compression fittings leaking

[gazthepottertonengineer]

if you use lsx you wont have to touch it again fit and forget

 

[Agile]

I never ever thought that I would ever agree on anything with this Trainee Gas man!

However I do have to say that, in my view, with a good quality compression fittings, with copper olives, no other jointing material is necessary.

Having said that, many of the available fittings are not very well made. A common evidence of this is that they click or jerk as they are being tightened up.

Although I will virtually never use jointing compound or PTFE tape on a new fitting, I will often use a little silicone grease on the mating surfaces and particularly on the threads to reduce friction.

On an old or troublesome fitting I use PTFE tape around the olive. Many students put it around the nut threads where it has no function at all.

Tony Glazier

 

[ollski]

I use nothing on gas and lsx on water, especially if its on someting like a mid position valve on the ground floor of a 3 storey house

 

[traineegasman]

I never ever thought that I would ever agree on anything with this Trainee Gas man!

However I do have to say that, in my view, with a good quality compression fittings, with copper olives, no other jointing material is necessary.

Having said that, many of the available fittings are not very well made. A common evidence of this is that they click or jerk as they are being tightened up.

Although I will virtually never use jointing compound or PTFE tape on a new fitting, I will often use a little silicone grease on the mating surfaces and particularly on the threads to reduce friction.

On an old or troublesome fitting I use PTFE tape around the olive. Many students put it around the nut threads where it has no function at all.

Tony Glazier

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

But LSX is silicone isn't it?

I'm with oilman on this one!
Using a similar quality silicone is no more bad practice than using Mr Muscle kitchen cleaner in the bathroom or vice versa. The stuff does the same job it just doesnt know what room it is in!
Silicone was created for the space and air industry. Then they, actually not this They but another they looked at other places it could be used, added colouring and started using it for rocker box gaskets on cars etc a.k.a. 'Silicone RTV® instant gasket'. Then eventually the construction industry were sold it and some bright spark @ fernox decided they could get more money for less silicone by marketing it as LSX

 

[gazthepottertonengineer]

as long as it works which it does i dont have a problem with it
especially as i dont have to pay for it

 

[ChrisR]

Quote:

But LSX is silicone isn't it?

I'm with oilman on this one!

But silicone isn't just silicone. It's a loose term, and there are zillions of variations. LS-X sets much softer than sanitary stuff, and comes apart easily. I've seen decorators use sanitary on rad valves - it really doesn't want to come off.

I don't like LS-X becasue of the suicide lid - always breaks at the circle where they make it extra weak.
I use sealant sometimes - when I think it would help. I prefer the ones with a brush in the lid, and ptfe in the compound. They include Swan-seal, Virgin White and Slic-Tite, for gas threads too.

 

[gazthepottertonengineer]

i have to agree they need to sort out a better holder for LSX as it always sets and you have a nightmare getting it out after a while

 

[doitall]

After 46 years I'm not about to change

Applying paste give a water proof joint and piece of mind every time, end of story.

 

[B.O.B DOLE]

After 46 years I'm not about to change

Applying paste give a water proof joint and piece of mind every time, end of story.

do you use boss white and where do you smear the paste on the thread are the olive

 

[doitall]

I use Jet Blue on the pipe end just before the olive, Boss white is ok for heating but not domestic water

 

[bobxx]

Dont recall compression fittings 46 years ago

First i used was simplefix about 30 years ago

just need nip up to work ok

 

[JPC]

i save up all the hard grease out of blocked sink wastes and use that...easy to apply...cheap...enviromently friendly...smells good

Maybe not..Jet Blue for me, as said already, compression should not need it but i feel it helps as sometimes i've had leaks when not used and then seem to have to really tighten the nut to stop it

 

[gazthepottertonengineer]

i bet you use Hemp as well Do it All instead of PTFE

 

[doitall]

i bet you use Hemp as well Do it All instead of PTFE

How much ya wanta bet m8

for all Mi fittings up to and including 67mm I use Loctite 55 string.

The norm for heating, hot and cold services, and gas above 54mm (2") would be welded flanges or brazed.