All my plastic twist fittings leak!

wingzjr · Sep 21, 2016

Hi, I just installed a new faucet and I noticed that one of my fittings was leaking, so I hand tightened it and then tested it by filling the sink completely then letting it drain, (which rarely ever happens as I have a dishwasher)

I noticed that once all the pipes became full and had a bit of pressure on them the clear/opaque twist tighten nuts and also the nuts connecting to the sink started to leak, I could get some to stop but there is always one or two no matter what I do!

I would also like to note that none of them have any sort of washer in them, other than the grey plastic fitting. I thought this was weird but have limited knowledge.

Any ideas?

wingzjr · Sep 21, 2016

Is there any missing information preventing someone from replying?

havasu · Sep 21, 2016

I'm sure once the experts come home from their day of plumbing, they will post up their thoughts. In the meantime, you are stuck with me, just an old guy who had done lots of handyman services.

I've found that with those plastic nuts, you have to tighten them only to the "sweet spot" because anymore, they will leak, and obviously with any less, they will also leak. Most of the time I end up tightening them too tight, and they will leak. Many experts just glue them up completely without using those nuts and the older I get, the more this makes sense.

Are you using the plastic ferrule inside the nut?

frodo · Sep 21, 2016

havasu · Sep 21, 2016

Thanks Frodo. I guess the correct terminology is a slip nut washer, not a ferrule.

wingzjr · Sep 21, 2016

Ahh, none of them have that washer, my condo was renovated before I bought it, wonder what kind of contractors the old owner used.

I'll have to go pick some up and install them.

Thanks!