URGENT!! URGENT!! This nut has fractured causing a severe water leek to my downstairs toilet via the ceiling..

Question

how easy are these nuts to replace?? will there be enough give in the pipe?? what size is it, its possibly a hot water feed to the upstairs bathroom??

Here are the pictures...

http://area102.piczo.com/?g=45293200&cr=4

Answer 1

Basically - listen to Stamper.

However, I would question the reason the joint has started to leak.....

Are you sure it is the white Speed-fit T-piece that is leaking?

I'd suggest you check the rather green looking straight copper connectors just to the right.

If it is definitely the Speed-fit that is leaking, have they been recently installed? The two off-cuts of copper lying just below are different sizes...... has one of the pipes been cut slightly too short? If so, you won't get a decent seal into the Speed-fit, so a simple replacement may not cure the problem  

Answer 2

My guess is that obviously you did shut off the water!

My guess is that your copper pipe is either flared or you have a compression washer(s) to seal that joint.  It looks awkward but doable.  If it were me, I would have had a sweated copper adapters on both ends of the copper pipe instead of compression or flared fittings, and I would have glued my pcv piping to those sweated adapter/adapter assemblies, making a more solid fit not dependent on tightenning nuts to do that.  I don't like compression and or flared fittings in areas that are hidden/less accessible.

I am sure if you take your fittings into a local hardware store or Home Depot or Lowes, they will have something that works.   If you don't have the skills to sweat copper joints, just use what they give you.  

How did the nut fracture?  Was it overtightenned because it was leaking?  Is there a crack or defect in the wall of the copper pipe or misalignment in those pipes that is not allowing their proper sealing when the nut is tightenned which make you go back and try to tighten?   Is there a defective compression washer in the fitup?

I would be interested in how the nut got fractured in the first place?  Replacing original parts may not solve the complete problem!

Answer 3

Easy.

Trace back to the isolation valve, cut off the supply, get a container / bucket under the fitting, loosen the fitting to allow water to drain out.  Once drained remove (there will be plenty of movement in the adjoining pipes) the fitting and have a good look at it...find out why its leaking - has it been distrubed recently?

You could then take the fitting down to B&Q and replace it or it may just need some PTFE tape and tightening up

Good luck

Answer 4

You need to turn the water off first. The picture shows a 15mm push-fit tee piece. Take it off and buy a new one. Just simply push it onto the ends of the pipe, nothing else needed.

Answer 5

Based on your picture, you are going to have to find the main water cuttoff. Mine is in the meter box in front of the house.

Next - open the spigots to drain water out of your system.

Remove the entire fitting and take to a hardware store to buy a replacement.  I don't think you are going to be able to find a nut.  

If it were me, I would dip the new fitting in a bleach solution before I installed.  

Answer 6

To the first post PTFE tape is not suitable for plastic speed fit fittings. Simply turn off the water supply ( stop tap generally located under the kitchen sink ). Turn taps on to drain excess pipe water.

Hold the centre of the fitting and undo the fitting and at the edge of the 3 points of the tee (fitting) you will be able to gentle push it down and slide the fitting away from the pipe.

Replacing it is simple and doesn't require a plumber, get your new fitting and make sure that the 3 points of the outside of the fitting are secure and tight and just simply push it onto the pipe where the old one was (you will feel it click into place) Once all 3 points are clicked thats it, you are ready to turn the water back on.

*edit*

In response to the below comment.

They are not compression fittings, they are speed fit plastic pushfit, compression requires a spanner to be tightened.

Also the size is 15mm. not 25. (15, 22, 28 are standard diameters.)

Answer 7

These are compression fittings that simply unscrew pull off and can be replaced with a replacement new fitting.

Easy job for a handy person but access may be difficult - dont fall through the ceiling !

The pipes will give ok to allow you to replace the fitting but may need a bit of care not to force anything as you may disturb another fitting if you are too rough.

Not sure about size but looks like 25 mm to me.

Answer 8

Do as stamper says but check that the copper pipes are burr free, IE no sharp edges as these will tear the O ring in the fitting. This is often is the cause of leaks on these fittings like you have now.

Answer 9

well looking at your pictures I would take the PVC pipe out and replace with all copper, I know it costs more but if those fitting were sweated together there would be less a chance of them leaking again. or you can change all the copper over to PVC, Myself I would get rid of the plastic.

www.frankawitz.net

Answer 10

Easier to change the complete fitting. If you can, turn off the water or isolate this bit, remove it and take it to your nearest plumbers merchant for a match..... erm, being a Sunday you may well end up in B&Q in which case I'd go to Wicks.

The fittings (plastic to copper) are pretty common these days.

Found these on the B&Q website. I think you'll be looking for a 15mm tee

Answer 11

hi there, according to your pic the speedfit tee is leaking, one of the most common faults is that the metal insert has not been used. Check this first and then follow the instructions as detailed on here. email if you need help

Answer 12

dont worry they are only push fit fittings and are extremelly easy to fit,

there are two ways you can sort it,

either shut off the water and drain down then replace fittings,

or when you buy the new push fittings also buy some freeze spray and freeze both pipes then replace fittings.