Slightly ruined thread on shower pipe

[M0V13574R]

Hello all - first time plumber here needing advice on how to fix someone else's past mistake (honest!)

We moved into our new house not long ago and have finally got to replacing the dodgy shower head. The old shower head came off easily using a shifting spanner, however the thread on the piping that it screws on to is damaged slightly on one side. Now what happens is, when I go to put the new shower head on (or even replace the old one!) at some point it starts going on crooked and jams up. If you then look at it, its clearly not going on straight in reference to the fitting or the wall.

I just wish I had a camera good enough to capture the detail on the thread. Basically the thread is good all the way around except for one small part along the entire length that is flattened, as if someone filed it down slightly.

Does anyone know how one could fix a problem like this? Preferably keeping it a DIY job

 

[greemyamochop]

Carefully try to score a thread with a stanley* knife


*other utility knifes are available!!

 

[M0V13574R]

Thanks for your reply

I have tried that, but the problem I find is that the new fitting seems to skip the track very early on. Also, from what I can see, the thread on the fitting wouldnt actually touch the new threading anyway

 

[kevplumb]

run a 3 square file over the grooves in the thread

 

[TicklyT]

What standard fittings are used in your part of the world? BSP threads, as used in the UK and Europe, or National Pipe threads, as used in the Americas.

The two threads look almost identical, but fittings from one system don't fit the other.

 

[M0V13574R]

Will look into it. Thanks Kev

Trickly - only just saw your post! I really cant answer your question directly due to severe lack of knowledge. The only thing I can say for sure is that the fitting and the thread look like they will go together fine (and they do for about 1.5 turns) and then it goes crooked.

By the way, Ive tried applying some teflon tape prematurely to see if it helps - it doesnt. The fitting still gets stuck :/

 

[greemyamochop]

Tape more likey to make things worse

You have to sort the plastic thread out really, maybe try a jr hacksaw, very gently

 

[Nige F]

run a 3 square file over the grooves in the thread

Is that triangular or a Pentagon

 

[danhiltonplumbingservices]

i would use a hacksaw and make the thread a bit deeper also i would make sure you cant see the thread cross if you can get a knife and cut the burr off the thread this should solve the problem apart from that you need a taping set and re do the thread

 

[M0V13574R]

Good morning all.

Another day, SAME BLOODY PROBLEM!

Sorry I should have mentioned that the piping is actually made from metal. I dont have any toods apart from a stanley knife (and a lot of time) to score it.

I have a mate coming over with more experience on this. If he cant fix it, I have another mate that can come. The trouble is if this second person comes in, more than likely it means its not a simple job and its gonna cost

 

[Nige F]

Stanley knife won`t touch it - one like Crocodile Dundee`s might- tho` it would take the edge right off it Any of your M8`s got a magneto file in their Ute toolbox - I know you still run `50s motors - that will do it .

 

[M0V13574R]

Nige, Im not sure if you guys call it something different over there or I just dont know what a megneto file is!

As I said .. FIRST .. TIME .. PLUMBER

I have just been told that, with the exception of rare cases, that male fitting sticking out of my wall should be attached to a female inside the wall. If this is true in my case (and I can find out without damaging anything else) my problem is good as solved.

Geez .. this is taking WAY too long for a 10 minute job!

 

[Nige F]

It could be a brass nipple sticking out - magneto file , very small thin flat file used for dressing points on magneto ignition - sometimes in a little kit with spark plug brush etc. Yon need 2 backnuts on the thread screwed tight against each other- that`ll grip and unscrew the nipple