Dripping copper pipe nut connection

Norman_Castle

If you are doing work which may involve the heating in 5 months could you just catch the water from this leak then fix it properly along with the planned future work. If you do this remember to bleed the radiators regularly.

southcoastrgi

Constantly adding fresh water to a heating system isn't a good thing to do

Any

Thanks everyone.
Well that's the thing-this whole thing will go in 5 months time so we were looking for some temporary fix.
But it looks like having to drain the system.. not fun.

Kiran

Get a pipe freeze kit if you don't want to drain down. You do need to do the repair properly though i.e. take the nut off completely and wind on the PTFE tape then do the nut back up.

DavidFx

Putting PTFE tape around the olive will only work if the leak is between the olive and the fitting. If the leak is between the olive and the pipe then PTFE tape will not work.

EmmyLou30

Draining the system down is an easy DIY job on a combi system. Find the lowest radiator with a drain valve, hook up a hosepipe out through the back door (gravity is required as there's no real pressure in the system once it starts draining out) or use a washing up bowl to catch it. Then open a bleed valve on an upstairs rad to be sure it's all out. Do the work needed to fix the weeping joint, then re-pressurise the system at the boiler. This will most likely be a filler loop with a washing machine style turn valve, or on a newer one a key on the underside of the boiler.

Oh, and chuck in a bottle of inhibitor when you fill it back up, you don't want plain old water going round the radiators.