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Compression fit - ptfe tape or paste?

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:33 pm
by Scoie
Hi, being a total novice in the plumbing arena, i was wonderering when making a standard compression fit joint what to use around the thread / olive etc to ensure a water tight fit?

Thanks in advance

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:14 pm
by bobplum
evening
the technical answer i suppose is nothing? its supposed to be water tight
(this will probarly start a good debate!)
bob

Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:50 pm
by rosebery
Actually if the joint is made properly on a compression fitting you don't need either. A smear of hawkwhite or bosswhite (water hawk or bossgreen for potable water) round the olive helps. Wrapping PTFE round the thread does nothing for the seal but does prevent that annoying screech of metal on metal - particularly on 22mm+ comp fittings.

Its the olive that does the work so if you want to use PTFE to help make the joint a wrap round the olive is a good plan. But not too much otherwise you won't get a seal at all.

Cheers

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 8:27 am
by htg engineer
Nothing required. The fitting will make a watertight seal.


htg

Posted: Fri Apr 10, 2009 10:05 am
by rosebery
"(this will probarly start a good debate!)"

LoL - three answers in a row saying the same thing. Debate over before its started?

Cheers