Tape on compression fittings?

[Bleedin Thumb]

Hi just a quick question......Is it nessesary to use teflon tape on compression fittings?

I would have thought the olive did the job.

[NCArcher]

No tape required. Make sure you have the correct size fitting for the pipe though. Metric/Imperial.

[Bleedin Thumb]

Thanks NC, now back to installing that new vanity!

[Ashore]

Definately no tape , it can build up as you screw the fitting stopping you getting the correct pressure on the olive, use only on tapered threads

[Fuzzie]

What about flaring the pipe ends and applying green gunk at the seat? I seem to remember that on old pipe work I dismantled in Melbourne but haven't seen it on anything modern in Queensland.

These days the olive is nylon rather than brass, is that the difference? Or maybe it's a gasfitter thing vs plumber thing?

[Harry72]

The green gunk may well be old soap residue which they use as a test for gas leaks.
(Hint hint!)

[Fuzzie]

The green gunk may well be old soap residue which they use as a test for gas leaks.
(Hint hint!)

No. The green gunk came in small tins, I'm not sure what its real name was.

But yes test for gas leaks, soapy water in a squeeze bottle is good. Water pipe connections test themselves.

[Bleedin Thumb]

All done - no leaks, first time!...Why do plumbers charge so much? between pressure fittings, snap ons, flexi type connectors etc etc .....and they are still almostr the most expensive trade.

[Qldp]

All done - no leaks, first time!...Why do plumbers charge so much? between pressure fittings, snap ons, flexi type connectors etc etc .....and they are still almostr the most expensive trade.

How much should a plumber charge per hour?

[wonderplumb]

Mate a bit of teflon doesnt hurt so long as you wrap it around the olive itself.............
annealed pipe helps also
green 'gunk' is usually the old 'boss white' which will turn green after years of contact with brass/copper.
The cost of running a plumbing business is very expensive with tools/equipment, insurances, fuel, materials etc. and you have to make a living for yourself and therefore your not going to work for nothing because someone doesnt agree with what your charging, eg in my hourly rate is included $3 per hour just to cover fuel for the week and when you factor in all the other expenses calculated over an hourly rate it doesnt leave you with much more than a licenced plumber gets on wages.
Food for thought.
PS it also depends on what part of town your living, in the city you can expect to pay up to $120 p/h!

[Harry72]

"The cost of running a plumbing business is very expensive with tools/equipment, insurances, fuel, materials etc. and you have to make a living for yourself and therefore your not going to work for nothing because someone doesnt agree with what your charging, eg in my hourly rate is included $3 per hour just to cover fuel for the week and when you factor in all the other expenses calculated over an hourly rate it doesnt leave you with much more than a licenced plumber gets on wages.
Food for thought.
PS it also depends on what part of town your living, in the city you can expect to pay up to $120 p/h!"

"What"

The cost of running a plumbing business... how about we compare that to a joinery business or a metal fabricator or even a landscaper.
Dam sure they dont earn $120p/h and their tools would cost way more than any plumbers set up.
I can understand the fuel charge as oxys arent cheap($3p/h seems a little cheap?), your insurance would be no more than any other housing trades?
Materials arent cheap yes but that doesnt come into the hourly rate does it?

At $120p/h I dont care if its illegal I'll be doing my own plumbing(not that I actually would, just find a cheaper plumber)

[rsser]

For flared fittings my plumber neighbour recommends using this brown goo (excuse the tech term); looks like runny putty.

[bricks]

The green stuff is Hawkins Paste, Good stuff to use on compression fittings- It stops the fitting binding on the pipe- much like a lubricant.

The red stuff is Stagg Jointing paste used to help seal the join.

Both are available at any plumbing outlet and good hardware stores.

I wouldn't use plastic olives on annealed copper tube due to the risk of the fitting sliding off the end of the tube and causing lots of water damage.

[wonderplumb]

Fuel, thats petrol before you even think about your oxy, a 'plumbers kit' beleive it or not does cost a fair bit to set up, my 'plumbers kit' of handtools would cost a grand to replace before we even get into the power tools, oxy set, kango, partner saw, freeze kit, locating gear, jet, plumbing specific tools such as benders, expanders, pipe cutters, chain cutters and the list goes on.
For the record nylon olives are supposed to 'grip' the pipe, tighten an olive around annealed pipe then try to slide the bugger off, the idea is they grip the pipe so it doesnt slide out of the olive and kinco under pressure, which does happen.
Im not saying I charge $120 p/h, not by a long shot but in the guts of the city people do and people pay it. Tell me what you think a fair price for a tradesman is?

[Bleedin Thumb]

. Tell me what you think a fair price for a tradesman is?

First let me say I think that you are stretching it a bit calling plumbers tradesman.

Since the main purpose of plumbers is to unblock ship out of pipes. A job no one in their right mind would consider doing ....let alone undertaking four years as an apprentice just to perfect the art form ....
and also considering as a plumber:


A. You stink and are forced to bath in Detol.
B. You have no friends except other plumbers.

Then I guess you do deserve adequate compensation. If I had to stick my arm up a sewer pipe every day I would want my $1000 a day as well.