positioning ferrule

Step-by-Step

Bend the tubing into position (see Working with Flexible Copper Tubing, Related Projects), and slip on the nut and the ferrule. The ferrule will not go on if the tubing end is bent or less than perfectly round. You may have to sand it with emery cloth to get it to slide on. Smear pipe joint compound on the ferrule and the male threads of the fitting.

tightening nut

Tighten the compression nut with a wrench, forcing the ferrule down into the tubing to secure and seal the connection. If the joint leaks when the water is turned on, tighten the nut a quarter turn at a time until the leak stops. Don?t overtighten the joint -- too much pressure can crush the tubing or crack the nut.

gluing union

Bend the tubing pieces into position (see Working with Flexible Copper Tubing, Related Projects), and slip a nut and a ferrule onto each piece of tubing. Smear pipe joint compound on the ferrules and on the male threads of the union. Slide the pieces together, and hand-tighten the nuts.

wrench tightening

Place one wrench on the union. Use another wrench to tighten each side. Once snug, tighten about a half turn more. Turn on the water, and, if there is a leak, gently tighten more.

 

The compression nut forms a seal by squeezing the ferrule against the copper pipe. Because the copper is a soft metal, the seal can be extremely tight. Still, use pipe joint compound to make sure the seal is watertight. Anchor or support the tubing within 2 feet of either side of the fitting.