I just gave myself a plumbing leak.

I removed the water-softener from my plumbing system. It was plumbed in right after the (indoor) water-meter with plastic hoses and couplings. It looked simple enough and it looked like I would have enough parts from the softener to connect both hoses back together. I was left with two plastic threaded pipe ends (on the ends of semi flexible hoses) facing each other about two inches apart. After a quick trip to the hardware store I found a valve (like I need another one in this plumbing run) just the right size and threading. It fit together perfectly. I tightened it up as much as I dared. It leaks like a sieve! I am reduced to turning the water on when I need to use it and off when I’m done. I feel like Scotty: "Captain, she cannot take much more air hammer, she’ll fly apart. I guess I need some pipe compound or something. I guess I’m screwed. Oh well, carry on!

Did you use thread tape?

IANAPlumber, but did you install some of those fancy rubber o-rings in the joint? How about some of that white tape stuff? Granted, I’ve only done work on copper/other metals, so my knowledge of PVC is somewhat lacking. YMMV
For the record, this is the first time I have used a “fancy” link. Go me.

if it’s PVC you’d better glue it. Otherwise, thread tape that bad boy. Plumbing is sadly, a craft often learned by necessity. I have learned how to replace a sink, water heater, garbage disposal, toilet and vanity plumbing. By necessity. Seek ye a one with a clue at your small neighborhood hardware store and listen to their sage advice and ye shall be visited with leaks no more.

Whatever you do, please avoid using any of the liquid Teflon compounds that attempt to replace thread tape. You will be tasting it for years and it is nearly impossible to clean up.

Hrm.

Thought this was an olestra thread.

Carry on.

Thanks for the advice. This is the third time I tried to reply and got an error so…just…Thanks!

Hmm. Apparently I have my own plumbing leak that causes coffee to shoot from my nose. Any suggestions on how to repair this?

Thank you greatly, Jenaroph, for that was the first time I’ve ever caused a dirty monitor/keyboard by making someone shoot something out their nose/mouth.

… four years, about time…

Better than the time my dad was putting up paneling in the bathroom and drove one of the teeny little nails through the water supply pipe, then tried to fill the hole with solder, which would’ve worked great if there was any way to drain the pipe. As it was, he’d heat it up a bit, and steam would spray out into his face. Repeat until all the water’s boiled out of the pipe. Kinda funny, to watch. :smiley: