PEX pipe and fittings

[hybrid_dw]

Starcraft Antigua 2005, Water manifold made of PEX and those one-time crimp hose clamps leak. See pics below. the black plastic PEX "T" somehow cracked on a diagonal across the intersection and streams water. I go to Home Depot and match the same size PEX "T" with a PEX brass "T". I decide to use "real" hose clamps, you know the worm type adjustable screw so that I can re-use, relocate adjust, etc. Now all three locations where the PEX is clamped over the pipe onto the fitting leak. I have them cranked down beyond tight. WTH? I imagine I should replace the whole manifold due to age but what works best here? Any help?

[hybrid_dw]

rhagfo wrote:

time2roll wrote:
Could have about done all that in threaded brass fittings.
Looks bullet proof. Need to flip that middle valve when in use.

X2

Got it! dont mix the hot cold!
DW

[magicbus]

Thanks. I just remembered that the system on my boat where work was done on the Pex had Shark fittings. I guess I’ll use them for this project.

Dave

[rhagfo]

time2roll wrote:
Could have about done all that in threaded brass fittings.
Looks bullet proof. Need to flip that middle valve when in use.

X2

[drsteve]

myredracer wrote:
"Pexlock" is from Flair-it. The clamps are made from plastic, the same type of plastic as the fitting the OP had split on him. Very little info. that I can find on them. I can't find anything that says the clamps are permitted by code.

Not something I would use. As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat copper PEX rings. A proper PEX crimper can be had for as low as $30 and the rings are dirt cheap.

The plastic rings may or may not be OK, but the plastic tees and elbows are definitely not. The OP is not alone in having issues because of them.

[myredracer]

"Pexlock" is from Flair-it. The clamps are made from plastic, the same type of plastic as the fitting the OP had split on him. Very little info. that I can find on them. I can't find anything that says the clamps are permitted by code.

Not something I would use. As far as I'm concerned, you can't beat copper PEX rings. A proper PEX crimper can be had for as low as $30 and the rings are dirt cheap.

[magicbus]

Does anyone know what size Pexlock would be for the hoses in an RV? Do they measure by ID which I guess is a 1/2 “ or OD?

** On Edit ** I see these are combo fitting/clamps available in pretty much any size so they come in matched sets.

Dave

[hotpepperkid]

in5r wrote:
There are new fittings (clamps) out there for pex now. No special tool required, only a pair of pliers. The clamps are rated for 180 degrees and 100psi if I'm not mistaken. Look up plastic pex clamps. Relatively new I believe. I myself have not tried them, just throwing the info out there. Called pexlock.

I think that is what they used when they the houses in my area

[time2roll]

Could have about done all that in threaded brass fittings.
Looks bullet proof. Need to flip that middle valve when in use.

[maillemaker]

Looks bullet-proof. That's one repair that will never have to be done again.

Steve

[hybrid_dw]

yeah....but no thanks, that uses the same black plastic inserts that leaked which I replaced here!

[in5r]

There are new fittings (clamps) out there for pex now. No special tool required, only a pair of pliers. The clamps are rated for 180 degrees and 100psi if I'm not mistaken. Look up plastic pex clamps. Relatively new I believe. I myself have not tried them, just throwing the info out there. Called pexlock.

[hybrid_dw]

So I replaced the entire manifold of piping, valves and fittings with SharkBite and PEX....heres the before and after, no leaks.
Before:

After:

[mapguy]

hybrid dw wrote:
I plan to try these fixed elbows to replace the plastic swivel elbows. Have to get the threads on the tank wrapped with enough teflon tape to have it leak free and at the correct direction for pipe fit.



I asked HD and Lowes and neither carry Flair-it fittings. That looks like a plan B if this tank connection doesnt work.

For those fixed elbows -use sealing paste like rector seal instead of Teflon tape.

Some Ace Hardware stores have Flair-it fittings....

[hybrid_dw]

I plan to try these fixed elbows to replace the plastic swivel elbows. Have to get the threads on the tank wrapped with enough teflon tape to have it leak free and at the correct direction for pipe fit.



I asked HD and Lowes and neither carry Flair-it fittings. That looks like a plan B if this tank connection doesnt work.