Stainless steel pipes.

[Mark]

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.

[The Natural Philosopher]

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.

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.

[Tim Jenkins]

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.

[Dave Plowman]

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.

[Biscuit]

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

[Niall]

PTFE tape is easier to work with and very effective.