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So I've successfully drained the system and removed the radiators, inc tightening the bleed screws back up.
I've left the valves on the rads.
So do I use fresh olives? Always ptfe? How much ptfe?
Any help much appreciated unless it's green or kalamata....
Cheers Jason
So do I use fresh olives?how do you get the old ones off?
Always ptfe? How much ptfe?
never mind that, which way do you wind it?????? AARRRGGGHHH!
cold this time of year too....
Ptfe around the olives, not the threads.
Biggest issue I always have is lining new rads up with old pipes - often easier to trim pipe and fit new section once rad on wall to get it all lined up correctly
Ignorant question here, why PTFE? I've always used jointing compound on compression joints and now wondering if I've done it wrong.
lets talk ball cocks..
assuming that you ve removed the rads and valves intact you ll have two bare pipes with an olive and nut sticking out the floor. if your reusing the original valves just connect it all back up again PTFE is not req. on olives EVER NEVER..
dont even use jointing compound (boss white) on olives they close with a compression fit and are air and water tight..
Rubber buccaneer, that answers my other question. There was no sign of ptfe but appeared to be some kind of goo round the olive..
you don't need ptfe anywhere on compression fittings, or jointing compound, the olive does the sealing for you. if your pipe work is straight it won't leak. ptfe is for thread to thread joints, the only place you need to use it on rads is to put the tails in
My plumber said ptfe on the olives.
Mind you he'd seen my work.
I would agree with what has been said about ptfe, sealing has already been done by the olive. Yes you will need new olives
Total shell, that's right and I've bagged them up to protect them from the plasterer!
So no goo or ptfe but divided opinion in new or re-use!
Without an olive splitter you might find it a bit tricky to get the old one off without making a mess of the pipe tail. So Id suggest reusing the existing one as long as you dont disturb it all too much.
And as the ol'pro up there confirms what I was taught in class this year - no need for anything on compression fittings, that's what the olives for. PTFT only on thread fittings.
My plumber said ptfe on the olives.
He's wrong.
New plumber ?
I've re used olives without problems.
I was taught in class this year
Off topic, how is the class going? Any luck finding someone to labour for?
Still got another two terms to do before I line up some portfolio work. But there's already a few mate sin the pub who have said I can work with them so it wont be a problem. I'll be able to pitch it to the right guy when I know what the NVQ2 portfolio of work looks like.
Just rattling though some exams this year. Ive completed all the practical stuff already. Bit too easy really. But I kind of knew that would happen, but I need to take all the steps to get the tickets I need.
Sounds like a similar experience I had (but it was electrics for me). Practical and theory were both pretty easy but still learnt a some good tips so it was not a waste. The tough bit is getting someone to take you on (I've given up on that front) if you've got that sorted you should be made. Good luck.
Ok, old olive it is.
Next question, how tight? Just nipped up? Nipped up plus a quarter turn? With 4 off I can't watch them all as I refill and flood the house 🙂
My mind-torque wrench reads pretty tight.
If any do leak, they'll be dribbles only, so plenty time to tighten.
TB - Im in the very enviable position that I dont need get paid for my "apprenticing" so Im a bit more "attractive". But mostly I'll be using mates who know me and my work so are happy to let me drop in on jobs to get ticks and pics done.
Next question, how tight? Just nipped up? Nipped up plus a quarter turn? With 4 off I can't watch them all as I refill and flood the house
It's hard to describe as it more of a "feel" sort of thing.
But as above, providing you don't leave them finger tight, you will only get a drip so plenty of time to sort it.
I took note of the fact that they didn't seem over tight.
You are reusing the old olive, so you won't need to go too tight as you are not needing to form the olive onto the pipe like you would with a complete new fitting.
Thanks folks, great advice as usual. Looking forward to my new found confidence to come crashing down once the renovations have finished 😉