I recently replaced a hose bib valve for my washing machine. Rather
then screw around with corroding stems and washers for the old one in
bad shape, I just installed a ball valve (quarter turn) bib. The whole
valve screws into a threaded elbow on the wall. I wrapped the threads 2
times with teflon tape and installed it.

The problem I had was that with the handle pointing up and the outlet
pointing down, it was just barely tight enough to require a wrench. I
attempted to tighten it more, but after just a 1/2 turn, it was
threatening to be overtightened. I backed off the 1/2 turn, but when I
turned on the water there was a tiny leak.

So what do you do when a valve needs to be installed so it is oriented
with the handle up, but it also needs to be tight? I ended up replacing
the teflon tape with more of it. (I think 3 1/2 times wrapped around)
and there were no leaks. But is that the right thing to do?

Thanks.

That is the most reasonable answer. If it doesn't leak, it doesn't
leak. Problem solved..

"Jay Steiner" wrote in message
...
I recently replaced a hose bib valve for my washing machine. Rather
then screw around with corroding stems and washers for the old one in
bad shape, I just installed a ball valve (quarter turn) bib. The whole
valve screws into a threaded elbow on the wall. I wrapped the threads 2
times with teflon tape and installed it.

The problem I had was that with the handle pointing up and the outlet
pointing down, it was just barely tight enough to require a wrench. I
attempted to tighten it more, but after just a 1/2 turn, it was
threatening to be overtightened. I backed off the 1/2 turn, but when I
turned on the water there was a tiny leak.

So what do you do when a valve needs to be installed so it is oriented
with the handle up, but it also needs to be tight? I ended up replacing
the teflon tape with more of it. (I think 3 1/2 times wrapped around)
and there were no leaks. But is that the right thing to do?


I had occasion to watch "pros" install some gas piping for a furnace.
They used pipe "dope" and really reefed on the connections to tighten
them - they really worked at it. Far tighter than I would have done
previously.

Bob

Jay Steiner wrote:
I recently replaced a hose bib valve for my washing machine. Rather
then screw around with corroding stems and washers for the old one in
bad shape, I just installed a ball valve (quarter turn) bib. The whole
valve screws into a threaded elbow on the wall. I wrapped the threads 2
times with teflon tape and installed it.

The problem I had was that with the handle pointing up and the outlet
pointing down, it was just barely tight enough to require a wrench. I
attempted to tighten it more, but after just a 1/2 turn, it was
threatening to be overtightened. I backed off the 1/2 turn, but when I
turned on the water there was a tiny leak.

So what do you do when a valve needs to be installed so it is oriented
with the handle up, but it also needs to be tight? I ended up replacing
the teflon tape with more of it. (I think 3 1/2 times wrapped around)
and there were no leaks. But is that the right thing to do?

Thanks.

Jay Steiner wrote:
I recently replaced a hose bib valve for my washing machine. Rather
then screw around with corroding stems and washers for the old one in
bad shape, I just installed a ball valve (quarter turn) bib. The whole
valve screws into a threaded elbow on the wall. I wrapped the threads 2
times with teflon tape and installed it.

The problem I had was that with the handle pointing up and the outlet
pointing down, it was just barely tight enough to require a wrench. I
attempted to tighten it more, but after just a 1/2 turn, it was
threatening to be overtightened. I backed off the 1/2 turn, but when I
turned on the water there was a tiny leak.

So what do you do when a valve needs to be installed so it is oriented
with the handle up, but it also needs to be tight? I ended up replacing
the teflon tape with more of it. (I think 3 1/2 times wrapped around)
and there were no leaks. But is that the right thing to do?

Thanks.

I use ~4 to 5 wraps & tighten until the handle is where I want it.

Never loosen to get the handle where you want it....nearly always
results in a leak.

More wraps given you more teflon to "mush" out of the way, so you have
more turns passed "tight" to work with.

cheers
Bob