Leak at where threads go into fitting how to stop without taking fitting apart

morevintage

I am unable to take pipes apart so I am unable to stop the leak by rethreading . Is there another way to stop the leak?

Long Beach Ed

What is the pipe carrying, how big is it and what is the pressure inside? You may have options. Why can't the joint be disassembled?

morevintage

It is a steam radiator one pipe system. The joint can't be disassembled because of rust and space

Jamie Hall

And exactly where is it leaking? It may not be a threaded fitting -- it may be the union. Fixing the two is completely different.

Long Beach Ed

Normally the leaking portion is cut out, the remaining ends are threaded and the leaking joint replaced with a union.

Is it a return pipe with just condensate in it or a steam-carrying pipe? A return pipe can often be sealed with a plaster or Fiberglas cast, similar to a cast for a broken bone. This isn't always successful and would be less likely to succeed on a steam carrying pipe.

I've seen steam fitting connections ground clean of rust with a rotary wire brush, dried with alcohol and temporarily sealed with a bead of high temperature plumbers' silicone.

The potential for success is questionable, but you may want to try one of these methods. If access is limited, as it would be under a radiator, the chance of applying a patch successfully is slim.

morevintage

Leak is at thread going into the fitting . It carries both steam and return water.

ratio

https://cleanfit.com/blue-monster-compression-seal-tape.shtml

This'll get you until summer if you can get it stretched around the leak a few time. It'll last a season or two, as well.

I've repaired pinholes in pipes with 50% silver solder, as well. That's a more permanent solution, might not be appropriate for a joint.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, One trick I've used for similar leaks, (as a temporary patch) is to clean the area well, smear it with silicon seal, take mop string and fill it with silicon. Do this by putting a gob of silicon in one gloved hand and pulling the mop string through your fingers to fully impregnate the string with silicon. Now wrap the gooey string around the leaky joint. You can cover this with electrical tape for fun. Wait for it to set and you're good. It works for relatively low pressure leaks, which is what you have.

Yours, Larry

Ironman

Pics would help.

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

My son had a propane gas leak under his house. Twenty-four inch crawlspace and the pipes were fitting-to-fitting. He cleaned the pipes and applied a thick bead of epoxy around the pipe and fitting, feathering the edges with a wet finger. It's still holding.

The work was done with the gas off, of course.

Mad Dog_2

Great trick Larry.  Hey you guys ever see the hemp they use in Germany on thread connections?   I have a picture somewhere.. all the joints have big hairy dreadlocks hanging off the...it looks crazy. Mad 🐕 Dog