I have had 3 broken compression type ball valves over the past 6 months. All failures were at the threads above the compression nuts on the 1/2 inch copper supply lines. I have installed probably 75 compression type valves on finish plumbing over the past 15 years and no leaks until I began using the ball valves on my own home. I am aware of the danger of over-tightening. I normally tighten just enough to stop a drip and no more.
I am lucky I was home when these failures occurred. The second one actually snapped off at the threads leaving the nut and ferrule on the snub out while removing it.
Do you think I over-tightened them? Defective valve? Should I replace all 28 of them? They have only been used for 2 years.
Thanks for your opinions.
Replies
I hate compression valves. Even if they don't leak all the ones you see that were installed 5 or 10 years ago have mineral deposits on them from seapage.
That being said I think all valves have gotten a little cheaper in quality since moving overseas. I always buy a couple of steps up from the basic in order to ensure a decent product, although as you know they do look the same. DanT
Have not had the problem you describe and I also find myself using ball valves with compression fittings often enough (almost routine to get dry pipes quick to do mods / repairs).
Did you lube the threads with pipe dope (or some form of lube) before tightening them?
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
Never did. Would you recommend that I disassemble the existing ones and lube, or replace and lube?
Edited 5/14/2006 8:18 am ET by homedad
>>"Would you recommend that I disassemble the existing ones and lube, or replace and lube?
If I had one fail on me in service, I'd replace with brand name high quality valves and lube the threads as part of installation.
Don't disturb existing if you're not going to replace. Just asking for trouble, right?
If you had one fail, I would never go near whatever brand that was. As a caution to the rest of us, what brand were you using?
Gates is a good brand, IMHO. Apollo is also a popular brand, but I do't know how good they are. Nibco is mixed -- cheap and readily available but their castings seem to be hit or miss lately.
Others have recommendations?
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla
They were keeney. If I needed to replace the ones which are barely sticking out of the wall, would you use the existing nut and ferrule with a new valve, or cut the drywall and replace the snub-out after cutting the pipe behind the wall? luckily I wouldn't need to remove tile.
>>"They were keeney. If I needed to replace the ones which are barely sticking out of the wall, would you use the existing nut and ferrule with a new valve, or cut the drywall and replace the snub-out after cutting the pipe behind the wall? luckily I wouldn't need to remove tile.
You mentioned you had three fail but luckily you were home to minimize the water damage. Are you really asking if you should replace everything with a complete valve assembly of known good quality. ;-)
If you need a little "push" -- fixing some drywall now versus maybe fixing a house full of water a month from now . . . . Might seem like a pain and likely is overkill, but the thought of all that water . . . .
Just as a reflex and maybe a little superstition mixed in, I would have to replace them all unless I could come up with a plausable reason for the 3 failures that wasn't related to the quality of the valves (like did you use a sledgehammer to install them -- I don't think so). ;-)
Just my humble opinion, but that's how I'd honestly handle it.
You're reminding me of one rubber washer hose I had to use in a pinch in a place across town that I had better replace with a better quality one sooner rather than later. ;-)
"Let's get crack-a-lackin" --- Adam Carolla