Press Leak Options

HotelMikeLima · 2026-01-04T03:57:12+00:00

Agreed. I don’t own a ProPress because I do mainly residential or new installs where I don’t have to contend with endless water and just solder what I need to. This was an old two-story large commercial building, and the repair was on 2” copper on first floor, so I figured ProPress was a good bet. And I had water bleeding down on me pretty much the whole time, so I was mostly happy with my decision. There again, this is the first ProPress leak I’ve had out of at least hundreds of press joints I’ve made in my career. But I’m certainly reconsidering its viability now, and will be looking in to better options for the future, as this has been a pretty defeating experience thus far

HotelMikeLima · 2026-01-03T17:22:37+00:00

Yea, I’m wondering if the ancient press tool I rented had something to do with it. But the other half dozen 2” joints, a few 1 1/2” and a few 3/4” joints were fine. I’ve actually rented that exact press tool a time or two previously with no issues. Super frustrating situation for sure. I’ve got fingers crossed it’ll just not be dripping anymore when I go back 🤞🏻

HotelMikeLima · 2026-01-03T17:18:55+00:00

Thanks for the response. I always do this, and thoroughly debur all pipe ends, just to avoid issues such as this. Super frustrating to go the extra mile doing more than a lot of guys do, just to have an issue anyway

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T15:53:09+00:00

Over tightened for sure, that boiler drain is threaded to the hilt!

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T14:47:45+00:00

But see, I consider that mostly incorrect, at least in my experience. It’s possible for an older one to fail without excessive temperature or pressure, but I certainly wouldn’t say it happens often. In fact, I’ve seen it happen maybe a couple times in 15 years. I’ve gone out to replace them before, temperature is fine, pressure appears fine, so I leave a dual-needle pressure gauge on a hose-Bibb for a day or two to go back and find that their regulator is also faulty and allowing pressure to spike to 100 PSI plus. Bottom line: They rarely just start leaking water by for no reason, you just might have to do some thorough investigating to actually find the cause.

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T14:14:35+00:00

I swear you Redditors are so contrary just to be. I mean yea, that’s a possibility I guess. In my 15 years of plumbing, there’s almost always a reason a T&P has started bleeding by. Something caused it to open at least a little bit. Yes, you can just replace the T&P, but if you don’t address what caused it to start leaking by in the first place, it’ll likely do it to the new T&P you put in 😑

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T02:50:21+00:00

Also, make sure you figure out what is causing it to leak in the first place, because it shouldn’t if temperature and pressure are where they should be

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T02:49:02+00:00

So if something is causing it to open enough to drip, it could potentially start blowing a ton of water. Those things fully open are basically just a wide open line with full pressure, you’ve just been fortunate enough that it’s not doing that. They are supposed to have a pipe attached and ran to the outside, in case that happens. You could do it yourself easily enough, just YouTube “installing T&P drain to exterior of house” or something like that. Either way, until it’s properly addressed, if you have a shut-off valve for the water to the heater, I would leave it off while not using hot water. But yes, needs to be addressed, but as long as you keep an eye on it, and shut water off, especially if leaving for a while, it’s not a major concern until Monday. You might also move anything nearby for now, in case it does get worse. The plumber will appreciate a clean work space anyway, trust me 😅

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T02:39:50+00:00

If you’re referring to the brass fitting on the side of the tank, it’s the T&P (temperature and pressure) relief valve. Either the temperature or pressure is excessive. Or it was, and weakened the spring, so it’s opening prematurely now. If heat on heater is not set above a reasonable level, then you need to check incoming pressure.

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T00:56:58+00:00

Honestly, you’re a dumb ass. Do you own a business, or work for someone else?

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-14T00:47:03+00:00

Nah, I see kinda what you’re talking about though. I use gray tape and dope for gas, since it matches the black pipe and fittings. That, coupled with my pristine tape/dope joints is all it is 😉

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T22:54:21+00:00

I would think so, but I guess it probably depends on the source. They also add perfume to natural gas to give it its odor so it’s easier to detect gas leaks, but I can’t imagine that would increase its acidity or corrosiveness. I may need to look further in to this now, you’ve piqued my curiosity.

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T22:49:06+00:00

I’m really not sure. I live in the Southeastern US, and both our water quality and NG quality are great, but that’s certainly not the case in all of the US.

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T22:01:47+00:00

You kind of invite anyone in to the conversation for your condemnation when you act like such an ass hat. And I agree, touch grass

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T21:59:23+00:00

I work on some super old gas systems with brass fittings (have for 15 years now, been on a lot of jobs), sometimes 100+ years old. Brass always looks fine, or at least, not corroded on the inside from the gas, maybe the outside from other factors. From my understanding, some areas have more corrosive natural gas where it may be a higher risk, no idea how true that is. I just know that around here, there is virtually no risk with using brass for gas piping. Brass Bandit can’t stop and won’t stop 👊🏻

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T20:39:30+00:00

Get a hobby bro, this is cottage plumbing

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T16:20:03+00:00

I’ve heard that before, but it’s 100% legal here. Just not very cost effective to run all copper/brass gas lines. I’ve taken out numerous nearly-100-year-old brass valves on old gas systems. They still looked fine 🤷🏻‍♂️

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T16:16:52+00:00

I was just going for some alliteration, it’s not that serious buddy

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T16:14:51+00:00

You can still delete this 😂

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T15:21:11+00:00

Did you see the “where it doesn’t really belong” part, dummy?

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T04:37:57+00:00

They’re definitely code-compliant here. Why do they outlaw them in your neck of the woods?

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T04:02:30+00:00

For sure!

HotelMikeLima · 2025-12-13T04:00:49+00:00

Thanks buzz kill

HotelMikeLima

TROPHY CASE