Leaking Pipes

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ronj

Blue Tang
Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
4,490
Location
Destin,Fl
one or two of the joints going to my sump have a very slight leak....how can i fix this without taking the pipes off and re-gluing them???? one of the leaks is from a union..i may just try to wrap the threads with tape..any thoughts????
 
and this is why a leak test is a good thing.

you can try putting some pvc glue into a syringe and injecting it where the leak is occuring.

if it's coming from a union i'd take it apart and make sure the rubber o-ring is seated properly and re-tighten the union.
 
i never had to use tape on any of my countless unions. either the rubber o-ring is not seated or it's not tight enough.
 
i checked the joints the day after i glued them.. there was no leak...there is no accumulation of water on the ground...i had 20g in the tank when i checked it....i just noticed the leak today
 
i know..i have never had any problem from a union...i think i mixed up the parts to the unions at Home Depot..i was checking to make sure they could mix match in case i accidentally mix matched them after i took them apart
 
i know..i have never had any problem from a union...i think i mixed up the parts to the unions at Home Depot..i was checking to make sure they could mix match in case i accidentally mix matched them after i took them apart

Try a thicker o ring on the union. The other leaks are easy, well sort of. Pull a vacuum on the plumbing with a shop vac. Warm the pipe with a blow dryer and it will suck glue into the joint.

Don
 
I recently had done some new plumbing on an existing tank and had a leak as well. I tried adding glue to the joint to no avail. I had to cut the joint out and basically start over...talk about a pain in the butt.
 
well i added some tape to the union..i added glue on the other joint..i will let it dry for a bit and try again..if not, i will redo the pipe completely
 
from what i understand.

why do you need orings? if the pipeing is all the same size and the union's are corect it should be just glue and push it together.?
 
I Teflon all threaded fittings about 5 wraps counter clockwise, so when you make the thread it screws the Teflon into the threads & not out, now with the actual threads on the union nut, it is designed not to need a sealant, if it leaks then go to your HD, Lowe's or plumbing supply with the o-ring &* get a replacement & be done with it.
 
If the union is leaking, I'd personally just replace the thing if it is where the O ring is supposed to seal it. :oops: Other than that, if it is at a joint, I usually mix a small batch of epoxy and seal it that way. Silicone works like that as well. I had 2 leaky joints and that's how I stopped it. Good luck man:)
 
ok, orings for threded conections?

my frined mike plumed a LFS (got him self a free RR250 as pay)

but he didnt use threaded pipe.

just slide all the stuff together and glue, that will work right?

thats what i plan on doing.

the over flow is 1.5"
i guess ill have to screw to on to the over flow. but then ill mantian 1.5 strait down to a 45 to antoher 45 and another and another till i get to the sump

but the pipe and the 45's will be glued. (with ball valves installed as well)

that will work right?
 
Burning, the unions can be glued to the pipe depending on the type you get but the union connection itself has & o-ring so you can take it apart later if necessary, it isn't required but very useful if you need to take apart piping later on, then you would wish you had them. Comprenda?
 
Yeah, the point of the union is to be able to seperate the plumbing for whatever reason like removing the closed loop pump etc to clean it. Other than that, people would just run a straight pipe:)
 
Our local Home Depot has a new product called Stretch and Seal. It's like a tape made from silicone. You can stretch it tightly as you wrap it around the leak and it sticks to itself. I love the stuff. It's already sealed a couple of minor drips in my plumbing. Look for it in the Plumbing area of the store.
 

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