There are countless parts and systems throughout your home’s plumbing, many of which you might not even be aware of. While the compression fittings of your home’s pipes and fixtures might be the last thing you think of on a normal day, they are an important aspect to pay attention to, as they are integral to your plumbing system. When these fittings fail or leak, they can cause water damage, unsanitary conditions, and more headaches than you need. Fortunately, it’s easy to understand what compression fittings are, why they leak, and how to fix them.
What Are Compression Fittings?
Starting off with the basics, compression fittings are components that connect two pipes or tubes. Most compression fittings are made up of three parts: the compression nut, the compression ring (also known as the ferrule), and the compression seat. As you might expect from the name, these fittings use compression to create a seal around the two pipes that are being connected, making less convenient connection methods like welding or soldering unnecessary.
When installing a compression fitting, the compression nut tightens the ferrule to create a tight seal between it and the tube. Many homeowners, contractors, and plumbers value compression fittings highly due to their ease of installation and the powerful seal they create, which can typically handle regular vibrations in the plumbing system and even deal with slight misalignments that can occur.
Common Problems & Solutions
While compression fittings are excellent at doing their job, nothing is perfect, and sometimes a fitting will fail or leak. Here are some of the most common problems these fittings run into and steps you can take to address them.
Flawed Installation
If you notice a problem with a compression ring, the first thing to ask yourself is if the fitting was installed correctly. Whether you did it yourself or a professional did it for you, mistakes can happen, and they can oftentimes be fixed relatively easily. For example, if the fitting wasn’t initially tightened well enough, a leak can happen, which can be fixed by simply tightening the fitting. On the other hand, overly tightening the fitting can damage it, which could mean that a whole new fitting is needed.
Another common issue with compression fittings is misalignment during installation. While fittings can handle slight misalignments, major misalignments can cause an uneven seal, which will likely result in a leak. Reinstalling the compression fitting would be recommended in this case.
Regular Deterioration
As with anything else, compression fittings are at the mercy of time and their surroundings. Over time, the chance that they will deteriorate and cause leaks in your system grows. Certain environments can speed the deterioration process up; for example, elevated temperatures or humid conditions can cause corrosion.
Occasional inspections will help you discover if a fitting is nearing the end of its lifespan. If you see that one of your fittings is at that point, the best course of action is to completely replace it with a new one. This way, you’ll stay ahead of leaks and damage.
Strong Vibrations
The water flowing through your plumbing system makes it inevitable that your compression fittings will experience regular vibrations. Though that isn’t a problem most of the time, if there is another issue that causes these vibrations to become abnormally strong or if your system simply vibrates more than usual, your compression fittings could become damaged or leak.
If a flaw in your system causes unusually strong vibrations, you should fix that first before dealing with any potentially damaged or loosened fittings. However, if your system simply has strong vibrations, bracing the pipes with mounts to the wall or ceiling can reduce the wear and tear on your fittings. In addition, you can install flexible hoses and vibration-dampening supports and pads to help absorb the vibrations and keep the fittings safe.
Regular Maintenance Is Key
In the end, regular maintenance and inspections are crucial for keeping your fittings leak-free and working properly. Even a simple visual inspection can go a long way. Watch for signs such as moisture, water stains, or residue around the fitting to catch a potential problem early on. However, if you’re unsure of what to look for or how to conduct more thorough tests, working with a professional plumber is a great way to ensure the job is done right and your fittings are properly looked after!
Skip the Guesswork and Work with Joe the Plumber!
While some savvier homeowners may feel confident in addressing their compression fitting issues, we recommend saving time and hassle by working with a highly qualified plumber. If you live in the Greater Houston area, that’s Joe the Plumber. Since 1999, we’ve helped countless customers across the region with comprehensive plumbing solutions. No matter the problem or the time of day, you can count on us for dependable 24/7 service. Give us a call when you need us – we’ll be there!
