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fairlaniac's avatar
fairlaniac
Explorer
Apr 22, 2021

Is the "Flexpex" water tubing the same as Pex/Sharkbite?

I have a RV at a beach trailer park/campground near Bethany Beach, DE. I am 3 hours away from it. During our last visit in November I noticed the on board water heater was leaking. It appears on a quick look it had rusted through. I have a 30 gallon electric water heater I use during the spring and summer when the campground water is running. I use the 6 gallon onboard for visits between Oct-Apr. So I really didn't get much info on the onboard heater because we noticed it as we were getting ready to leave back in November. I plan to go down in a week or two to check things out and decide which onboard propane heater to get. In the mean time water is on at the park and I will utilize my 30 gallon heater. Sorry for the long lead in.

I want to bypass my 6 gallon heater and pull it out. I want to simply cut the incoming 1/2" line, cut the outgoing 1/2" line and use two Pex/Sharkbite elbows and a piece of 1/2" tubing to bypass the heater and later in the summer I will replace the heater. So per my title question. Is the "Flexpex" water tubing the same as Pex/Sharkbite?

See image or link



http://www.fairlanet.com/images/rv1.jpg

Thanks,
  • If your water heater already has a bypass system for winterizing you may be most of the way done. Disconnect the water heater fittings and cap them for future use if you decide add another water heater. Open the water heater bypass valve and move on.

    No reason to destroy the plumbing that may come in handy later for you or a future owner if you would sell.
  • I used a sharkbite fixture fitting the other day in a residential application. Replaced an outside faucet. It took longer to tape the faucet and the bushing than to set the sharkbite. Amazing technology and I like it!