What is the chance a small leak from copper olive will stop itself

[Menny]

In general how does it work when water leaks just stop themselves like sometimes small leaks from tefelon tape or fibre washers just stop themselves in a few days.

 

[Geofd]

Take it apart put a little Teflon paste on the fiber washer and threads tighten back up

 

[Menny]

Thank you.
I’ve tried to put some loxeal on the copper olive and it slowed the leak down significantly like there only a really small drip every minute I’m wondering on the possibility of it stopping itself.

 

[havasu]

I've found that Rectorseal #5 will stop minor leaks in a day or two, depending on how big and how much pressure. I've also found that loosening up plastic fitting often stop leaks on drain lines (the old 'too tight' theory).

 

[Jeff Handy]

If you are talking about a compression fitting with a brass ferule, they sometimes stop leaking because minerals and crud in the house plumbing system will flow into the leaking area and eventually plug up the leak.

Very similar to how your own body stops the flow of blood from a small cut.
Blood platelets will fill up the leaking area in your blood vessel and form a clot.

If you have tightened the fitting properly and the leak is slowing down, just put a bowl or pan under it for a few days, it might stop dripping.

However, the leak might start again if you ever disturb that connection in any way.

 

[Menny]

If you are talking about a compression fitting with a brass ferule, they sometimes stop leaking because minerals and crud in the house plumbing system will flow into the leaking area and eventually plug up the leak.

Very similar to how your own body stops the flow of blood from a small cut.
Blood platelets will fill up the leaking area in your blood vessel and form a clot.

If you have tightened the fitting properly and the leak is slowing down, just put a bowl or pan under it for a few days, it might stop dripping.

However, the leak might start again if you ever disturb that connection in any way.

 

[Menny]

Thanx for that explanation Jeff.

 

[Geofd]

Thanx for that explanation Jeff.

Some of the guys I work with use a Teflon paste on the feral, I use a food grade grease a lot, on diffrent threads, and connections, just makes things fit together easier, and the next time you have to take it apart it much easier

 

[Pat the Plumber CIL]

I had a former employer who would tell me that a pin leak on a hot water line would repair itself . In my experience leaks only get worse with time .

 

[Riickk]

Well hot water will evaporate faster than cold, so instead of a year, maybe the leak will stop in only 9 months. However, agree with Jeff, mess with the spot where leak stopped by itself, and look for a nice fresh leak to appear.

BTW... WHAT is a copper Olive ???