Replacing hose bib - How tight is tight?

[Jay Steiner]

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.

[professorpaul]

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

[Bob F]

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

[BobK207]

[BobK207]

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