Hot Water Line Fitting Keeps Loosening and Leaking

[Doc71]

My 2011 Montana seems to continuously leak at the brass fitting and where the plastic coupler connect right out of the water heater. I have to tighten it up about every three weeks because it seems to come unthreaded off of the brass fitting. Should I replace the brass for plastic I’ve heard that they can crack rather easily overtime. I’m just trying to fix it where I don’t have to keep working on this water leak.

 

[RMcNeal]

Have you tried adding teflon tape to the fitting? They say you shouldn't with plastic fittings, but I have had some success with it.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I agree with Teflon tape idea. I have an Atwood water heater on my motorhome. The plastic drain plug leaks a bit - unless I use Teflon tape on it…then no leaks.

 

[Doc71]

Yes, I have tried the Teflon tape twice now on it and it still seems to back off of the brass fitting so I’m still just wondering what’s a good idea. I wonder if changing the brass fitting out in the plastic but they say those split rather quickly, so I’m not for sure what to do. Thank you for your replies.

 

[Daryles]

I was told by a plumber, always use tape + PTFE paste.
I've been doing that for a few years now and so far he was right.

 

[DutchmenSport]

The problem with plastic or PEX type connections is over tightening. I've done it enough, I know. I have found tightening with my hand works. I tighten the connection as hard as possible with my hand. When I can no longer tighten any more, I use a wrench and give "it" a quarter turn more. That's it. Never had a leak or a broken connection doing it this way. And my camper gets bounced down the road ALOT!

 

[Doc71]

I was told by a plumber, always use tape + PTFE paste.
I've been doing that for a few years now and so far he was right.

Thank you, I will try that. I appreciate it.

 

[LeftOverParts]

If the tape and paste doesn’t work, to Dutchmensport’s point, I’ve read (not experienced) that plastic fittings can deform if overtightened and then creep over time; and heated connections are more susceptible to this. The need to constantly tighten the fitting suggests, it might be time to replace it and then use all the ideas here - tape, paste, and controlled tightening.

 

[Mikendebbie]

I agree with Teflon tape idea. I have an Atwood water heater on my motorhome. The plastic drain plug leaks a bit - unless I use Teflon tape on it…then no leaks.