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chilly81's avatar
chilly81
Explorer
May 06, 2015

Tricks to stop leaking pipe thread

I put in a new anode this year on my HW heater and I used pipe dope. This is the first I'v used it, but I gobbed it on good. I typically used teflon tape, but I knew the threads were a bit rusted and thought dope would be better.

So it's weeping now. I did clean the threads as best I could with a wire brush on a dremel.

I wouldn't feel comfortable torquing it any further - although I can't say the actual torque. Are there any tips or tricks to make it stop... or does a very light weeping often stop on it's own after a couple days?

Does teflon tape actually work better and I was just dumb?

Any tips or advice welcomed!
Thanks
  • Charles2222's avatar
    Charles2222
    Explorer
    May 06, 2015
    Try just letting it sit a couple of days without any pressure.May just may rust and swell.Have seen it work.Not something to count on.Cost is cheap.
  • doughere's avatar
    doughere
    Explorer
    May 06, 2015
    I'd get a 3/4 inch pipe tap and clean up the threads (gently). Unless you have some serious wire brushes on your dremmel, I doubt you hurt anything.

    I use teflon tape, but that's just an ease of use and longevity of tape verses dope.

    Doug
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    May 06, 2015
    Go to some place like Harbor Freight and buy a 3/4 pipe tap. Use that to clean the threads. It is quite possible though that you have already damaged the threads using your Dremmel.

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