Follow These Steps

Steps 1 - 7 of 7Print Project SheetEmail a Friend

• Step One

  

  Cut the supply line. Turn off the main water supply valve. Open the faucet to drain the line. Leave enough room between the escutcheon plate and the cut to allow installation of the fitting. Cut slowly and gently. If it’s out of round, the copper won’t accept the compression fitting and will leak.

• Step Two

  

  Slide the compression nut over the supply pipe. Deburr the pipe with emery cloth (see insert). Slide the nut as far back on the pipe as possible to give yourself room to work.

• Step Three

  

  Place the compression ring over the end of the supply pipe. The ring, also called a ferrule, should completely cover the end of the supply pipe.

• Step Four

  

  Thread the compression valve into the compression nut. The valve should slide squarely and snugly over the ring. Thread the compression valve onto the nut and hand-tighten. If the nut doesn't turn easily, add a tiny drop of oil to the threads. Don't use pipe compound; the fittings don't require it and can actually make the fitting leak.

• Step Five

  

  Tighten (but don't over-tighten) the compression valve to the nut. Finish tightening the nut using one wrench to hold back the valve while keeping it square and another one to turn the nut. Connect the other side in the same manner.

• Step Six

  

  Attach the supply lines to the valve. If you are reattaching the old lines to the new valve, follow the same procedure you used to install the valve. If you are replacing the old supplies with new braided flexible lines, you will have to remove the old supplies from the faucets before you proceed.

• Step Seven

  

  Turn on the main water supply and open the supply valves (see Step 1). Let the water flow through the faucet to clear air in the lines and test the fittings for leaks by feeling the fittings and examining them with a flashlight. Tighten as necessary until the joints are sealed.