Homeowner special....defect or just informational?

[tneumann]

I have seen these a lot..I used to see them in the Phoenix area utilized for supplying water to the swampers....this one has been tapped for the ice maker...do you guys generally write this up as a defect or something to keep an eye on? I have never seen one that wasn't leaking...but this one looks fairly new...my bro n law says he didn't do it I'm not sure I believe him....

[gbeaumont]

Hi to all,

Tony, like yourself I have never seen one that didn't leak at some point, personally I loath the things, I would write it up as an area for monitoring in future.

Regards

Gerry

[Brian E. Kelly]

If it is not leaking when I inspect it then I do not write it up. I have not seen a piping system yet that will not leak. If you do not believe me, open the yellow pages to plumbers.

[bemelander]

Tony,
If its not leaking I don't report. I may give a verbal to the client and explain what it feeds but that's it.
I have two of these valve one is about 18 years old, feed the whole house humidifier, was turned of 5 years age, never leaked. The other I installed for the ice maker 5 years ago, never leaked.

Bill

[JLilly]

I've installed a bunch of those things going to furnace mounted humidifiers. The saddle valve comes with the humidifier usually. I wouldn't call it a problem, just monitor. They dont usually leak if you make sure the packing on the stem is tight and clean the surface of the pipe well before tightening it down.

[jkormos]

The saddle valve will leak, just when. Although if it is not leaking now, it needs to be monitored, not a best practice, but should recommend to budget for future replacement.

Joe

[mnye]

I would advise that it be monitored, I have worked in commercial buildings where these were installed, and over time they can cause problems. I will not use them in my home.

Mike

[pdickerson]

When I see them, I report that they should be monitored. I often see what appears to be galvanic corrosion on them.