My friend has got a leak in a 3-way compression joint on a stainless
steel pipe.

The joint is for the hot-water pipe to the bath.
It is a 'reducer' type - large diameter pipe in, large diameter pipe
to the tap and smaller diameter pipe out.

I'd like to replace this joint - or at least the washers.

I have 2 questions :-

1) Is fitting a compression joint to stainless steel pipes any more
difficult than fitting one to copper pipes?

2) Given that these pipes are ~30 years old, will the pipe diameters
be 15mm & 22mm or 1/2" and 3/4"?

Thanks,
Mark.

Mark wrote:

My friend has got a leak in a 3-way compression joint on a stainless
steel pipe.

The joint is for the hot-water pipe to the bath.
It is a 'reducer' type - large diameter pipe in, large diameter pipe
to the tap and smaller diameter pipe out.

I'd like to replace this joint - or at least the washers.

I have 2 questions :-

1) Is fitting a compression joint to stainless steel pipes any more
difficult than fitting one to copper pipes?


Yes, very much so. The pipes do not 'waist' like copper ones do. A smear
of favourite goo will help, and possibly copper rather tha brass olives
if you can find them - far more malleable.



2) Given that these pipes are ~30 years old, will the pipe diameters
be 15mm & 22mm or 1/2" and 3/4"?


No idea - sorry.

I would NOT replace the joint frankly. If you can drain it down, I'd
disassemble it and dry as much as possible, and reassemble using some goo.

If the pipes have deformed, you will find it hard to get the old olives
off, and even harder to get a decent seal with new ones.



Thanks,
Mark.

"Mark" wrote in message
om...
My friend has got a leak in a 3-way compression joint on a stainless
steel pipe.

The joint is for the hot-water pipe to the bath.
It is a 'reducer' type - large diameter pipe in, large diameter pipe
to the tap and smaller diameter pipe out.

I'd like to replace this joint - or at least the washers.

I have 2 questions :-

1) Is fitting a compression joint to stainless steel pipes any more
difficult than fitting one to copper pipes?

2) Given that these pipes are ~30 years old, will the pipe diameters
be 15mm & 22mm or 1/2" and 3/4"?

Thanks,
Mark.

Hi,

I don't know if this helps, but our house is about 30 yrs old too, and
plumbed enitrely out of Stainless Steel. I found ours to be Imperial.

The 1/2" and 15mm fittings worked inter-changeably without any problems.
The 3/4" and 22mm stuff was a little more tricky - needed a bit of filing to
get the olive and fittings on - but it worked OK.

I had to use compression fittings everywhere when I replaced the Radiators -
did a bit of research soldering Copper to Stainless Steel and thought
better of it !

Didnt have any problems with compressions fittings, I tightened them up
until they let out sort of a high-pitched squeeking noise, then stopped.

Cheers,
Tim.

In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
Yes, very much so. The pipes do not 'waist' like copper ones do. A smear
of favourite goo will help, and possibly copper rather tha brass olives
if you can find them - far more malleable.

FWIW, I'm impressed with the 'new' Fernox jointing compound - it's a sort
of silicone. I replaced a load of TRVs recently where I had to remove the
old (different) olives and use new, so the pipe was anything but pristine.
And not a single leak.

--
*Why are a wise man and a wise guy opposites?

Dave Plowman London SW 12
RIP Acorn

Contact a commercial pipe hydraulic supplier like Hydrasun or BBS.
They will be able to supply imperial size stainless olives or a new joint.


"Mark" wrote in message
om...
My friend has got a leak in a 3-way compression joint on a stainless
steel pipe.

The joint is for the hot-water pipe to the bath.
It is a 'reducer' type - large diameter pipe in, large diameter pipe
to the tap and smaller diameter pipe out.

I'd like to replace this joint - or at least the washers.

I have 2 questions :-

1) Is fitting a compression joint to stainless steel pipes any more
difficult than fitting one to copper pipes?

2) Given that these pipes are ~30 years old, will the pipe diameters
be 15mm & 22mm or 1/2" and 3/4"?

Thanks,
Mark.

On Fri, 19 Dec 2003 13:50:22 +0000, The Natural Philosopher
wrote:



I would NOT replace the joint frankly. If you can drain it down, I'd
disassemble it and dry as much as possible, and reassemble using some goo.


PTFE tape is easier to work with and very effective.

--
Niall