Problems with manifold.

[SMB]

Hi,
I am slowly refurbishing my mothers old house for us to move in.

Fitting a new CH system. (All gas work and boiler installation is being done by a local firm).

The problem I have is with the CH manifold. Where I am joining the manifolds together they leak, a small drip now and then. I have tried much PTFE tape, but as the manifolds screw together with only three and a half turns and without the PTFE the joint flexes a fair, it really is quite loose.

When I put it in the fixings to the wall join seemed tight, but when I took it down after the leak it was nowhere near as tight.


what are my options? Considered soldering them together but that seems an admission of failure.

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

cheers


SMB


The manifolds are made by Emmeti of Italy. Photo below.

 

[gassafe]

Is that for underflooR?

I'm guessing there should be a washer in between them or you should have got a bigger manifold!?

 

[SMB]

No washer is listed and the manufacturers quote that they can be joined together.
The largest manifold they do of this type is 4 ways.

Cheers

 

[gassafe]

Is it for underfloor heating or radiators? Emmeti is underfloor gear I think

 

[SMB]

Yes underfloor.

 

[gassafe]

I have only ever made an mic threaded type joint into the end if a manifold, not another manifold! If it only goes in 3 1/2 turns then you don't have much thread to get a good seal... Soldering won't work on a threaded joint too well!

Maybe some loctite 55 cord would be better

 

[SMB]

Thanks.

As all merchants are closed now will have to wait.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

boss white and hemp if that doesnt work

 

[SMB]

Hadn't thought of that. Ace idea.
Gosh that takes me back.
Many thanks

 

[AlexGas]

Thanks.

As all merchants are closed now will have to wait.

Thanks for your advice.

No plowing during the weekend! Have a beer! :smile:

 

[Dsp]

Where are you in the country?? If local I will bring you some loctite

 

[SMB]

What a great offer, however I live far too far away.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Where are you in the country?? If local I will bring you some loctite

Agree with that, loctite 55 will sort this no problem.

 

[SMB]

Sorted. Thanks to all.
Great help.
Cheers SMB

 

[Gray0689]

Yes underfloor.

Your using them for underfloor?
How are you controlling it
How are you mixing the water

 

[Worcester]

emmeti use rubber 'O' rings so that they don't have to be squeezed up tight

emmeti do bigger manifolds : Emmeti UK | Manufacturer of Underfloor Heating Products, Manifold Systems for UFH and plumbing applications, and solar componentry

 

[electron]

Sorted. Thanks to all.
Great help.
Cheers SMB

And the solution was?

 

[SMB]

The problem.
When joining the two manifolds, when aligned only 3 1/2 thread turns. Although you could get another 3/4 turn before the thread bottomed out but the outlets were not aligned.
When I bought the manifolds no rubber ring was listed for these manifolds so did not know they were available.

This thread slack allowed the PTFE to be compressed when fitting thus giving rise to a slight weep. Tried using a lot of PTFE. This produced a very firm connection. However in the fitting process the joint must have been strained leading to a slight weep.

Over w/e no merchants available for loctite 55 or boss white plus hemp. So tried this.

Filed the end of the male thread (used my bench mounted disc sander bit by bit) so that when screwed together the male thread bottomed out in the female thread with the outlets aligned. Then PTFE tape did seal as there was now no movement between the two manifolds.

Had it been a work day would have used loctite 55. So thought that there was nothing to lose with this method.

so all good now.

 

[electron]

Thanks for the info