hi all, I need to do some modifications to my fresh water system I see that there is now plastic version of the PEX fittings out there. If one had choice, what's better, the "push and turn" fittings, or PEX, and which PEX, plastic or brass? thanks eh

i like the " flair it" fittings

I do not have any hard copper in the system, so flair fittings are out~

Shark Bite fittings work really well for PEX and copper to PEX.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

I have used both plastic and brass. The brass Sharkbite fittings hold great. I use a plastic Sharkbite fitting in the drain on my hot water heater with a piece of pex out of it so I can avoid the splashing. The pex does not leak when installed in the plastic fitting but it easily pulls out without use of the disassembly tool that is required on the brass fittings. If you are wanting a permanent connection (which can be taken apart with the special tool) I would definitely use the brass fittings even though they are fairly expensive.

plumbing question - PEX fittings; brass vs plastic

23 Replies

Wet_Coast
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I stopped by Home Depot last night on the way home to look at the rack-o-fittings. Turns out the plastic PEX are only 10 or 20 cents cheaper than the brass versions. The Flare-it or Watts is what the carry were surprisingly more expensive than the PEX.

I think it's wise to carry a Sharkbite in the "kit" as well and it looks like PEX brass is the winner.
riggsp
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I had to do an emergency repair on our last trip and used a plastic sharkbite connector...I noticed that the connector would very easily disconnect just handling it before the system was pressurized...I was in a bind to fix it at the time, so I made sure it was properly connected before I turned the water back on, and it held...now that I'm home, I'll make a permanent repair with either a brass sharkbite (none available when I made the repair) or a pex connector with the new type clamp ring...the original sharkbite brass fittings are great for repairs and I've used them with no problems, and the plastic one is probably fine once pressure from the water supply has been applied, but I don't want to chance it.
D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Wet Coast wrote:
I do not have any hard copper in the system, so flair fittings are out~

Flair-It fittings are a brand of plumbing fittings that work on PEX and copper. They are plastic...push on fittings.

Sharkbite (Home Depot), Gatorbites (Lowes) are brass push on fittings that work on PEX and copper....more expensive

The Flare-It Pro, push on fittings are not recommended for RV use, the Flair-It and Flair-It Plus are recommended for RV and Marine systems using PEX pipe and while you do push the pipe onto the fittings they use a nut to seal the joint.

They are not push on fittings like Sea Tech, Shark Bite and the like.

They do have fittings that adapt to copper and IPS treaded pipe.
Gemstone
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I use the stainless steel PEX crimp rings with my PEX, complete house re-plumb and anywhere I can get the crimp tool to fit in the RV. Done right they will never fail, and I've found much cheaper than shark bite fittings, even considering the purchase of the crimp tool.

Regards
Gemstone
westend
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
I have the PEX tool, so that is not an issue
If you have a good crimping tool, using the specialty barbed brass PEX fittings is probably the most durable way to go.
I see OB has you under his wing and that is not a bad thing, the guy really knows his stuff.

Good luck on the plumbing!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2014
pnichols wrote:
Old-Biscuit,

Thanks a whole lot for your outstanding links ... much appreciated!

I'll order some spares from your links and carry them along with our other RV emergency provisions. This summer we've been part-time camping in our back yard in the RV and the break happened here ... it's a good thing it didn't happen out in the middle of nowhere.

By the way, are you camping or living in Verde Valley? Years ago a friend of mine recommended Verde Valley as a place to retire. We didn't take him up on it, but I sure would like to visit there sometime to see what we missed during one of our RV trips to AZ!

Sent you a PM
Wet_Coast
Explorer
Aug 12, 2014
well, great input all!

Seems plastic PEX fittings are out. I had no idea of the trade name for the "push and turn". I now know they are Flare-its.

I did use a couple of SharkBites to tie my water filter to the rest of the system. I was concerned with the weight of them with all of the rough roads I travel. The plan is to get them out of there this go round of "mods".

I will price out the brass PEX fittings and compare to the Flare-Its. I have the PEX tool, so that is not an issue. Nice thing about the Flare-its that i can see is with a few extra fittings in the "hardware store" I keep in the basement, I can either field repair or bypass just about anything in the system. Thanks all.

R
Me_Again
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2014
Both our boat and trailer have Flair-it fittings. The shark bite fittings rely on O-rings. We all know what happens to O-rings as the age? No way will I introduce one into my systems. They are quick and dirty, but not something I want used in a hinden spot with limited access.

Flair-it fitting will not pull apart and are hard to get apart even when one wants to!

Chris
pnichols
Explorer II
Aug 12, 2014
Old-Biscuit,

Thanks a whole lot for your outstanding links ... much appreciated!

I'll order some spares from your links and carry them along with our other RV emergency provisions. This summer we've been part-time camping in our back yard in the RV and the break happened here ... it's a good thing it didn't happen out in the middle of nowhere.

By the way, are you camping or living in Verde Valley? Years ago a friend of mine recommended Verde Valley as a place to retire. We didn't take him up on it, but I sure would like to visit there sometime to see what we missed during one of our RV trips to AZ!
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 12, 2014
pnichols wrote:
Speaking of RV water fittings, what are those white and black fittings for RV water pumps where one side screws onto the pump's inlets/outlets and the other side is push-on for the plastic hose coming from the freshwater tank?

One of those on the flexible plastic fresh water line feeding our RV's water pump broke and I haven't been able to find that plastic adapter/coupler anywhere.

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