How to seal parallel threads?

[barki]

Hi

I'm doing an upstairs bathroom and have just fitted one of the lovely 'Bathstore' triple shower valves (hot in, cold in, bath filler out, shower out).

The threads mounted inside the valve seemed unusual so I called bathstore and asked how to connect to them. They advised using parallel thread, 3/4" fittings, which I duly bought (on ebay since neither Travis Perkins, Wickes, nor B&Q appeared to stock these). I fitted these with a smear of silicone grease around the threads, noting the absence of an olive, I felt something should go on threads.

Anyway, all four are weeping when under pressure from the shower pump. Tightening them seems to make no difference.

What can I do?

If it makes any difference, in all four cases I've used copper pipe going into each fitting, not & olive on one side, straight into the valve body on the other.

Cheers in advance!

Tom

 

[barki]

P.S Neither the valve nor the 3/4" fittings came with any O-rings. Shoud I try and source 4 of those?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Liquid PTFE

 

[TCCHeating]

Ptfe tape or a washer is needed

Does the female connection seem to have a flat surface/ ledge inside that would take a washer, so when you screw your male connector it would meet the washer and create a seal

 

[Gasguru]

You wind PTFE tape on the threads forming a taper ie. more turns at the back of the thread. When you screw it in make sure there's sufficient PTFE that the thread doesn't run out.

 

[barki]

Hi,

yep the female side has a small taper on the outer edge, I presume you mean a rubber washer?

I'll try and buy some tomorrow, thnx v much for the replies.

 

[Burnerman]

'O' rings won't be any use unless they have a 'land' to locate into......a fibre washer may help here but you should get away with liquid ptfe plus ptfe tape, and then a little more sealant before you screw it in.
Using too many washers / seals can give more problems than they solve, even with every good intention!
John

 

[muggles]

I'm doing an upstairs bathroom and have just fitted one of the lovely 'Bathstore' triple shower valves (hot in, cold in, bath filler out, shower out).
Tom

Hmmm...good luck getting spares for that when it goes wrong!

 

[barki]

They can't be that rare - they're sold on Victoira plumb too! What's likely to go wrong with it?

 

[muggles]

That'll be Victoria Plumb, also known as MFI will it? Hardly inspires confidence....

To be fair, if you've bought a "brand name" shower from them then parts shouldn't be too hard to obtain, but if you've bought one of their own brand range it'll most likely be very difficult/impossible to obtain spares, in which case the whole shower unit will need to be replaced

As for what might go wrong, nothing is bulletproof but common issues are on/off valves not turning off properly, and thermostatic cartridges failing leading to fluctuating or uncontrollable temperatures. I replaced a thermo cartridge in a three year old shower a few weeks ago...

This is where purchasing well known established brands has a real advantage - they might be more expensive initially but the manufacturers will go on producing spares long after the shower has been discontinued