HELP! HELP! What the #$#%^ happened

[michael stern]

About 1/2 hour ago, water started shooting out the back of my tank. Upon inspection, one of the unions on my closed loop cracked in 1/2, allowing water to shoot out. I shut down, replaced the union (hand tightened) and started it back up. 20 minutes later, same thing. Union cracked exactly the same. What happened, and what do I do now??????????????

Please respond, or, call me @ 914-661-3128 if you have any ideas

Michael

 

[michael stern]

Anyone????????????????????

 

[regal]

The only thing I can think of is that the union is not line up properly or too much vibration from the pipe. I assume this is the return side of the close loop.

 

[DEEPWATER]

nope ,,you over tightened it ,,it took a bit for it to crack ,,when turning the union closed ,you should hand tight the union ,then this a channel lock ( plumbers tool ,)or wrench ,,1/4 turn ,no more ,,if you did more then that ,then one day it just busts open ,,
happens alot ,with plastic

 

[DEEPWATER]

ok ,,didnt read your thread well ,,,
the same union crack open ,as in cracked ,or popped open from threads ,,if it popped open fro mthe thread ,the union is a defect and replace ,if it cracked as in cracked ,then yes it wont hold ,as you know ,,if you used 2 diff unions ,and bought it from the same place and same bunch ,all are defects then ,,it could happen ,,if the comp is cheaply made or had a prob with machinery or something like that

 

[jhale]

that's okay for the first time, but he said he replaced the union and only hand tightened the second time.

would is just be bad luck that the new union would crack right away?

edit, nevermind you just answered it.

 

[michael stern]

Too tight screwing the two end of the union onto the pipe, or too tight putting the two unions halves together??????

Can't afford a third flood today!

 

[michael stern]

I have a third union, a different company, heavier duty. I didn't tighten it too much. Any other possibilities?? I don't want to fire this baby back up and have it blow again.

 

[jhale]

depending on where it cracked,

I would think your tightening the two halves together to tight,

things need to be tight, but maybe not as tight as your making them?

it's so hard to describe the proper amount of pressure needed, but ronen is a plumber and he gave a good description. maybe your just really strong and are hand tightening the joints too much?

 

[jhale]

the schedule 80 union should not leak, ever.

I would trust that it will be fine, lucky you had the extra parts.

 

[michael stern]

Yeah, this will teach me not to get rid of extra fittings and such.

 

[jhale]

did it work?

 

[michael stern]

So far so good. It's been about 45 minutes.

 

[jhale]

sounds good,
may you never have any more plumbing troubles with your tank, knock on wood

 

[inline6]

why i keep small tanks...
wifey would kill me....

 

[House of Laughter]

Probably has only 1/2 to do with overtightening - the other half is the pressure being exerted on it from the hose i.e. any bends or rotational pressure

House

 

[michael stern]

Probably has only 1/2 to do with overtightening - the other half is the pressure being exerted on it from the hose i.e. any bends or rotational pressure

House

It still seems strange, that two of the same union both broke in the exact same way. If there was any torque that contributed to the first one breaking, why would the second break after 15 minutes?

 

[DEEPWATER]

depending on where it cracked,

I would think your tightening the two halves together to tight,

things need to be tight, but maybe not as tight as your making them?

it's so hard to describe the proper amount of pressure needed, but ronen is a plumber and he gave a good description. maybe your just really strong and are hand tightening the joints too much?

hey srry i was out all day ,,yup ,,maybe to strong ,,ask DZRL ,,lol
i do the same thing ,with my plumbers hands i break the plastic fitting no prob ,,plus if the pipes that are connecting the unions are not 100% next to eachother ,and you have to pul it a bit to close or get the threads in that would cuz pressure on the unions as well causing it to pop open ,

 

[DEEPWATER]

can you post a pic of the cracked unions i might be albe to tell if you over tighened them ,,if there is a crack right up the outsde of the union where it closes up ,,you over tightened it ,

 

[michael stern]

both broken unions are identical