Forum Discussion

kcny's avatar
kcny
Explorer
May 28, 2013

Leaking water fittings

This past weekend was my first trip using the city water connection. All seemed well until some 20 hours later I noticed the floor wet under the table - traced back to find the hot water connection on the bathroom sink was leaking!

It was not completely tight, so I hand tightened it, but it still seemed to drip. I had some 1/2" shark-bit caps, so I just cut the line and capped it figuring I would address it when I got home. Then of course i notice it dripping from the shower fitting :h

I just switched to the on-board water and placed towels everywhere to dry things up. I checked the pressure regulator gauge for the city water and it was at 38 pounds - so that should be fine.

Anyone have any suggestions? All the fittings look factory to me: 1/2" grey pvc, silver "pinch clips" on the fittings, plastic screw on female ends go onto plastic male threaded appliance fittings - no gaskets/no pipe dope or thread tape.

I was thinking of maybe getting those shark-bite pre-made flex tubes (like for your house toilet) - they have 1/2" slip on on one end and then a metal female connection with a rubber gasket that goes on the appliance end. Of course they are around $15 each.

7 Replies

Sort By
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    This is exactly why MFG now use nothing but pex tubing w/ Flair-it fittings, they can't leak, and the tubing will not break even when frozen solid.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 28, 2013
    The tubing is called "Qest" and it's the aluminum clamps that cause the problems. They stretch and leak over time. You can replace the crimp connections with fittings that use compression instead and they will hold up fine. I had to do this on a TT I had and I never had another problem.
    The other thing you can do is replace all those aluminum clamps with those made of copper. Some stores will even lend you the special crimp tool to do this.
  • kcny's avatar
    kcny
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    Thanks for the quick tips. Hoping to have this all fixed before our next weekend trip on Father's Day, so maybe I can relax while camping!
  • Bonefish's avatar
    Bonefish
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    I would cut them as close to the clamp and replace the connection as you suggested yourself with Sharkbite fittings. I have used these my self and they work really well on RV connections. Be sure you get the pipe cutter which cuts the pipe end square and clean.
    Critical for a no leak connection.
  • kcny's avatar
    kcny
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    Yeah, a full replacement crossed my mind. What is the proper way to do a plastic-to-plastic connection for this poly to the appliance: I believe NO thread tape. Rubber gasket or some "plastic certified" pipe dope?

    edit - bear, yes the initial leaky fitting was the squeeze fitting itself. The shower one was from the threads
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    Use teflon tape on the threads and retighten the fittings. I had trouble with the hot water side on my bathroom sink, about every third trip it would loosen and then begin leaking. I took everything apart and made sure the threads were clean & dry. I put on teflon tape and tightened up the fitting. Haven't had a problem since.

    If the squeeze fitting is leaking the shark bite is a good way to fix the problem.
  • Ranger_Smith's avatar
    Ranger_Smith
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    That pipe is polybutelene. It is known to do that and there were many lawsuits regarding it. I had a mobile home with it. Took it all out and ran PEX and no more issues.

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,245 PostsLatest Activity: May 12, 2025