True union ball valves

[Hallowhead]

Anyone have an experience with these leaking on new installs and have tips to fix?

I bought 4 from supply house instead of the cheap home Depot ones. Glued them all in place tightened the crap out of them with a large wrench and they leaked at the threads. Tightened them further and they continued to leak.

Removed the valve and cleaned the gaskets and seats and cranked them back down and they continued to leak.

Got supply house to send 4 replacements but nervous they'll leak too

 

[horseplay]

Did you try grease the o ring?

 

[Hallowhead]

Did you try grease the o ring?

I was nervous on what type of grease to use

 

[horseplay]

I have silicone grease for my dive equipment from dive shop. I remember someone said Vaseline works too. Google should not be hard to find

 

[Hallowhead]

I have silicone grease for my dive equipment from dive shop. I remember someone said Vaseline works too. Google should not be hard to find

Vaseline contains petroleum and should NOT be used in reef tanks.

I will grab a tube of this stuff tonight ahead of replacements tomorrow.

DANCO 0.5 oz. Silicone Faucet Grease 88693 - The Home Depot

The Danco Waterproof Silicone Sealant Grease is ideal for lubricating faucet stems, valves and cartridges when repairing a leaky faucet. Silicone Faucet Grease helps reduce friction provides long-lasting

www.homedepot.com

Thanks!

 

[Yates273]

food-grade vegetable glycerin. This is what I use on my Mp10 shafts to lube them after I clean them. No issues and can be picked up at Michaels by their bakery items.

 

[Goodair]

Can u take a pic of the gaskets? They should be fine with just hand tightening.

 

[Hallowhead]

Can u take a pic of the gaskets? They should be fine with just hand tightening.

Absolutely when I get home tonight

 

[redfishbluefish]

Agree, hand tightening should be enough.

Definitely NOT vaseline.

From HD, plumber's grease as long as it's silicone based. I personally use Leslie's Pool Lube....one tube is a lifetime supply.

 

[Hallowhead]

Agree, hand tightening should be enough.

Definitely NOT vaseline.

From HD, plumber's grease as long as it's silicone based. I personally use Leslie's Pool Lube....one tube is a lifetime supply.View attachment 42004

See I am starting to think I overtightened them and potentially destroyed the o-ring. I will try plumbers's grease ahead of the new valves.

 

[mikem]

Also put Teflon tape about 4 wraps on the threads.

 

[Hallowhead]

Also put Teflon tape about 4 wraps on the threads.

On unions ? I've never heard this either

 

[mikem]

Any plumbing threads should be tapped.

 

[Yates273]

I heard Teflon on pvc pipe thread a no no because you can actually over tighten and crack the pvc

 

[Hallowhead]

So I used silicone plumbers grease.. they didn't leak for a whole 5 seconds and than poured out.

I realized that the PVC wasn't sitting perfect and figured this has to be it.... Made sure everything sat perfect - re did all my pipe clamps and applied MORE grease. Still leaked. At this point I have had to have crushed the o ring when I initially cranked them down. Hoping tomorrow is better news with the new ones.

Here is a photo

 

[Goodair]

You could replace just the o-rings and see if that works.
The first time you connected it, did you force it closed or did it screw in without resistance?

 

[Hallowhead]

You could replace just the o-rings and see if that works.
The first time you connected it, did you force it closed or did it screw in without resistance?

Hand right and than a wrench

 

[redfishbluefish]

Now seeing this picture, here's my guess....your O-rings are just fine. I think your mating surfaces of the union aren't sitting flush. The reason is all that rigid pipe AND what appears to be a metal strap/clamp just below the valve. This clamp could be torquing the alignment of the union joints.

Is just one side leaking? If so, undo both sides and first install the leaking side first. Then do the other side. The idea here is that if there isn't perfect seating of the two faces, by tightening the leaking side first, this side will now be aligned. That said, what you might find is that now the other side is leaking.

If you still think the O-Rings are shot, simply buy new O-rings.

 

[Hallowhead]

Now seeing this picture, here's my guess....your O-rings are just fine. I think your mating surfaces of the union aren't sitting flush. The reason is all that rigid pipe AND what appears to be a metal strap/clamp just below the valve. This clamp could be torquing the alignment of the union joints.

Is just one side leaking? If so, undo both sides and first install the leaking side first. Then do the other side. The idea here is that if there isn't perfect seating of the two faces, by tightening the leaking side first, this side will now be aligned. That said, what you might find is that now the other side is leaking.

If you still think the O-Rings are shot, simply buy new O-rings.

Have new o rings tomorrow. I do think it is playing into it. I removed all clamps and it definitely leaked less. Which makes me think new o rings and grease will be golden

 

[redfishbluefish]

Just curious, was the glue up of the plumbing done with the valve all screwed together as one piece?