Tale of Two Nipples

[OldGuyPete]

Ok. Now, get your head out of gutter.

 

Two valves (the same model).

Two brass nipples (the same model).

 

Both turned the same number of times... both connecting the same fitting, etc.

 

The only variable is the pipe thread sealant (teflon paste). (I may have put too little(?) or too much(?) on one or the other)

 

One leaks, from both ends of nipple. One doesn't leak at all.

 

Should I be concerned about the non-leaker leaking down the road?

 

Thanks for the help,

 

Pete

 

P.S. I usually use teflon TAPE, NOT this paste crap... and never have had a problem... first and last time I'll be using the paste junk.

[diverlloyd]

I'm a swimming pool contractor and I have installed literally thousands of threaded fittings. I use teflon paste all the time and it usually works pretty good, but on high pressure connections, I will put paste on the threads and then cover it with two turns of teflon tape. On leakers, the problem usually is either the cut of the thread or debris between threads. Sometimes, on metal fittings, there will be machine oil left on the threads. Teflon paste will not stick to the metal if oil is present, so you have to clean the threads first. If you did everything right and you still have a leaker, use a different fitting. Sometimes the threads are screwed up.

[OldGuyPete]

diver,

 

Thanks for the tips.

 

So, for the one that is NOT leaking, yet assembled the same way as the one that was leaking, what would you do? Leave it or redo it the same way I re-did the leaker?

 

Thanks,

Pete

[diverlloyd]

leave it, sounds like you did it right. Remember Bum Phillip's line, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

[drumset5994]

This post title is misleading.

 

 

Oh well.

 

 

Dear Penthouse...

[Wingnut]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I like the modified version of it.

 

"If it aint broke, don't fix it. If it don't fit, force it. If it breaks, well...It needed to be replaced anyway".

 

[Trouttrooper]

my grandpa told me long ago. Don't use force, get a bigger hammer.

[diverlloyd]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I like the modified version of it.

 

"If it aint broke, don't fix it. If it don't fit, force it. If it breaks, well...It needed to be replaced anyway".

 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

That's what I tell my customers

[Elwood 2000]

Don't use force, get a bigger hammer.

 

Everything can be fixed with a mixture of brute strength and ignorance. You choose the ratio.

[ZZebes]

If it ain't broke, Fix it till it is

[GMC6000]

9 times out of 10 the paste will leak. Teflon tape is the only thing to use. Myself, I would take it apart and redo it. It will be a matter of time before it leaks.