Roy B

[RoyB]

Help!! I HATE plumbing jobs as they usally turn out with floods or having to call in an expert. However "never give up" is my motto. This time I have a heavily dripping drip from the tap in my garage - actually not actually from the tap but from the big (rusty old) nut next to it where the pipe reaches the tap unit. Is there a washer there? Before I turn the water off and try to attack the nut I thought I'd better try and get some advice. Thanks.

 

[dontknowitall]

Sounds like it might have frozen and swollen with ice and has now thawed out.

Best thing to do is turn the water off.

Then undo the nut and examine. You will probably have to replace a piece of pipe then reconnect.

Easy for a plumber and if you have the water turned off, not too difficult if you're willing to try to do it on your own.

The pipe is going into the nut. Inside the nut is an olive. When the nut is tightened against the tap, the olive forms itself around the pipe and makes a waterproof joint. To make things slightly easier you can wrap PTFE tape around the olive as well.

If pipe is swollen you'll have to replace a section of it. You can use a compression coupler if this makes things easier for you. I would suggest you don't use plastic or you will get problems if it freezes again.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

If it has failed due to freezing think along the lines of stopping it from happening next year aswell As i'm sure you wont want to do this on an annual basis

 

[rod scarth]

I would suggest you don't use plastic or you will get problems if it freezes again.

I usually recommend using plastic as it expands and doesnt split, never had to remember to turn off my outside tap in 6 years, even in this recent cold spell it froze solid, just waited for it to thaw and was as good as the day I installed it

 

[RoyB]

Thanks for all the help - I'm investigating!

 

[dontknowitall]

"I usually recommend using plastic as it expands and doesnt split"

I went to a job last week where this had happened to plastic!!

;-)

 

[rod scarth]

"I usually recommend using plastic as it expands and doesnt split"

I went to a job last week where this had happened to plastic!!

;-)

less chance of splitting though

 

[dontknowitall]

Are we into splitting hairs now?

Hehe!!

 

[rod scarth]

Are we into splitting hairs now?

Hehe!!

from laboritoir garnier, cus you're worth it