The tale of two nipples...
 

Ok. Now, get your head out of gutter.

Two shower valves (the same model).
Two brass nipples (the same model).

Both turned the same number of times... both connecting the same fitting, etc.

The only variable is the pipe thread sealant (teflon paste). (I may have put too little(?) or too much(?) on one or the other)

One leaks, from both ends of nipple. One doesn't leak at all.

Should I be concerned about the non-leaker leaking down the road?

Thanks for the help,

Pete

My vote is for too little tape on the leaker. As for the non leaking one: If it aint broke, don't fix it.

Larry...

For 20 years I was always told to use Teflon tape. Well, being a bit stubborn at times, I decided to try, JUST ONCE, on this job, the use of this teflon-infused joint compound... anyway. Never again.

So your guess is that I didn't use enough of the joint compound on the leaker?

Don't discount a threading/tapping/seating irregularity that may require one nipple to be turned slightly more than the other.

I've cross-posted this to the Penthouse forum.

Well....either way, you're going to have to take it apart again. This time, go with what you know works - teflon tape. ;)

teflon tape is NOT a sealer.use pipe dope.

catmandoo... with all due respect. I will *never* use dope again. Teflon tape. I know it is an age-old debate. But I will *never* stray from my Teflon.

larry... what do ya mean? take it apart again? the leaker, I fixed by replacing the nipple and using tape. all is well with that one now. the other one is the one that I'm worried about. that is the one that still has the joint compound. the problem is she isn't leaking... so, like you said, I'm wondering if I should leave it be.(?)

Yeah...pipe dope! :smoking: Will solve your licking problem on those nipples! :freak:

i like the dope too.

one plumber i know uses dope plus teflon tape.

tom w

I misread - (or maybe I read right and thought wrong) - anyway... That's a good question - How much do you trust this compound (?) I would leave it alone, but would certainly check up on it periodically for a while (maybe a month), and then again in several months.
If it is in a PITA area, then re-tape it - this way you will sleep. ;)

Nipples and dope-use?!
 

What's this forum coming to anyhow? Boy was I disappointed! :mad: Okay, where's that pretty girls thread? Where's Mistress Heather? . . .

I deal with nipples all day long...

I've always been told (by many plumbers in fact), that pipe dope is to designed to be used on air appl;ications (threaded gas line, etc.), and tape to be used in water applications. I have never had a pipe leak after doing work to it. I think teflon in cheaper, too.

natural habitat
 

The gutter is my head's natural habitat. It would die if I attempted to move it somewhere else.:D

I tried pipe weed once but everything was leaking after that, even stuff I haddn't touched. I use the teflon paste when I can find it more as a lube than a sealer... If it doesn't seal good naked, then it's a questionable nipple from the get go...