Potential disaster...shower outlets in tiled wall - help!

[jonwestuk]

I am fitting my bathroom and have an issue with the shower elbow. The feed to the elbow is a 15mm female 90 degree connector screwed in place behind the wall. The pipe was pushed right up against the Marmox backing board to allow easy installation, however my tiler has done a great job, and has squared off the wall meaning that the tile is now further proud of the wall than I intended.

This means that my shower hose elbow only has 2-3 turns before becoming lodged. My concern is that this will not be enough to guarantee a tight seal. What are my options?

1. Lots of PTFE on the thread and hope for the best.
2. Some form of sealing compound on the thread? (is there even such a thing?)
3. Try to dislodge the wood securing the elbow behind and then put in some kind of extension (I would need to push the elbow back a good 50mm I guess which may just be possible).
4. Other ideas?

Photos on their way!

 

[jonwestuk]

just had another attempt and managed to force 4 full turns out of the elbow. I think 4 seems like it should be satisfactory if I use PTFE tape. What is everyone elses views?

 

[Dan Robinson]

Liquid PTFE.

 

[mike42]

Hi

I'm not a professional but have installed a couple of showers recently (my own). I had a lot of trouble thinking very carefully about exactly where the outside tap fitting had to be placed.

If it was me in your situation I would use loctite 55 plus LSX and using trial/error get just the right amount of pfte so that after (4 turns you say) its as tight as can be.

No doubt I'll be shot down for shoddy advice when the real plumbers arrive but other than asking on this forum thats what I would do.

 

[Jackrae]

Homebase do small tubes of a white epoxy compound in their plumbing section that is excellent at sealing water fittings. Smear it on the male threads and simply screw the parts together. One hour later it's set rock-solid and watertight and it'll never come apart.

 

[freeflow]

One of these? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-Brass-M-x-F-Tap-Extension-/111029620630

 

[jonwestuk]

All amazing replies - I think I will try the epoxy or liquid PTFE. The extension is a great idea that I may use on the rainfall part instead of screwing the arm in further.