First, let me say the advice I've received thus far has been spot on, and is greatly appreciated.

I recently replaced my main shutoff valve and surrounging fittings, using non-hardening pipe dope to seal all connections. Over the course of the first couple of days I watched with disappointment as water found it's way through the dope and out into the light of day in several locations. I took the pieces apart a couple of days ago, re-cleaned the fittings and re-assembled, making sure to get everything tight. Today I noticed more seepage.
• When working with galvanized pipe, outside, what is the best thing to use to seal connections? And what, if any, tips or tricks can I employ to ensure long-lasting, water-tight connections?

Thanks in advance!

Galvanized pipe can be frustrating, I know.

I have a couple of thoughts on your seepage problem.

1. Were the threads damaged in any way? Did you tighten it, even a little, with the threads misaligned? Was the pipe rolling around in a toolbox for years? Anything that could account for some kind of damage?

If not,

2. Are you really tightening it down enough? Some people are nervous to over tighten the fittings.

3. On the other hand, did you go medieval on it and tighten it so much as to create a hairline crack in the fittings? That isn't too common, but some people could understandably think that tighter is better - to the extreme.

4. Are both fittings new or are you connecting a new piece to an old fitting? Now of course, unless you replaced the entire water line, somewhere old has to connect to new, but your old fitting might be in bad enough shape that it should be replaced too.

5. Finally, the pipe dope should be liberally smeared around the male end threads. Make sure it gets down in between the ridges too. Pipe dope should go from the tip of the threads, all the way up, even covering threads that won't make it into the receiving fitting.

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Current issue(s):
• Definate seepage @ 1
• Apparent seepage @ 2 (I suppose it's possible that water from 1 has dripped down along pipe and accumulated at 2)

1. All parts between 1 & 3 are new. Old galvanized @ 1 had minor corrosion at opening, but threads appeared to be intact. No cross-threading ocurred during assembly.

2. I thought T @ 1 was tight. Really not sure I could get another full turn out of it.

3. So far, have been careful not to go medieval.

4. See #1. Old pipe @ 1 is galvanized. Old pipe @ 3 is brass.

5. Obviously, I need to redo connection @ 1. Thinking now I should bite the bullet and replace old pipe @ 1, too. I'll need to remove sheetrock inside garage to get at other end of that. C'est la vie.

If my responses and/or picture inspire additional feedback, please let me know. Otherwise, I'll plan on posting status tomorrow.

Thanks!