My horrible bathroom project is killing me. Everything drips. I bought a new shut off valve 1/2 to 3/8, and that does not fit into the water line from the wall. I looked at my old shut off valve and it had a piece that screwed into the 1/2 inch side and then it screwed on. I know its not 3/8‘s, so what the heck side could it be? The 1/2 was to big. I am stumped?My lines are corroded a little bit at the threaded part of the water line that come out of the wall. I am sure that this is also causing these drips I get. Is there anyway to fix this without replacing the pipes? Gaskets, seals? My house is about 60 Years old, and I don‘t see myself here for to long and I don‘t have allot of money to spend on this.Thanks
It would appear that you have copper pipes, but have some unusual fittings. You might try a simple method, before resorting to replacing everyrhing. Teflon tape just could be your answer, but the surfaces MUST be clean. Remove the fittings, clean the threads with a strong detergent and steel wool, to get rid of all traces of corrosion. You must clean both the male and female ends of each fitting, . Rinse away ALL detergent and any bits of steel wool, then tightly wrap the teflon tape around the threads and re-use the original fittings. EDIT A magnet covered with food wrap or inside a plastic bag and held near the fittings will usually collect the last bits of steel wool. After use, remove the magnet from the food wrap/bag and the bits will fall away easily.
