Plumbing Mistake

[lukesmith26]

Hi Everyone

I moved into a new flat recently & yesterday started to have a leak from the cold water pipe under the kitchen sink , have some very very basic plumbing knowledge thought could fix myself rather get a pro but bit short for cash at the moment.
I isolated the water supply & took the fitting along to b&q to replace, the guy said it was a Isolation valve.
Anyway went home attached the fitting using a olive & ptfe tape and still was dripping!

Today went to this plumbing shop said I had a leak on the isolation valve and recommended this sealent called Fernox joint compound told me what todo, anyway did the trick was very proud of myself! until I noticed on the back of the tin says not suitable for potable water i.e. (drinking) help! Not sure what to do now.


Thanks

 

[Mushybees]

Don't sweat it too much. Although they shouldn't, many plumbers still use it every day.
The merchant should have known better but they're not plumbers lol. If it bothers you just remake the joint after cleaning the compound off. Look for water hawk or LSX, two of many jointing compounds for potable water.

 

[Puddle]

Well it’s not going to do you any harm really but because of the chemicals used to make it, it is not advised to be used for potable water, but you probably breathe in worse through the day
If you are that concerned isolate supply again and remove valve in question, you will see the compound has turned to rubber peel/rub it off and using the ptfe tape you purchased,rap the tape around the olive on the pipe, just two turns, not on the thread, this will do the same as the fernox compound and then re-tighten joint and should be ok

 

[newbie1]

if you notice a third eye growing in your forehead then change it immdtly

 

[secret squirrel]

Doesn't sound too much of a problem, when it continued to leak did you tighten the two nuts a little more?

What I would do is turn the water off again, remove the isolation valve, I would replace it in case of any residue, some may say clean it.

Then re-tighten the isolation valve, if leaks, tighten a little more.

If it leaks and you are unable to tighten it any more I would then, turn the water off and replace the offending olive.

This can be done carefully with a hacksaw being careful not to cut/score the pipe. I don't this method, I use an olive puller.

I would then run the tap for a few minutes, just to make sure the water is clean

 

[migoplumber]

maybe its not the isolaton valve, but something higher up on the pipe running down,
wrap some toilet roll around the pipe and watch where it gets wet from ???!!!

shaun

 

[lukesmith26]

Thanks everyone for advice just wasnt sure if safe.

From now on proper plumber all the way, not worth the risk.

 

[migoplumber]

some times its worth having a bash yourself luke. sometimes with help you can.
sometimes things go a bit wrong and you cant. i get jobs that dont go to plan every day!!
hand shake to you for realising you consider yourself out of your depth.

good luck.

 

[REDSAW]

depending on the age of the property and fixings, dont worry about it as most of your pipe work will have boss white on every joint if it has been plumbed in the 1980's at a guess.

 

[royalflush]

I would strongly advise you to strip the pipework out immediately. That compund is highly toxic, and there is a good chance you will die if swallowed. If you don't believe me you should ask for the COSHH sheets from Fernnox.

 

[danielp]

I would strongly advise you to strip the pipework out immediately. That compund is highly toxic, and there is a good chance you will die if swallowed. If you don't believe me you should ask for the COSHH sheets from Fernnox.

bit over the top , if you need some one to come and strip all your pipes out ile gladly come and do it free of charge

 

[royalflush]

I was only joking about all of that, I wouldn't worry. If you do want the pipework taking out I too will put my name forward!