Union leaking?

[TampaReefer79]

Shouldn't a union valve only have to be hand tightened? If it leaks then what? Time for a new one? I NEVER remember having to use plumbers tape on a union or ball valve...

?

[Groundfury]

The seals in the union can go bad over time and start leaking.

[TampaSnooker]

The seal is probably just an O-ring so you may get lucky and fix it for $.50 at Lowes.

[jbax]

yeah it should just be an o-ring

[Burkette]

teflon tape ftw!!!!! I had that issue with one of mine. used some t-tape, and it was all good.

[TampaReefer79]

Thanks for the help! By the time I figured out that the seal was missing altogether - was kind of obvious since it wasn't just a drip here and there, it was GUSHING - I couldn't get the damn thing off of the plumbing. And even though it was only hand tightened, it wasn't budging. (and yes I was turning it the right way LOL) My hands are raw and were bleeding...that's how hard I tried to get it off. I ended up cutting it off and replacing it with a new leak free ball valve. I was calling it a union...but it was one of those union/ball valves. The ball valve with a union on either end.

Back to the missing seal though...when I bought the tank, I was given a 'Box O' Parts' to reassemble to get the system operational. Obviously I found out that 2 bulkheads weren't useable...one was cut right up at the bulkhead for some reason and one was missing a nut. Just as an FYI for all the newbies and folks that are new with plumbing - cut your plumbing at least an inch away from a bulkhead, elbow, coupling etc so you have something to glue back onto. IF at all possible that is. Sometimes it's not possible. But try. It will make your life easier in the end.

So anyway, I am putting the puzzle together known as my plumbing and I found 3 O rings of various sizes. I didn't think much of them, figuring they were spare parts. Now I'm thinking that one of them goes to the leaky union end of the ball valve that I had to cut off. I'll never know because even after cutting it off I wasn't able to open it. That leaves 2 O rings. 1 I'm thinking could have been the OTHER end of the ball/union and since I STILL have 1 leaky spot, I might know where the last one goes. That's why I'm posting it here, I'm hoping someone knows.

My return is a Dart and has a 2 inch inlet and 1 1/2 inch outlet. The Dart is leaky - not terrible, but enough...right at the outlet. There is a teflon taped male adapter screwed into the Dart outlet and this is where it's dripping ever so slightly. It's a brand new male adapter and was taped very well. My question is, is there a seal or O ring type gadget that goes INSIDE the outlet of the Dart pump? If so, I have it...the power chord was put through the ring so it wouldn't get lost by the previous owner. So if you have a Dart, kindly let me know if there is a seal INSIDE the outupt.

Thanks!!!

[cwegescheide]

Just as an FYI for all the newbies and folks that are new with plumbing - cut your plumbing at least an inch away from a bulkhead, elbow, coupling etc so you have something to glue back onto. IF at all possible that is. Sometimes it's not possible. But try. It will make your life easier in the end.

Or you could use threaded bulkheads. Much easier IMO.

[reeferfriendly]

there should be no need for an o ring there and no reason why the male adapter should leak if it is taped well unless its loose or something is cracked maybe. i used pipe dope on mine instead of tape not sure if that matters

[CichlidMan@<3]

maybe you cross-threaded it. thats only thing that makes sense since you said it was a pain to get off

[TampaReefer79]

maybe you cross-threaded it. thats only thing that makes sense since you said it was a pain to get off

Good point, you're probably right. I'm all thumbs. ;)

[Burkette]

My dart leaked from he same place. I used pipe grease and elbow grease, and now it's fine. If it's a small leak...and I mean very small. The salt will stop the leak after a while. I had to re-do my plumbing 3 times in the space of about a month, so I am very familiar with leaks and the such at this point. and I do not remember there being an o ring in the outlet or tinake of the DART.