PEX lines leaking

[firestation12]

Originally Posted by skids

“ Also of note, is the pex lines appear swollen behind the band. This would explain why the OP couldn't make the shark bite fittings work. “

I have a bit of trouble seeing that in the images, but if it is near the clamp ring, could it be caused by the ribs on the fitting? You have provided good info on the crimp systems. I may investigate buying one because I was able (not on purpose) to rotate a pex hose at a water heater bypass fitting when trying to replace a heater element. I was shocked! That was a couple of years ago, it hasn’t leaked a drop, and I have been keeping an eye on it.

Click on the first photo in reply #4, then enlarge it a bit. look at the red pex line running horizontally. The pex is expanded more and more as you look distally from the crimp.

[E Rod]

Originally Posted by lindy46

Here's some pics. Hot line is leaking where the red line coming toward the camera connects. It goes to the bathroom sink. Cold line is the one going to the right to the kitchen sink.

Have you tried to re-crimp the lines Sometimes that’s all it needs

[firestation12]

Originally Posted by E Rod

Have you tried to re-crimp the lines Sometimes that’s all it needs

OP has already fixed the issue

[lindy46]

Just a comment on the quality of RVs being built today. We've had 3 brand new travel trailers since 2014 and all 3 came with issues from the factory. Two were Forest River and the third a Grand Design. We heard that Grand Design was putting out better quality units but we've had more problems with the Grand Design. I've replaced the stove (major gas leak problems), I've replaced the propane regulator and pigtails, water pump was backflowing into fresh water tank when connected to city water, and now the water leaks. And this unit is permanently set up and has only been pulled 60 miles from the dealer to the campground. Grand Design dealer would not come out to do any work and we either did it ourselves or paid a mobile service tech to come to us. I believe one is better off buying a used unit which has had all the bugs resolved. I will never buy a new unit again.

[wiredgeorge]

I bought a 2002 Cougar fifth wheel. To date, no major problems. Why they ever put carpet through the cabin in an RV is beyond me. And the Aqua Magic is also a mystery... someone somewhere must have a tail section that looks like a round bucket? The original mattress was left with the seller and replaced. Lots of things about any RV can be upgraded by quality components but the basic 2002 construction was very solid.

[Third Degree]

Cut that opening bigger. Use the current opening and use it as a template and now you will have two covers for the opening instead of one.

[TNordine]

Originally Posted by Balvar24

Zip ties and hose clamps won't do a thing on Pex tubing.

Either the joints are poorly crimped, poorly fitted, or the tees are damaged. Stainless steel crimp rings are great if properly installed.

Recrimp or make new joints with quality brass fittings.

If there isn't room, you can use Shark Bite style fittings. Some people don't have a lot of faith in these. I am undecided.

Spend a little time on any plumbing forum and you will realize just how poor Sharkbite fitting are. Fine for temp fix or maybe where any leak will be readily noticed. Never in remote places or inside a wall

[CedarCreekWoody]

I'm no expert but I don't think your tubing is PEX. Im not sure what it is called.. That is why you got bad advice on fittings.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by CedarCreekWoody

I'm no expert but I don't think your tubing is PEX. Im not sure what it is called.. That is why you got bad advice on fittings.

You are right Woody! Depending on the direction it was installed, it could be called Xep tubing.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

You are right Woody! Depending on the direction it was installed, it could be called Xep tubing.

So if it was installed upside down you call it xed?

[lindy46]

So I find my leak returns in cold weather. It gets pretty cold under that shower pan and the leak re-occurs if the temp drops into the 30's and I am not running the furnace. With the furnace on, there is a vent under the shower pan which keeps it warm and no leaks! Crazy. So either l run the furnace (instead of my oil radiator) or turn the water off during cold nights.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by lindy46

Got it fixed. Pex lines are the flexible type so sharkbites didn't work. Lines are too fat to fit in the sharkbite. Replaced the plastic tees with brass and used stainless steel hose clamps. Took the front panel off below the shower pan to get more room to get two hands under there, and although not easy, got it done. No more leaks!

PEX lines most certainly do work with shark bite connections. I have several on my 1/2 inch PEX lines in my Alpine

[Javi]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

PEX lines most certainly do work with shark bite connections. I have several on my 1/2 inch PEX lines in my Alpine

Sounds like this is what he's talking about NOT PEX

https://www.recpro.com/rv-pressurize...ntent=Plumbing

[JRTJH]

To follow what Javi posted, looking back at post #28, CedarCreekWoody also commented on the photos in post #4... That tubing does not look like PEX. There are "braided reinforcement fabric weaves" that appear on the exterior of the hose. PEX does not have any "woven fabric" in its construction. I'd suspect the reasons for SharkBite fittings not working and the reasons for the leak are not "PEX related" but rather from using the wrong type of connector on a vinyl reinforced flex hose....

Looks to me like the hose in question is leaking because it doesn't have the correct type clamp rings and/or the fitting is cracked (assuming they are plastic elbows) because of the incorrect installation....

[GHen]

You are right, as well as other posts, that is not PEX even though it looks like it based on color.

[chuckster57]

And for the record, I have used that hose with Flair it fittings. Ain’t easy but can be done. I personally wouldn’t use hose clamps on any pressurized water line.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

And for the record, I have used that hose with Flair it fittings. Ain’t easy but can be done. I personally wouldn’t use hose clamps on any pressurized water line.

Ah c'mon man! Its kind of fun to watch a hose swell right behind that tight little hose clamp! Pop!

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Ah c'mon man! Its kind of fun to watch a hose swell right behind that tight little hose clamp! Pop!

Hmmm, not on the water hose of a '67 Buick Electra 225 when that water's about 250 degrees. Now THAT ain't fun!!

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Hmmm, not on the water hose of a '67 Buick Electra 225 when that water's about 250 degrees. Now THAT ain't fun!!

Automotive radiator hoses and RV pex are totally different. We had a tech “repair” the fresh tank pick up pex with a hose clamp. It was a TH with 130 gal capacity. Customer picked up and loaded up for a weekend including filling both fresh tanks.

Got to the campground and wondered why his underbelly looked like it was leaking. All 130 gallons was soaked in the insulation and dripping.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Automotive radiator hoses and RV pex are totally different. We had a tech “repair” the fresh tank pick up pex with a hose clamp. It was a TH with 130 gal capacity. Customer picked up and loaded up for a weekend including filling both fresh tanks.

Got to the campground and wondered why his underbelly looked like it was leaking. All 130 gallons was soaked in the insulation and dripping.

Yep, I'm aware of the differences in a radiator hose and pex. I was just commenting on hoses bulging/bursting with a hose clamp on the end.