Compression Fittings - compound or not?

[anonymous-user]

Hi Chaps,

I'll be doing some plumbing later this weekend (my least favourite bit of DIY!). which will call for some 22mm compression fittings onto copper pipe.

There seems to be some debate whether additional jointing compound should be added 'just to make sure it doesn't leak'. The pipes to be joined will all be new and wire-wooled, and the fittings are also new.

I don't have any jointing compound, so will a drive to the plumbers' merchant be required?

[DuraAce]

I've never used any. Make sure all your pipe is clean and smooth, use new olives. Never had a leak.

[Ashtray83]

I always use jointing compound makes the joints nice and smooth to do up with added leak prevention some don't thought
My personal favourite is jet-lube v2 plus

[anonymous-user]

Well that's 1-1 .... going into extra time

[thebraketester]

Is soldering them out of the question?

[Spudler]

Ashtray83 said:

I always use jointing compound makes the joints nice and smooth to do up with added leak prevention some don't thought
plus

Same as.

Both plumbers we use also do.

No harm so just do it.

[dmitsi]

If I use compression fittings I nip the joint together to position the olive, then wrap ptfe around the olive before refitting. Works a treat and nice and clean.

[Slashmb]

Without fail, I use jointing compound on all compression fittings. On a good day it could be 50 or 60 fittings. It's demoralising when you fill up a system and there's a leak on a comp fitting that a colleague has done without jointing compound on it.

[anonymous-user]

thebraketester said:

Is soldering them out of the question?

I'm afraid so - the fittings are on some valves

For threaded pipe fittings I've used Loctite 577 with 100% success, but I've never really been confident with compression fittings. In the past, I haven't used jointing compound. Seems like the subject is divided into 'purist' and 'practical' camps - and I have sympathy with both!

[Alucidnation]

Yep, i always use jointing compound around the olive and fitting.

Pulls them in nicely.

No need for ptfe at all.

[Busterbulldog]

I always put 3 or 4 wraps of ptfe tape over the olive...not totally necessary but it does improve the joint. Do not put any on the threads that's the usual mistake.

[Sheepshanks]

Ashtray83 said:

My personal favourite is jet-lube v2 plus

Is that the same sort of thing as Fernox LS-X? For occasional DIY use LS-X is a pain as once opened the tube goes off. Wasn't long ago Screwfix sold it for £3 but it's double that now.

[Ashtray83]

No mate fernox ls-x is a quick drying silicone sealer and will go off once open this is not for putting on compression fittings the jet lube is a ptfe based thread sealant that doesn't really go off so to speak my current pot is probably 5 years old and is still fine to use

[Busterbulldog]

Fern ox lsx is best suited to O rings definitely not compression fittings.

[anonymous-user]

Ok, I've been out to get some 'lube'

I'll update on the leak status soon!

[bimsb6]

thebraketester said:

Is soldering them out of the question?

You don't normally solder compression fittings

[thebraketester]

There is always one. #rolleyes

[jas xjr]

why should i avoid ptfe tape ? i tend not to use jointing compound as i manage to gwet it everywhere. genuine question

[Ashtray83]

You can use ptfe tape instead of the paste if you like it's better than nothing but quite often the fittings are quite tight to walls etc and it can be awkward wrapping the tape round compared to a bit of paste on the end of your finger

[anonymous-user]

Thanks Guys - we have a leak-free zone

The CH system now works a bit better not having an automatic bypass valve letting through when it shouldn't