Pex, Sharkbite, Watts, leaks

[Jfrano]

Yes, so inevitably when doing plumbing you’re hit with these issues. So adding a water filter. Went to add just after the pump, had ordered some pump connectors? Which are typically not available at HD or
Lowe’s and I got the wrong kind. O ring male and 1/2 inch female
Just after pump.
So I put it all pack together as original and
The pipes leak at the plastic connectors . Some what new to the Pex world.

- Can you reconnect a pex pipe or will it leak from not having a smooth surface.
- which provides a longer and problem free life Brass push to connect connectors Or
Plastic, that boat is equipped With.

Thanks

 

[Brian98133]

Having been a journeyman plumber for many years, and now owning a plumbing company... this question is right in my wheelhouse, to be nautically ironic.

First, it's unclear what connectors you purchased? Were they purchased at Lowes or HD? Or... did you simply not find what you were hoping for, and therefore just went to reinstall the fittings you disassembled? If you purchased something, you can send me the item number and I'll look up what you bought and give you my opinion.

First, just as an FYI... you'll be hard-pressed to find a good plumber that will endorse any push-to-connect fitting. I simply would not use one on my boat for one main reason: The vibration. These kind of fittings have a reverse-binding ring that keeps the pipe from pushing itself out of the fitting. These rings are 'iffy' in static situations, such as in home plumbing. In an application where the piping will be vibrating when underway... the binding ring will eventually wear the PEX down leading to a failure. I've seen this first-hand in my brother's RV.

Bottom line, these fittings are for the DIY market. But they are admittedly great at a short-term solution to an emergency, as long as you replace it with a proper fitting thereafter.

Regarding the question "can you reconnect a PEX pipe"... I could go on for paragraphs. Basically, the answer is 'no'. Mainly because the only way to disassemble a proper PEX connection is to cut it apart. Therefore, there is no way to simply 'reconnect' it. You would have to get a new fitting with it's proper sleeve and put it together using that brand's tool.

What I don't know is are you dealing with PEX-A, or PEX-B? They are not interchangeable, and you have to know which one you have before deciding which fittings to use. I'm not at my boat now, but if memory serves, my 2020 R23 has PEX-A, which has a 'cold-expanded' fitting and sleeve.

While I am against using push-to-connect fittings, if you felt you had no other option, I would consider the plastic version over the brass. The brass used in standard P-2-C fittings is marginal, and not a good fit in saltwater situations. There is not a bronze version of P-2-C fittings of which I am aware.

I've only got 35+ years in this field... so take this with a grain of salt 😉

 

[BO-J]

The pex piping on my 2018 R27 from the factory are push on. I have had one of them apart and have put them back together without a leak.

 

[Brian98133]

I stand corrected: Upon looking at the pics I have of my build (when I toured the factory and saw my boat being made), I saw that I have plastic push-to-connect (p2c) fittings on the PEX.

I have to remind myself we're not talking about higher pressure situations, and that the system on a boat is only pressurized when being used. So, with some humility, I am backing down on my 'anti-p2c' stance. :mrgreen:

As to removing and reinstalling p2c fittings... A couple things to know: There are a couple of brands that can be removed with their respective 'removal tool'. This tool compresses the reverse-binding ring so the fitting can be removed without damage to the surface of the PEX. Sharkbite is an example of this.

However, if they used a brand of p2c fittings that are not designed to be removed, then know this: If you twist and pull hard enough, they can be removed without a tool. However, you take the chance that the reverse-binding ring will scratch the pipe surface which will create a leak when you put it back on because the o-ring needs a fairly smooth surface on which to seal. It's a 50/50 crap-shoot as to if it will reseal or not.

If, upon pulling and twisting, you get a fitting off the pipe, inspect the surface of the pipe to see if you want to take the chance on reinstalling the old fitting. Also, there is a good chance that the reverse-binding ring may have been deformed in a way that can make the reused fitting 'weaker', meaning the ring may not 'bite' the surface as strongly. :shock:

If you can find plastic p2c fittings, I would recommend just replacing them as a matter of precaution.