Rookie Mistake Tightening a Fitting

EricPeterson

Q: can I distort a malleable black iron fitting by tightening with a wrench on one side without a pipe in it

A: Yes, you can distort or crush a malleable black iron fitting if you clamp a heavy wrench tightly onto one side of an unsupported or hollow fitting without a pipe threaded into it.

In a tight spot, I got lazy, then could not figure out why there was a leak on that side after I put in the next section.

Funny thing is, the pipe threaded in fine. After pressurizing there was a slow drip. I tightened it a bit and the drip got worse! That's when I figured I had messed up.

Doh!

Eric Peterson

Mad Dog_2

That's why we keep all different sized pipe plugs on hand when putting in screw pipe so we don't egg fittings...especially Brass. Screw em in hand tight until joint is fully engaged.

S—happens...like dropping a brand new 2" Copper elbow and egging the socket...Gorton #2 on the basement floor...no fixing that! Mad Dog

Big Ed_4

"Any doubt , throw it out " … its never worth the chance of failure….