Pipe Repair in RV

[MauryFrench]

Good day, all. After the marvelous help I got with the Water Heater Pilot, now we have a water leak. I found the leak; its in a 'T' of the gray PVC. Is that schedule 80? Anyway, it is in a very tough place to work, so I wonder can I just cut out the 'T' and replace with Food Grade hose and hose clamps?

Also, any thoughts on what size hose that is?

Thanks in advance. I know the proper thing would be to properly replace the pipe, but I just don't see how I can do it.

[mapguy]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Chris,

I do not know if this is the same polybutyline pipe that you mentioned.

My cousin who works as a plumber can not use the older grey tubing--his supply had to go to the local dump.

My brother just got finished having to replace all his grey tubing in his home. It apparently develops "boils" and starts to leak. Insurance does not cover this repair until it actually leaks. (surprize surprize?)_

There is a web site to place claims against the maker of the pipe as part of a class action suit in North America.

Chris Bryant wrote:
I will defend the polybutylene tubing itself- I have never seen the tubing fail, only the fittings, and I've never had a problem with systems using copper fittings with copper crimp rings. The plastic fittings were bad, along with very poor installation- both leaving too little tubing for expansion/contraction, and poorly calibrated crimpers used on aluminum rings.

Personally, I agree with Don on the PB -get rid of it as it has the potential to fail without warning. PEX is a much more reliable system that is fairly easy to work with. Square cuts are imperative with any brand push on fitting like Sharkbite.

Conversely, Sharkbite and other fittings can be used with PB but a sleeve is sometimes needed to work properly. Make sure you research the PB compatibility before installing IMO.

[pianotuna]

Hi Chris,

I do not know if this is the same polybutyline pipe that you mentioned.

My cousin who works as a plumber can not use the older grey tubing--his supply had to go to the local dump.

My brother just got finished having to replace all his grey tubing in his home. It apparently develops "boils" and starts to leak. Insurance does not cover this repair until it actually leaks. (surprize surprize?)_

There is a web site to place claims against the maker of the pipe as part of a class action suit in North America.

Chris Bryant wrote:
I will defend the polybutylene tubing itself- I have never seen the tubing fail, only the fittings, and I've never had a problem with systems using copper fittings with copper crimp rings. The plastic fittings were bad, along with very poor installation- both leaving too little tubing for expansion/contraction, and poorly calibrated crimpers used on aluminum rings.

[mchero]

I have replaced some of my copper in the house with Pex & sharkbite fittings. The big problem I had was I was not pushing the pipe into the sharkbite far enough.

When I 1st pressurized the system ALL my sharkbites where dripping! I realized my mistake, shut off the water & reseated the sharkbites. Repressurized and no leaks. I was easily able to use the sharkbites to transition from copper to pex.

If I were going to install PEX in my MH I'd look for the straight sections of pex. When I installed PEX in the house the pipe is coiled up & getting the pipe straightened out is a real P.I.T.A.

[Chris_Bryant]

If you want to use a crimp style, I prefer the oetiker type-

Lowes has these, and one small crimper does all sizes.

The problem is finding the rings for polybutylene- for all types of crimp rings the rings are different between poly and pex, but the crimping tools are the same.

[MauryFrench]

Chris,

As far as I know, my polybutylene hasn't leaked up til now, 23 years later. I haven't had the trailer that long. But, you are in Florida, I am in Texas. I bet they do have more problems in the northern areas.

Now, If I was to trade apples for apples so to speak, would I have to purchase a special crimp tool for the brass or aluminum rings?

[Chris_Bryant]

I will defend the polybutylene tubing itself- I have never seen the tubing fail, only the fittings, and I've never had a problem with systems using copper fittings with copper crimp rings. The plastic fittings were bad, along with very poor installation- both leaving too little tubing for expansion/contraction, and poorly calibrated crimpers used on aluminum rings.

[MauryFrench]

Interesting conversation. One poster at the Airstream site stated you cannot use sharkbite fittings with PVC. I will be connecting 3 PVCs to a T similar to the one in the picture, if possible.

Have you guys and dolls used the gray PVC with Sharkbite fittings before?

mlts22 wrote:
Read this note before installing Sharkbite fittings. There are some better alternatives out there, one is similar, but made out of plastic and doesn't depend on a single O-ring to keep your pipes from leaking.

The upside is that Sharkbites are easy to use, and don't require expensive, specialized tools to install.

[mlts22]

Read this note before installing Sharkbite fittings. There are some better alternatives out there, one is similar, but made out of plastic and doesn't depend on a single O-ring to keep your pipes from leaking.

The upside is that Sharkbites are easy to use, and don't require expensive, specialized tools to install.

[MauryFrench]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Luckily I already have a pipe cutter than I can use. I will look at the two different options at Home Depot tomorrow.

[Almot]

MauryFrench wrote:
Ooh, I forgot about the sharkbite fittings. I will look at those and the PEX. I cannot quite see myself refitting the whole trailer just yet though. That would be a project.

There appears to be 2 "schools of thought" in this matter: Pex + Sharkbite or braided vinyl hose + steel hose clamps. Whatever is easier for you.

PS: it has to be braided vinyl all the way - I don't think you can just join vinyl and Pex together, not with a hose clamp for sure.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Sooner or later the grey has got to go. Better to do it before it causes serious water damage.

[handye9]

gbopp wrote:
Definitely use SharkBite Fittings and Pex.

Ditto on the sharkbite. You may want to invest in a decent tubing cutter also. Sharkbite fittings work better with smooth straight cuts on the tubing.

[gbopp]

Definitely use SharkBite Fittings and Pex.

[MauryFrench]

Ooh, I forgot about the sharkbite fittings. I will look at those and the PEX. I cannot quite see myself refitting the whole trailer just yet though. That would be a project.