they’re definitely stiffer and can be tricky to seat right if the surface isn’t perfect
Yeah, that’s been my experience too. PTFE’s great for resisting heat and chemicals, but on older taps where the seat’s a bit pitted or uneven, I’ve had them leak unless I really crank down—sometimes more than I’m comfortable with. Ever tried stacking a thin rubber washer under the PTFE for a bit of give? I’ve had mixed results, but sometimes it helps seal those dodgy surfaces. Curious if anyone’s found a go-to workaround for those rough old fittings...
I’ve tried the rubber washer trick too, but sometimes it just squishes out if I tighten things down. On really rough seats, I’ve had better luck with a bit of plumber’s putty, though I know it’s not always recommended for potable water. Has anyone messed around with those fiber washers instead? I’ve heard they can handle uneven surfaces a bit better, but I haven’t tested them much myself.
- Had plenty of issues with rubber washers getting chewed up or squeezed out, especially on older fittings.
- Fiber washers have actually saved my bacon a few times—seem to bite down better when the seat’s not perfect.
- Only thing is, they can swell up a bit if there’s any moisture, but usually that helps the seal.
- Never been a fan of putty where water’s involved, mostly for the same reasons you mentioned.
- If you’re dealing with really rough seats, I’ve sometimes hit them with a bit of emery cloth first—makes life easier for any washer.
I get what you’re saying about fiber washers, but I’ve actually had a couple of them swell up so much they started to crumble after a while. Maybe it’s just the water quality in my area, but I’ve switched over to nylon washers for most of my repairs. They don’t bite quite as well on rough seats, but they hold their shape and don’t seem to mind a bit of moisture.
About the emery cloth—totally agree it helps smooth things out, but I always go super light with it. Once, I got a little too enthusiastic and ended up making the seat uneven, which just made the leak worse. Now I just do a few gentle passes and wipe everything down before putting it back together.
One thing I’d add: if you’re dealing with really old fittings, sometimes it’s worth just replacing the whole thing if you can. Saves a lot of headaches down the road, especially if you’re worried about safety or long-term leaks.