Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "What does S.J. stand for?"
A. S.J. is known as "slip joint" to some. It is the same size as 1/2" female thread that comes with many faucets and is standard 1/2" pipe thread, but it is non-tapered. (Be aware, though, that the SJ flexes might not work well on threaded PVC fittings, as the wall of the PVC fittings might be too thick.)
Q. "Should I use thread sealant (tape or dope) when installing a braided flex line?"
A. We do not recommend using any extra thread sealant on the male threads that you're going to be attaching these flexes to; the seal is made on the rubber washer that is within the nut of the flex, and any pipe sealant can actually prevent a proper watertight seal.
Q. "What tools will I need to use to install my braided water flex line?"
A. All you'll really need is a simple crescent wrench, and a towel to mop up any drips that might leak from the valve. Just finger tight, and a quarter-turn more should do it. However, make sure to test for leaks by slowly turning your water stop back on; if you see any drips, slowly tighten the flex line's nut little by little until the leak stops.
Q. "I'd like longer stainless flexes than you show. Are they available?"
A. You can easily connect these stainless steel flexes together with couplings. With the o.d. models you need to use a compression coupling. It has compression male fittings on both sides and you simply put your flex on both sides. These couplings also work well for adapting sizes such as going from 1/4" flex to 3/8" flexes and 3/8" flex to 1/2" flexes. For the s.j. flexes you can use brass or stainless steel regular "close" nipples, all of which can be purchased on our page. Be sure not to use any PTFE or Teflon™ thread sealing tape or pipe dope when connecting two flexes using these fittings.
Q. "What about electrolysis and stainless steel?"
A. Using stainless steel connectors can be somewhat helpful. Stainless (like brass) is an alloy metal. The electrical characteristics of alloys seem to make them a bit less prone to dielectric action than pure metals such as copper or iron. The more non-corrosive the alloy components (stainless for example has nickel - a very non corrosive metal) and the wider the electrical potentials of the components of the alloy, the less dielectric problem there seems to be. The alloy materials don't prevent the results of dielectric action, they just spread it over a greater area. There is less corrosion build up at the point of connection with stainless steel, than is seen when a copper adapter fitting is attached to a galvanized nipple or fitting.
Q. "I'm not clear what the difference is between standard washing machine hose connectors and S.J.?"
A. The standard washing machine hose connectors are 3/4" female hose threads, exactly like what is used outside for garden hose threads.. S.J. is simply 1/2" standard pipe thread - female threaded that fits onto most standard 1/2" male pipe threads. (SJ connectors might not work well on threaded PVC fittings, which may sometimes be too thick.) The only difference is that, unlike standard fittings that screw onto 1/2" male pipe threads, s.j. isn't tapered. There's no need to use pipe compound or Teflon™ (PTFE) tape to help make the seal on the threads, because the rubber/neoprene cone will make the seal instead against the inside rim of the threads that you are attaching the connector onto.
Q. "I'm hearing a lot about lead-free these days. What does that have to do with plumbing products and how does the new lead-free legislation affect me?"
A. Basically, the laws implemented Jan. 1st, 2014 require plumbing products that come in contact with drinking water to be "essentially lead free" (less than 0.25% weighted average). For further information about how the law determines what is "lead free", rules regarding which plumbing products must be "lead free", and who these laws will affect, please view our page.
