Leaky watering nipples

[Midlandchick]

i just built a watering system and the nipples drip. (Which is great because the chickens learned to use it immediately... but not so great because I am going to have a muddy mess!)
Have I done something wrong? How do I fix this? Some of them are dripping every 4-5 seconds. Some a little less frequent but still dripping. (The pipe is level.)

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Have you checked to make sure the drip is coming from the nipple or where it is screwed into the fitting?
It has been a while since I've used that type but my guess is that you didn't adequately flush the pipe after cutting, reaming and gluing. It just takes a tiny speck or sliver of PVC to prevent the nipple from sealing completely. The first thing I'd do is pull them all, flush the system thoroughly and before you reinstall, back flush each nipple.
Another cause of leaks is excess pressure. If the barrel is full, it is possible the head height is too high.
Is that 1/2" pipe fitted with 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/8" tees?

 

[Midlandchick]

Have you checked to make sure the drip is coming from the nipple or where it is screwed into the fitting?
It has been a while since I've used that type but my guess is that you didn't adequately flush the pipe after cutting, reaming and gluing. It just takes a tiny speck or sliver of PVC to prevent the nipple from sealing completely. The first thing I'd do is pull them all, flush the system thoroughly and before you reinstall, back flush each nipple.
Another cause of leaks is excess pressure. If the barrel is full, it is possible the head height is too high.
Is that 1/2" pipe fitted with 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/8" tees?

I’ll try

Have you checked to make sure the drip is coming from the nipple or where it is screwed into the fitting?
It has been a while since I've used that type but my guess is that you didn't adequately flush the pipe after cutting, reaming and gluing. It just takes a tiny speck or sliver of PVC to prevent the nipple from sealing completely. The first thing I'd do is pull them all, flush the system thoroughly and before you reinstall, back flush each nipple.
Another cause of leaks is excess pressure. If the barrel is full, it is possible the head height is too high.
Is that 1/2" pipe fitted with 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/8" tees?

I’ll try flushing it. Thanks.
I don’t think it’s the pressure because while I was filling the barrel it was dripping immediately. With only an inch or so of water. Above the pipe. Now that I am looking at it better I think maybe the leak is coming from where the red meets the white T. (That part came pre assembled. maybe if I seal that?)

 

[SueT]

Yes try sealing it and tightening the nipples. I have used those type nipples for 2 years in buckets and bottles, and any leaks came from up where they screwed in. We actually put nuts on them inside the containers so we could tighten them. But I don't know if you can do that within the pipe?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I’ll try

I’ll try flushing it. Thanks.
I don’t think it’s the pressure because while I was filling the barrel it was dripping immediately. With only an inch or so of water. Above the pipe. Now that I am looking at it better I think maybe the leak is coming from where the red meets the white T. (That part came pre assembled. maybe if I seal that?)

Ok, I thought you made it. I made a similar but more elaborate system for horizontal nipples. They probably flushed it sufficiently before they shipped it.
Don't use Teflon tape to seal the threads. Get some pipe dope, either in a tube or can with a brush in the lid. Make sure it is for potable water. It is easy to overtighten with Teflon tape and then it is possible to split the female fitting.

 

[Midlandchick]

Ah! Thanks! I will try that!

Ok, I thought you made it. I made a similar but more elaborate system for horizontal nipples. They probably flushed it sufficiently before they shipped it.
Don't use Teflon tape to seal the threads. Get some pipe dope, either in a tube or can with a brush in the lid. Make sure it is for potable water. It is easy to overtighten with Teflon tape and then it is possible to split the female fitting.

I will try t

 

[SueT]

The nuts I used to tighten the nipples inside are from an old car radio...the kind w knobs. The threads are not the normal threads, but much finer....here's one we put in the cap of a plastic bottle. The plastic lid is very thin, and it was leaking before we added the nut: