Cold water plumbing question

[Grace and Favour]

I'm about to fit a new accumulator to my cold water system.

 

It involves a threaded metal to metal connection - would it be best if I used PTFE tape on the joint, please?

 

Or is there a better compound?

[MtB]

PTFE will be fine, just make sure you put enough on.

 

And the best PTFE is GAS PTFE. It is about ten times thicker than normal PTFE. A bit like gas installers

 

 

MtB

[Grace and Favour]

PTFE will be fine, just make sure you put enough on.

 

And the best PTFE is GAS PTFE. It is about ten times thicker than normal PTFE. A bit like gas installers

 

 

MtB

Oi'll be tankin' you , zurr

[alan_fincher]

I had a lot of trouble getting a completely watertight connection on a new accumulator, despite massive amounts of PTFE tape. The threads were parallel.

 

I was told they are designed to work with a tap connector, so seal with a fibre washer on the end, and the threads not then needing to seal.

 

That sounds right to me, and is how I would do another, with the advantage you could use a flexible tap connector and have flexibility in positioning it.

[BargeeSpud]

I had a lot of trouble getting a completely watertight connection on a new accumulator, despite massive amounts of PTFE tape. The threads were parallel.

 

I was told they are designed to work with a tap connector, so seal with a fibre washer on the end, and the threads not then needing to seal.

 

That sounds right to me, and is how I would do another, with the advantage you could use a flexible tap connector and have flexibility in positioning it.

A tip top, top tip. Like it - lots.

[nicknorman]

Sealing a parallel thread connection with tape will always be a bodge! As Alan says, it should seal on the end face so use a tap connector, but you don't necessarily need to use a flexible hose one - you can get plastic plumbing fittings that go from tap fitting straight into plastic pipe.

[Grace and Favour]

Thank you Alan, Spuds & Nick

 

 

Plenty to go at here for me.

 

Time to don overalls, lie on floor with head in cupboard, water pump pressing into chest, and mess about with plumbing

 

Cheers chaps!

[alan_fincher]

Mine is now done with gas tape, but had a slight weep the first time I did it, even though I used loads. It now seals, having piled loads of tape on, but I wouldn't do it that way again.

 

If you do, and your threads are parallel, (which I think they will be), you need to try and build up a taper with the tape, so wind on a lot more ontto the end of the thread that will be screwing in last.

 

But I'd still buy a tap connector to fit, unless like me, you are at the boat, and want to try and make it work with existing materials, and not having to go somewhere to buy bits.

[DeanS]

unless like me, you are at the boat, and want to try and make it work with existing materials, and not having to go somewhere to buy bits.

 

OMG. If I had confessed to doing something like that, the forum would have castrated me and hung me out in public as an example of what happens to rebels...

 

[alan_fincher]

OMG. If I had confessed to doing something like that, the forum would have castrated me and hung me out in public as an example of what happens to rebels...

 

Again, I'm not sure I really have the proper tools for a castration, so I'm afraid this could be a bit of a bodge........

[Grace and Favour]

Again, I'm not sure I really have the proper tools for a castration, so I'm afraid this could be a bit of a bodge........

I've got some rather effective cable cutters if you wish to borrow them - - - - -

 

They'll sort out 3/16" stainless cable without difficulty (not suggesting that anyone's appendages are connected with s.steel you understand - but it's just a reference point)

 

And thanks for your update on the plumbing question, Alan

[system 4-50]

sealing parallel threads - loctite 55 string is great.

[smileypete]

For sealing parallel threads I use Fernox LSX jointing compound, as directed, Loctite 55 is supposed to be good.

 

Using flexibles is a good tip, WRAS certified flexis are supposed to be better for potable water than the el-cheapo ones.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~