ideal.

 

[pgr11]

Take it from someone that has threaded thousands of pieces of pvc together. Use more teflon tape. If it's the tape from home depot You should wrap it 10 times around. The stuff at home depot is thin and cheap. Also wrap in the same direction as the threads are going, this is important as it will not try and unwrap the tape as you thread the 2 pieces together

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Take it from someone that has threaded thousands of pieces of pvc together. Use more teflon tape. If it's the tape from home depot You should wrap it 10 times around. The stuff at home depot is thin and cheap. Also wrap in the same direction as the threads are going, this is important as it will not try and unwrap the tape as you thread the 2 pieces together

10 is a little much. I would just buy the blue monster brand and do 3-4 wraps, plus there is more of it.

 

[pgr11]

10 is not a little much. If it is the home depot brand like most home owners buy it is super thin. Then you add the fact that the fittings are 1.5" and the threaded portion is much larger you want to wrap the threads from begining to end 10 times is more like 5 times from top to bottom. I do this for a living and all my junctions that I have had to use with the HD stuff get around 12 wraps. I dont use it unless it's in a pinch. with the thicker tape you can wrap 4-5 and be just fine. You need to take up the space in between the threads

 

[mfdrookie516]

While 10 does sound like a lot, as long as you can still grip the threads, I don't see why it would be a problem. Sounds like it works well for you. I suppose the thickness of the tape would play a big part. I've never compared them, I always just put enough on there to where the threads barely stick out... which has been between 3 and 5 normally.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

10 is not a little much. If it is the home depot brand like most home owners buy it is super thin. Then you add the fact that the fittings are 1.5" and the threaded portion is much larger you want to wrap the threads from begining to end 10 times is more like 5 times from top to bottom. I do this for a living and all my junctions that I have had to use with the HD stuff get around 12 wraps. I dont use it unless it's in a pinch. with the thicker tape you can wrap 4-5 and be just fine. You need to take up the space in between the threads

It isn't bad at all, just a more than you need. Are you talking on a drain, or for pressurized water? I am assuming pressurized water now that I think of it, in which case that is not excessive at all

 

[pgr11]

Pressure side . If it were in a drain situation no need for that much. :bounce:

 

[AZDesertRat]

Use ONLY this:
LA-CO: Product Detail - PLASTO-JOINT STIK® - Plastic Thread Sealant

It is designed specifically for PVC unlike teflon tapes and is an excellent product. My above ground swiming pool was plumbed with PVC using only this sealant on the threads in 1983 and to this day I have no leaks and the sealant is still pliable even in direct sunlight. You can find generic versions at places like ACE and True Value or other hardware stores but I prefer the real thing myself. I keep a couple tubes in my toolbox all the time for sprinkler repairs etc.

I used it on all my reef plumbing almost 9 years ago now and its still drip tight and pliable.

The other thing you want to do with any threaded PVC fittings is to clean the excess flashing out of the threads, both male and female, using a jewelers file, Xacto knife or nail file before applying any sealants or assembling anything. Flashing tears teflon tape and scours or scrapes the sealants away causing leaks.

I have a Bulkhead Installation Tips sticky thread on this forum that goes into much more detail on threaded fittings and bulkheads.