Plumbing question. I'm not Mr Handyman, but I'm not helpless, either,
so please bear with me.

I have a very old house. All the plumbing is 1/2" galvanized lead
pipe. I'm replacing a sink in the garage. The valves under the sink
are brass, outdoor type. The lead pipe comes out of the wall, then the
brass valve, then another short piece of lead pipe, then the flex hose
to the sink faucet. I've done this type of thing many times before,
but this time the pipe coming out of the valve just will not seal.
I've replaced the valve itself. I've tried different pieces of short
pipe. I've cleaned the threads. It just will not seal. I'm using
gray pipe thread compound with the brush, but it's a few years old and
has separated. I can stir it together, but I'm wondering if that may
be why it's not sealing. The cold water side and the rest of the hot
water side has sealed fine.

Should I go for an indoor-type valve? Should I get new thread
compound? Is there a better type of compound or sealer that I should
try? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks.

The Dave© wrote:

Plumbing question. I'm not Mr Handyman, but I'm not helpless, either,
so please bear with me.

I have a very old house. All the plumbing is 1/2" galvanized lead
pipe. I'm replacing a sink in the garage. The valves under the sink
are brass, outdoor type. The lead pipe comes out of the wall, then
the brass valve, then another short piece of lead pipe, then the flex
hose to the sink faucet. I've done this type of thing many times
before, but this time the pipe coming out of the valve just will not
seal. I've replaced the valve itself. I've tried different pieces
of short pipe. I've cleaned the threads. It just will not seal.
I'm using gray pipe thread compound with the brush, but it's a few
years old and has separated. I can stir it together, but I'm
wondering if that may be why it's not sealing. The cold water side
and the rest of the hot water side has sealed fine.

Should I go for an indoor-type valve? Should I get new thread
compound? Is there a better type of compound or sealer that I should
try? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Correction. Probably not lead pipe, but it is 1/2" galvanized.


--
What's all this fuss I hear about making Puerto Rico a steak? Let me
warn all of you: if you make Puerto Rico a steak, the next thing
they'll want is a baked potato - with sour cream and chives, and little
bacon bits. And then they'll probably want a salad bar! Why, they'll
be lined up for miles!!! ~ Emily Litella

The Dave© wrote:
The Dave© wrote:


Plumbing question. I'm not Mr Handyman, but I'm not helpless, either,
so please bear with me.

I have a very old house. All the plumbing is 1/2" galvanized lead
pipe. I'm replacing a sink in the garage. The valves under the sink
are brass, outdoor type. The lead pipe comes out of the wall, then
the brass valve, then another short piece of lead pipe, then the flex
hose to the sink faucet. I've done this type of thing many times
before, but this time the pipe coming out of the valve just will not
seal. I've replaced the valve itself. I've tried different pieces
of short pipe. I've cleaned the threads. It just will not seal.
I'm using gray pipe thread compound with the brush, but it's a few
years old and has separated. I can stir it together, but I'm
wondering if that may be why it's not sealing. The cold water side
and the rest of the hot water side has sealed fine.

Should I go for an indoor-type valve? Should I get new thread
compound? Is there a better type of compound or sealer that I should
try? Any thoughts would be most appreciated. Thanks.


Correction. Probably not lead pipe, but it is 1/2" galvanized.


Correct. Galv iron.

Throw out the can of old dope.
Buy a roll of Teflon tape for pipe seal.

Jim

Your supposed to mix the thread sealant right before use.

wrote:

Your supposed to mix the thread sealant right before use.

I did, but it doesn't want to mix very well. I assumed that was maybe
because it was old. When it was a new bottle it mixed fine.