Pex Pressure Connections...grrrr...

[Sopper]

350+ miles from home and I somehow loosen one of the pressure connections between the cold water hoses leading to the water heater. I use a water pressure regulator connection on the fresh / shore hose so that is not likely the cause. Plenty of construction on the way to Grand Marais, MN and a packed cabinet is likely the culprit.

I tried to spot repair it with limited supplies from a hometown hardware store. Needless to say, 'wader-mender' and teflon tape don't do much on a pressure connection...

Monday morning she goes to the local RV center to have this leak repaired. Bleh...

[ShrimpBurrito]

Jason,

I got an error when I tried to look at your photo, but you can make 1/2" (the size in the TM) PEX connections with Sharkbite connectors, which can be found at Home Depot. If you want to save yourself the hassle/expense of going to a repair shop, go buy 2 couplers and a short piece of PEX, and you can do the repair yourself in about 5 min. If you're not familiar with Sharkbite, they are very easily to use -- simply slide the PEX into the connector and you're done. No tools. And it will be a permanent repair. I have a few Sharkbite connectors in my TM.

PEX can be cut with a knife, or more easily with a pair of PVC pipe cutters (a $10-$20 tool).

Dave

[davlin]

Ditto what Shrimpburrito said. And Dave, you must not be able to see the picture because you have "European Internet." Came through fine for me.

The Other Dave

[oldstick]

Will a regular radiator hose clamp (the screw down type) work on one of these elbows? At least temporarily?

[tentcamper]

I heard that they work, but I had no luck. I know for sure a shark bite type connector will work. Which you could replace the entire 1/2" elbow. I replace a Tee with a shark bite type connector.

[davlin]

Originally Posted by oldstick

Will a regular radiator hose clamp (the screw down type) work on one of these elbows? At least temporarily?

The definitive answer is: "maybe."

It would depend upon where the fitting was leaking from, how well you could get the clamp in the right place, etc, etc. It would be an emergency/temporary fix at best, and could likely damage the fitting for a more permanent repair. Since it's really best just to cut the old (leaking) fitting out and replace it, that's not a big consideration.

Unless you're going to be doing a LOT of PEX fittings, it really makes more sense to go with the Sharkbite fittings. They are more expensive, but the cool thing about them is that they are reusable, which can be a big plus if you later want to disassemble a line for some reason.

Dave

[Sopper]

Well....the RV center here in Rochester fixed the connection and also replaced the anode rod which was practically non-existent. I pick her back up tomorrow and will see what the monetary damage is...