How to Fix a Leaking Street Tee: A Guide

Leaking pipes are a homeowner's nightmare, especially when the leak originates from a specific fitting like a street tee. These fittings, characterized by having one male end and two female ends, are crucial for branching pipelines. Understanding how to fix a leaking street tee allows you to address the problem before water damages your flooring or drywall.

Why Do Street Tees Leak?

Before diving into repairs, identifying the cause is essential. Street tees usually leak due to:

• Degraded Thread Sealant: Over time, the Teflon tape or pipe dope can dry out and crack.
• Corrosion: Metal fittings can corrode, creating pinhole leaks.
• Mechanical Stress: If the pipes are not supported correctly, the stress can loosen the tee.
• Cracks: Overtightening during installation can crack the body of the fitting.

Tools Required for the Job

To successfully learn how to fix a leaking street tee, gather these tools:

• Two pipe wrenches (or adjustable wrenches)
• Wire brush
• Teflon tape (plumber's tape)
• Pipe joint compound (pipe dope)
• Bucket and rags

Step-by-Step Repair Guide

1. Shut Off the Water

Locate the main water shut-off valve for your home or the isolation valve for that specific line. Open a faucet lower than the leak to drain the remaining water from the pipes.

2. Inspect and Attempt to Tighten

Sometimes, the solution to how to fix a leaking street tee is simply torque. Use one wrench to hold the pipe steady and the other to turn the street tee slightly clockwise. Warning: Do not overtighten, as this can crack the fitting or strip the threads. If it moves a quarter turn, turn the water back on to check if the leak stopped.

3. Disassemble and Reseal

If tightening doesn't work, you must reseal the connection.

1. Unscrew the fitting connected to the street tee.
2. Clean the male threads on the pipe and the street tee using a wire brush to remove old tape and gunk.
3. Apply new Teflon tape (wrap clockwise 3-4 times).
4. Apply a thin layer of pipe joint compound over the tape.
5. Reassemble the fittings, ensuring a snug fit.

4. Replacing the Fitting

If you spot a crack in the metal or plastic body of the tee, no amount of tightening will help. You must replace the component entirely. Unscrew the damaged tee and install a new one using the sealing method described above.

Prevention Tips

To avoid researching how to fix a leaking street tee in the future, ensure your pipes are properly supported with brackets to reduce stress on the joints. Additionally, avoid using old, corroded fittings during renovations; always opt for new brass, copper, or galvanized steel components.