"Took me a while to realize that overtightening fittings can actually cause leaks too."
You're spot on with this. Many people assume tighter is always better, but plumbing fittings—especially brass or copper—can deform slightly if overtightened, causing tiny gaps and leaks. Good catch on backing off and using plumber's tape; that's usually the best approach. Boilers can indeed be finicky at first, but once dialed in properly, they're solid performers. Glad you got it sorted out without too much hassle.
Yeah, been there myself—thought I'd crank it down extra tight to avoid leaks and ended up making things worse. Learned the hard way that fittings just need snugging up, not brute force. Glad you figured it out too... plumbing can be tricky stuff.
Did you have any trouble with the washers or seals? I remember when I first tackled my boiler, I figured tighter meant safer—ended up squishing the washer so badly it leaked worse than before. Took me ages to realize that snugging things up gently and checking twice was way better than brute force. Plumbing's definitely one of those things where patience beats muscle every time... Glad you got yours sorted out without too much hassle.
Yeah, totally agree with you on the washers. I've seen plenty of folks crank down fittings thinking tighter equals better, only to end up with leaks or damaged seals. Honestly, it's one of those things you learn the hard way—usually after a few frustrating afternoons and extra trips to the hardware store.
Another thing I've noticed is that people often overlook cleaning the surfaces before installing new washers or seals. Even a tiny bit of grit or old gasket residue can cause leaks down the line. I always make sure to give everything a quick wipe-down and inspection before putting it back together. Saves a lot of headaches later on.
Glad you got yours sorted without too much trouble though... boilers can be finicky beasts sometimes.
You're spot on about cleaning surfaces—it's amazing how many leaks I've fixed just by wiping off some leftover gunk. Another thing that gets overlooked is thread sealant. I've seen folks rely solely on washers or tape, but a bit of quality sealant can make a huge difference, especially on older fittings with worn threads. Ever had issues with sealants yourself? I've tried a few brands, and honestly... some are way better than others.
