Pika Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Ok guys, how do I make this better... I spend like 10 minutes every time I hook up my RO/DI unit trying to hit the "sweet spot" where there is as little spray and leakage around the faucet connector as possible. Some days I'm more successful than others; sometimes I really fail and the thing pops out, spraying water all over me and the kitchen. Even on the best days, I've got a pot under the whole thing catching the perfectly good tap water that's otherwise going down the drain. I have two different black rubber gaskets, the one that comes with the unit and the one that goes to the aerator, and neither work very well. It seems like the threading on one/both sides is "stripped", yet I can't get teflon tape to really help - it just bunches up and/or makes the spray come out the top rather than the sides. I live in an apartment, so replacing the faucet isn't really an option... unless it were to "accidentally" break another way, I suppose... ... nah. But I can replace the connector for the filter, I just don't want the next one to do the same thing a couple months from now. DIY solutions? Recommendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Sounds like you may want something to stay on all the time rather than on/off constantly. http://www.purewaterclub.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=106&products_id=594 There's other options, too- but you may not want to play with plumbing too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pika Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Huh, that's interesting. Any experience with how well warming/softening and shoving the tube onto/into that little outlet works? Seems like it'd be a finicky fit as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Looks to be like a compression fitting to me. I've never done it, but it doesn't look any harder than attaching airline tubing to a gang valve. At least this way you don't have to keep screwing and unscrewing it everytime you want RO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 If you are more comfortable with what you are currently doing, this is a little more firm than pvc: http://www.menards.com/main/lawn-garden/water-systems/watering-irrigation/hose-repair-mending/female-threaded-quick-connect-faucet-adapter/p-1690824-c-8659.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Have that same connector and it sucks. The tubing would be fine by it wouldn't screw in securely and let's say I wasn't happy getting a couple showers at 2 in the morning. Getting a new connector and I'll see if that works. -Duffy Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Just a update on my uninvited shower. I got the new fitting (which is literally what Soothing posted - minus the waste water "back in" connector). http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/chrome-faucet-diverter-valve-1.html in combination with http://www.homedepot.com/p/NEOPERL-Solid-Brass-Dual-Thread-for-3-4-in-Hose-or-Male-55-64-in-Adapter-37-0109-98/202243060?N=5yc1vZc68n worked wonderfully where that plastic POS did exactly what you were showing. The link to the diverter valve shows that ribbed connection but it is actually closer to Soothing's link. Didn't need to warm the tubing at all and it is very easy on and off (as I can't keep it on the whole time/Girlfriend's wishes and gives less room to actually use sink). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pika Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Great, thanks guys! I can't wait to not take showers/do unplanned kitchen cleaning when my shrimp need more water. I'll try to update when I get my parts. Soothing Shrimp and Duff0712 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High5's Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 A little bit of Teflon tape might fix it or maybe an o ring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Yea sometimes you really have to layer on the teflon tape almost to the point where you cant thread it on. Be sure to wrap the tape in the opposite way of the way your threading it in. This keeps the threads from just unwinding your tape job, this will usually help but would be better to use something like soothing showed. They also make options that are semi permanent, anything even a metal connection is going to leak if you put it on and remove it on a daily basis even just every once in awhile. They are not made to do what we make them do with alot of removal lol. Soothing Shrimp 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pika Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 So I haven't been able to get to the hardware store yet, and decided to try the extra-thick Teflon tape method this morning. (Thanks for the extra info Chris, I did get much better results with extra layers of tape! The following is not your fault...) Was going great for a gallon and a half, until... Boyfriend walks into kitchen after just getting out of bed, and at that moment, the connector pops completely off and a nice big jet of cold water sprays him directly in the chest! Unfortunately, I start laughing uncontrollably and say something like "$#*%! I knew that was going to happen!!" Which was maybe not the right reaction to his unplanned Sat morning shower... Needless to say, I'm expected to find time to get to the hardware store today. Update: 3 hardware stores later, and no one in this area has anything in 1-2 parts that will do this. (The specialty plumbing place might, but they're closed) so, I ordered the two-way switch from purewaterclub. Here's hoping for a speedy delivery and a good fit! (One of the guys did say the threading on my connector looked ok, and that it might be my faucet with the issue... Great.) Soothing Shrimp, miwu and metageologist 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 They also make metal fittings to that fit in the strainers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pika Posted September 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2014 Guys, it's PERFECT! Look at that, here it is running, and barely a drip of wasted tap water. No frustrating screwing and unscrewing, and the aerator/regular faucet side works just fine! SO much better and so worth the $10. Soothing Shrimp, chibikaie and Vicente Mcdonnell 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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