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Old 12-21-2020, 03:45 PM   #1
Campdevo
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Low point cap replacement question

Hi all! I believe my hot low point line is leaking from the fitting (see pic). It drips a little making the pump run periodically. Probably because I have overtightened the caps and should have used some thread sealant tape.. so I wanna take care of it and I’m thinking I would like to just replace the fitting and cap with a valve like the link at bottom.

I’m posting because I’m not very familiar working with PEX tube.. what kind of fitting is on there already? and can I adjust it at all. Maybe I can just epoxy putty it as a quick fix... any suggestions or thoughts?

If there isn’t something super easy to be done I’m thinking I’ll cut the tube and install the drain valves and maybe screw clamps.

Thanks!!

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https://www.amazon.com/Camco-22223-D...8594161&sr=8-3
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Old 12-21-2020, 04:07 PM   #2
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You could use what’s shark bites. Sold at lows and Home Depot
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Old 12-21-2020, 06:38 PM   #3
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If the fitting isn’t cracked, then the washer inside has probably failed. I call them “volcano” washers but I’m sure there is a technical name.

You could cut the ends and install “shark bite” (brand) fittings with valves. 1/2” is what your looking for.
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Old 12-21-2020, 07:06 PM   #4
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I installed the SharkBite Polymer 1/2-in PEX Barb Ball Valve when my end caps leaked. A pair were about $10 at Lowes.

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Old 12-21-2020, 08:28 PM   #5
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By the looks of the differing amounts of exposed threads on each line I'd guess you've either crushed the "volcano" washer or lost it. The washers are available at any home improvement store selling pex, you may want to pick up a new cap & a couple washers to have as spares, most all of the pex fittings will have the same washer.
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Old 12-21-2020, 08:47 PM   #6
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A while back, I bought this tool from Amazon, and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Fasteni...%2C347&sr=8-10

The fittings and stainless steel crimp rings are available from Lowes.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/SharkBite-2...ing/1000182823

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Ecopoly-2-P...lve/1002562398

As time goes on, you will discover the tool and some rings, maybe a small assortment of simple fittings, will allow you to make quick and secure repairs. I don't think you will have much luck with a screw type clamp on PEX pipe because it is so hard and won't seal. The crimp tool and those rings exert quite a bit more squeeze than you will ever get with a screw clamp.
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Old 12-22-2020, 05:31 AM   #7
Campdevo
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Thanks for the complete answers! Just what I was looking for, a “Volcano” washer is inside the cap now I understand. I bet it’s just crushed.
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Old 12-22-2020, 06:58 AM   #8
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Here's what I replaced mine with. https://www.amazon.com/Flair-16860-P...3&sr=8-16&th=1

A worm gear clamp will not work on PEX. You can cut off the fitting and use a Shark Bite 1/2" compression fitting with a valve. Use an alcohol prep wipe to wipe off the outside of the pipe about 2" to remove any possible debris. The PEX tool, while cost has come down I still don't own one. First the only PEX fitting in my world are in the camper as our house is all copper supply water. In the camper, the low point drains are the only fittings that the crimper could be used on. The other fittings are in cabinets or areas where the tool won't fit.

Those caps should only be tightened by hand. If you crank them down with pliers you'll most likely crack the cap and they'll never seal again.
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Old 12-22-2020, 07:08 AM   #9
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As a note; you can also use the Flair-it fittings without having to carry tools, clamps and whatnot.. https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing...toreSelection=

I carry an assortment of both Pex fittings, Flair-it along with a bag of Pex clamps and the crimping tool.. I rarely need it myself but I've become several people's momentary best friend because of my stash..
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Old 12-28-2020, 06:26 PM   #10
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I believe what you are referring to as "volcano" washers also called cone washers, are actually a (Elkhart 6435 Swivel Seal)
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Old 12-28-2020, 06:44 PM   #11
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I've used several things on pex but and veered away from the "push on" shark bite fittings until a couple of weeks ago. IMO (unless it develops a leak) THAT is the way to go. Not cheap but quick and easy. Our plumber back home had suggested using them and now I can see why.
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Old 12-31-2020, 09:40 AM   #12
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You could cut those off and install one-touch valves. This may be what previous folks referred to as shark-bite-I'm not sure. We used one touch fittings for everything but hydraulics in industry, they do well with everything from vacuum to 100+ psi air lines. Available at Lowes or Menards, I am tired of messing with pex fittings that are very difficult to take apart so have been gradually replacing with these. Watts brand Aqualock is what Menards sells, my trailer is all 1/2".
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Old 12-31-2020, 10:23 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RK1978 View Post
You could cut those off and install one-touch valves. This may be what previous folks referred to as shark-bite-I'm not sure. We used one touch fittings for everything but hydraulics in industry, they do well with everything from vacuum to 100+ psi air lines. Available at Lowes or Menards, I am tired of messing with pex fittings that are very difficult to take apart so have been gradually replacing with these. Watts brand Aqualock is what Menards sells, my trailer is all 1/2".
It would help if you can provide a link to Amazon or Walmart or Menards
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Old 12-31-2020, 10:56 AM   #14
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It would help if you can provide a link to Amazon or Walmart or Menards

You may want to google both the Aqualock and Shark Bite push fittings. They both work essentially the same way. The selling point for the Aqualock it appears is that it doesn't require a little tool to remove the fitting as the Shark Bite, but, that is what worries me about them. If the little snap on retaining ring pops off could/would they come off? I don't know but you might want to look into the two. Like RK1978 I'm tired of messing with fitting that are a real pain to replace including the SharkBite connections using rings. I've not had any issues with the push type.
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Old 12-31-2020, 03:21 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by bobbecky View Post
A while back, I bought this tool from Amazon, and it works great. https://www.amazon.com/IWISS-Fasteni...%2C347&sr=8-10
thanks for the info... im a bit new to PEX tubing... PVC sure.
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Old 01-01-2021, 12:28 PM   #16
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It appears that you have 1/2 pex, with a 1/2 npt adapter and a 1/2 npt cap. Exactly like a huge majority of travel trailers. You can, as the option i took, remove that cap, use a little Teflon tape and replace the cap with a "1/2 pvc ball valve, 1/2 female npt". It'll thread right on to what you have without cutting anything and also they are generally under 5 dollars at most local hardware stores.
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Old 01-01-2021, 03:09 PM   #17
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I got these for mine:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-1...212S/301921260

if you have the volcano washers in there, those are NOT available at any home center. I searched high and low. So I just screwed that valve on there (with teflon tape) and now I also have a quick valve type drain as well. Should screw right on and you can have the whole problem solved in less than 2 minutes. Been using for over a year on my hot/cold water drains, and just installed on my FW tank last month.
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Old 09-07-2023, 11:50 AM   #18
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PEX vs Quest

FYI - Just went to Lowes and the "plumber" there told me that the fitting is Quest not PEX
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Old 09-07-2023, 01:17 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by CooplaKu View Post
FYI - Just went to Lowes and the "plumber" there told me that the fitting is Quest not PEX

What was the "plumber" referring to? Quest pipe (polybutylene) was banned in 1995 and the OP's trailer is 2017.
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Old 09-07-2023, 06:33 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by CooplaKu View Post
FYI - Just went to Lowes and the "plumber" there told me that the fitting is Quest not PEX
Lowe's carries the brand name "John Guest" fittings in their plumbing department as one selection for "PEX fittings"... Is that possibly what the "Lowe's Plumber" was referring to ??? Guest fittings are "push on fittings" similar to and a competitor of Shark-Bite fittings.
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