2 1/2 threaded leak

J.C.A._3

2 1/2" is still popular with the "sprinkler sector" in this area ( Northeast/New England). I can and do have access to a virtual potpori of fittings, RE: they ARE still made!

I too like the Rector Seal, but tend to stick with High Density Teflon tape when working on most everything now.The stuff that the salesrooms sell were becoming something short of expectation....DAILY, so I started using the pink or yellow stuff. (Milrose "3 Wrap" is the one I find the best).

Hemp is also a good choice, but I like to hand wrap it with some dope when I'm finished tightening it. It kind of resembles a birdsnest if left in its natural state. Chris

Adam_15

What would be the best pipe dope for a 2 1/2" threaded leak on a coil ?.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

In my limited experience with larger pipe (say 2 1/2" or larger) setting-type dope like Rector Seal seems to work better than non-setting dope.

Have heard first wrapping with lampwick or hemp recommended here as well as the dope. I really don't know what "lampwick" is. Asked for it once and got "the stare". Oakum (used for packing lead DWV joints prior to adding the lead) is (I think) still made from hemp but it has some resins added as well. Not sure if such would be OK with other applications.

"New age" plant shops often stock hemp twine and it's quite easy to uncoil into individual fibers.

Adam_15

Thanks , I have heard using gauze bandage works , just wondering what the best pipe dope for this application . It is a large commercial job with several [20 ]large coils , they cheaped out and went with the threaded ends instead of victaulic . About half are leaking , the installer used gasola and teflon tape . 2 1/2 is a wierd size for threaded fittings , hit and miss most of the time , everything else is welded and OK . Just another annoyance when your trying to close out a job .

Brad White_9

Maybe \"the stare\"

was from the counter help finding other uses for New Age Hemp Products... This is often followed by binge eating of Chinese food.... Did they take offense when you mentioned you wanted some of their dope?

Just a thought

Mike T., Swampeast MO

The old guy wasn't working that day--maybe they still have some lampwick in the basement. I know they've found some unsual and really old black iron fittings for me down there...

Interestingly I found that the basement windows in my 1903 home had been weatherized with oakum. Still intact and still doing its' job in about 2000 so I didn't replace--just re-packed with some new after my intrusion.

jim lockard

Thinking

The counter guy may have thought you wanted "A pipe and some dope" J.Lockard

oil-2-4-6-gas

are you talking about a Lindy or Atlas --commercial domestic coil?? or heat exchanger -water to water steam to water?? what kind of coil

Kniggit

have used Megalock with good resuslts, the Hodes Co. in Kansas City still lists Candle Wicking in the catalog. But in my short 10 years we have never used it, I know in "high vibration" instanced the blue alcohol based rector seal (true blue?) works well but I hope you never need to take it back out.

bob young

a bit messy but........

lampwick & permatex. proper man-sized wrenches [ two foot & three foots ] no leaks. case closed.

soot_seeker_2

P.S.

Just in case you don't know...

Don't use Chinese pipe. If it's stamped "Pusan Pipe Company" it's probably egg-shaped, chunks gall out of it when you thread it and it will leak no matter what you do.

LB Ed

Plumdog_2

Threads and fittings

are more important than what you goop it with. If you drop one end of a length of 2.5 inch on the concrete instead of setting it down gently, it will flatten into an egg shape. The factory threads on much pipe these days are crude and should be cut off and re-threaded. Many fittings are mishapen or have holes in the castings. U.S. manufacturers should do whatever it takes to bring steel making back to this country IMHO.

Randy_22

2 1/2\" pipe

I have worked with this size often in Wisconsin on both steam and hot water. A plumber advised me to use 1" teflon tape [ 3 wraps ] and then a good quality paste like LACO Pipetite. I have found doing this even on 3/4" pipe that I almost never have a leak.

Kevin O. Pulver

Automotive RTV Silicone

I just used it on a copper union that for whatever reason would not seal. I smeared a very thin layer on both sides, put back together, tightened normally, and in 15 to 30 minutes, it was set up and ready to go! It comes apart easy too if you need to. Kevin

Adam_15

Thanks for all the suggestions , there heating cooling coils with glycol 50/50 mix . So if they leak with water ,then they will really leak with glycol not to mention that the glycol costs 300 dollar a barrel and I have to pump in 15 barrels . I just wish they ordered the coils with Victalic ends it would have made life easier .