Monument 2069 Compression Fitting Spanner, 24 x 32 mm

Product Information

PTFE tape can also be used as a sealant - a few turns need to be wound over the olive such that they will end up sat between the mating surface between the olive and the fitting:

Use of PTFE tape on both olive and threads can be of course be combined to both lubricate and seal. Once the nuts are done up hand tight on the joint, an additional half to three quarter turn with a pair of spanners (one on the body of the fitting to hold it still, the other on the nut) is usually adequate to make a seal. If the joint leaks, an additional tightening tweak will normally fix it. Note that over-tightening a joint may actually make it leak.

Existing Customers

Copper pipe works well with compression fittings. Chrome plated copper pipe also works well. Some advocate stripping the chrome from the area of the pipe in the fitting as this allows the olive to get a better grip on the pipe. There is no actual need to do this, but if not doing so, it is advisable to torque the nuts a little higher than with normal copper pipe since its harder for the olive to "bite" the chromed pipe.

Sometimes an olive can be removed by tightening an adjustable spanner closely around the pipe, and then using it as a slide hammer to strike the nut or the olive itself and drive it toward the pipe end.

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Most tool kits will include a set of these. While not the perfect tool, they can be very useful since they will adapt to make a good fit on any nut. If you use them with the correct orientation they also grip harder the more force you apply to them: The vice grip spanner is a combination of an adjustable spanner and a set of vice grip pliers (aka "mole grips"). Very handy for working at arms length in awkward spaces, and also for not marking polished chrome fittings like nuts on taps or service valves. Also means that you have twice the number of positions that the spanner can engage with the nut. This is very handy when there is very limited turning space for the spanner.

The pipe needs to be cut square and cleanly, with any burrs removed. Pipes cut with a pipe cutter are much easier to use than those cut with a saw. The pipe needs to be clean and free from contaminants like paint or plaster etc. It does not need to be quite as clean and shiny as required for soldered connections. An olive splitter takes a different approach by tighenting a sharp edge onto the side of the olive while supporting the pipe from the inside. They cut through one side of the olive without damaging the pipe, allowing it to expand a bit in diameter and slide off the pipe. There is no significant difference. Compression fittings designed for liquid will work fine with gas but if you use optional PTFE tape, make sure it is gas grade. In addition, ensure the fittings are accessible and not hidden behind walls or under floors. Are Compression Fittings Reliable? Again, a clean square cut is important, and any burrs removed. Take great care to protect pipe ends when pulling them under floors etc, since its very easy to scratch plastic pipe and this makes it hard to get a good compression (or pushfit for that matter) seal. They are very skinny which makes them uncomfortable to use as well, but sometimes this slimness is an advantage where there is not much space.

Available in three sizes, 16mm – 40mm, 40mm – 75mm and 63mm – 125mm. This compact tool is a necessity for all your compression installations and repairs. Compression joints are designed to be used without any sealant. The nut compresses the olive driving it into the cone shaped profile at the end of the fitting body, causing deformation of both the metal surfaces of the olive and the pipe, zeroing the gap and creating a watertight seal. Non setting lubricants and jointing compounds like that shown above can also be applied under and over the olive. This can be more effective for fixing leaks due to pipe scratches. The process of soldering copper pipes together is referred to as ‘sweating’. Soldering offers certain advantages: it’s a straightforward process for experienced plumbers and engineers and it creates a lasting join (in theory). However, soldering is not always a practical option - in confined spaces for example. By contrast, fittings are easy to apply even without special training, do not need the application of heat, and in most cases, they can be removed and repositioned if required. How Many PSI Can a Compression Fitting Hold?

Note that any sealants used on drinking water must have WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approval for this use. These are cheap and light, and readily available. However they are usually a poor choice since they are often too short to get adequate leverage, they are also usually a somewhat sloppy fit which risks damaging the nut and also injuring yourself should the spanner slip:

Place a pipe insert into the end of the pipe to be joined. Pipe inserts, typically made from plastic or steel, reinforce pipes and keep them in a fully circular shape, making connection easier. It should be noted that this only applies to plastic pipes and not copper or steel pipes as they are much stronger Compression fittings are very reliable and have been proven over many decades, however sometimes things can go wrong and you end up with a joint that leaks. The common causes are: On the downside, the extra leverage can make it too easy for a untrained gorilla to overdo it! Sometimes the length can also be a problem in confined spaces.