Leaking joint on hot water outlet pipe of unvented water heater

[badluc]

Hello All, I've got a small leak where the pipe of the hot water outlet of an unvented water heater joins the valve. I'm attaching a couple of photos to give an idea of the set up. Is there a good solution that doesn't involve resoldering the joint? Many thanks.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Tighten the nut by turning clockwise and it should stop leaking.

 

[badluc]

Thank you very much! I've just given it a go, but stopped as the whole valve assembly started to turn. It looks like originally some light brown paste had been put on the nut thread, I can just about see it on the side I need to tighten, and it's more visible on the opposite side. I hope if I move the valve I won't break that seal and get a bigger leak...
Anyways, I'll try again but this time with some way to hold the valve in place. In any case the leaking is minimal. Thank you again for the advice.

 

[Stigster]

As you have found out, the valve body needs to be held firm when tightening the nut. It's a pity you weren't told that first time round.

Hold the valve body firm using a pair of pump pliers (grips) or similar, if you don't have those you can use an adjustable spanner, or a correctly sized open end spanner or wrench to hold the body in place. You might need to experiment a bit to find the best way to restrain the valve body. Do the nut up clockwise and just nip them up tight, they probably will only move a few degrees but have a good chance to stop the leak.

 

[townfanjon]

Shouldn’t even be there in the first place pal

 

[plumbermail]

Tightening the nut will probably help you.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Shouldn’t even be there in the first place pal

Especially a stopcock, it's unbelievable - almost!

 

[king of pipes]

As above it shouldn't be there especially a stopcock . Kop

 

[moonlight]

No valve should be fitted on the outlet

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Why can’t it be there ?

 

[king of pipes]

A full bore lever valve yes stopcock no bud

 

[ShaunCorbs]

A full bore lever valve yes stopcock no bud

they both do the same job no difference in my eyes

 

[king of pipes]

Thats is why we are all different bud what one of us would do the other may not, I just prefer to use lever full bore valves on my installs and only stop cocks on a cold mains each to their own . Kop

 

[Scott_D]

It should be a full bore valve but noting says you can’t use a stopcock.

 

[EvilDrPorkChop]

they both do the same job no difference in my eyes

Have to agree with Shaun, there's nothing wrong with it being there - just not good practice. A stop tap is going to restrict the flow a lot more than a gate valve or full bore level/butterfly valve.

 

[Stigster]

No valve should be fitted on the outlet

It's no different to a having a tap anywhere else on the distribution pipework. It will however potentially restrict flow more than a full-bore valve and reduce performance.