Leaky faucet in bathroom

January 04, 2026, 01:51 PM

KMitch200

There is a compression fitting going from wall pipe to faucet hose hookup.
Do I need pipe dope to seal this or can I use Teflon tape? Tape I’ve got, pipe dope I don’t.

January 04, 2026, 01:59 PM

konata88

Not an expert but I thought compression fittings (ie - swagelock) don't need tape or dope.

January 04, 2026, 02:28 PM

KMitch200

I’ve never worked with them. All my years in many homes have all been threaded fittings.
I’ll try cleaning everything up and see if it leaks.

January 04, 2026, 03:28 PM

MikeinNC

Just tighten the compression nut and it’ll squish the ferrul further into the fitting and should stop any leak. They are not made to use dope or tape. The tightening crushes the ferrul and input line into each other for a solid bond.

If this doesn’t work you may need to replace the whole fitting.

“You may beat me, but you will never win.” sigmonkey-2020

“ in my opinion, anything that we can do to trigger a potential aneurysm in a leftist is a good thing and worth doing” nhtagmember 2025

January 04, 2026, 05:56 PM

hairy2dawg

For a compression fitting, if it leaks, it's not tight enough. No dope or tape needed.

January 04, 2026, 06:38 PM

PeteF

Is the pipe nice and round? If so just tighten the compression nut a little at a time (1/4 turn) until the leak stops. If the pipe is dented, tightening it wont do anything. Replace the valve.

January 04, 2026, 06:57 PM

.38supersig

If it is a simple compression ring, you may need the ring compressor for your size.

I found mine at a yard sale for $10.

If not, you can chop it off and get a Shark Bite valve and fasten the faucet hose to that.

January 04, 2026, 07:11 PM

comet24

Try tightening it. No dope or Teflon tape on compression fittings. This is a copper pipe I am assuming. Hardest part of replacing them is access them.

They can also leak from the stem. If that is the case tightening the nut on the stem part. Sometime with these valve since they are not used often they will start leaking if you use them.

January 04, 2026, 11:29 PM

KMitch200

Thanks guys!
I cleaned up the existing set and it leaked.
I went to the local HIGHLY priced ACE and bought a new one and a new hose because I didn’t like the look of the old one. Cleaned up the in wall pipe with some 400 grit sandpaper to eliminate any funk on there.

All is well, tightened up and drip free. Hallelujah! It’s beer-thirty.

ETA: My system for working under cabinets is two moving blankets folded up with a double layer section padding the very edge of the cabinet. Works better than the wife’s blankets and I don’t worry about getting them dirty.
I don’t need a chiropractor afterwords but it’s still a PITA trying to turn wrenches in small spaces.

January 05, 2026, 12:06 AM

old rugged cross

Good effort. Those kinds of jobs don't always go that well.

January 05, 2026, 09:04 PM

lyman

quote:
Originally posted by KMitch200:
Thanks guys!
I cleaned up the existing set and it leaked.
I went to the local HIGHLY priced ACE and bought a new one and a new hose because I didn’t like the look of the old one. Cleaned up the in wall pipe with some 400 grit sandpaper to eliminate any funk on there.

All is well, tightened up and drip free. Hallelujah! It’s beer-thirty.

ETA: My system for working under cabinets is two moving blankets folded up with a double layer section padding the very edge of the cabinet. Works better than the wife’s blankets and I don’t worry about getting them dirty.
I don’t need a chiropractor afterwords but it’s still a PITA trying to turn wrenches in small spaces.

had to change out the kitchen faucet a couple weeks ago,

my old fat ass is not good up in the cabinet, and was sore 2 days,,

will try the moving blanket trick, if I have to do one again,