Pex Plumbing Rubber Gaskets

[BobJones]

Well, I did get some other things done.

I pulled the cartridges out of the faucets and cleaned them and then lubed the O-Rings - now they work like new. Smooth as silk.

I also properly set the accumulator pressure. I had not done it properly before. I had set it when it was full of water! I saw a video on the 'net and they mentioned that you must set the pressure when empty. To give you an idea, I had it 40 PSI or so, and when empty it was 4 !!

Target now is 36 PSI (2 below pump cut-in pressure) and that was set empty. So that too is done.

Tomorrow I'll go up to the RV place and ask them about the rubber gaskets. Probably better to just ask them what they use when they install a new shower faucet. I just want to be 100% that it's not going to leak since it's in the wall.

[BoJango]

Using cone washers with the supply line sticking through it is risky. I had one a long while back to push back out of the washer. I'm guessing, I didn't know how tight I should have tightened it.

[153stars]

Are these them. 1/2 and 3/8 pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008278B5Y...QDHW294N1R16AQ

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by BoJango

Using cone washers with the supply line sticking through it is risky. I had one a long while back to push back out of the washer. I'm guessing, I didn't know how tight I should have tightened it.

Yes, I wish I knew what to use. It's so hard to see what they were supposed to look like due to their deformation.

Originally Posted by 153stars

Are these them. 1/2 and 3/8 pack

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008278B5Y...QDHW294N1R16AQ

Nope, we saw those earlier. I just picked up two of the Santoprene white cones. I'll try installing them shortly. For all I know, they might even be the OE gaskets? I'll report back on how they feel after I install them.

[BobJones]

The Santoprene cones leak like a sieve. So they are NOT the answer. It's hard to believe no-one has run into this before

I bought two new fittings that look like they *should* work but this means I have to cut the others off and crimp in new ones, in the closet, through the little hole

I sure hope the new fittings work. Otherwise I'm going to have to go to a plumbing outfit and see how they attach to a 1/2 Male NPT outlet with 1/2 PEX. I hate to put plastic back in there, that's for sure.

BTW, I was wrong earlier when I said the outlets on the faucet were 3/4 - they are 1/2"

Here's a picture of what the originals looked like, one that still has its shape and one that is completely mangled.

[BobJones]

...and...of course....there's more to the story yet....

"All Phoenix threaded shanks are 1/2. iron pipe size (IPS). "

IPS is NOT the same as NPT.

"IPS is Iron Pipe Straight thread. It's meant to seal on a washer (like the threads the hose for your toilet or faucets attach to). NPT is a tapered thread, designed to seal on the threads, which is why you put pipe tape on them - to lubricate them and help the threads deform and create a seal.

IPS threads are also a generic name for NPSH or NPSM Threads " American National Straight Pipe Threads""

So...it looks like what I need is a 90 degree with 1/2" PEX on one side and 1/2" IPS Female on the other.

[Bobby F]

Don't feel bad. While sitting here, I decided to finally replace my old water heater bypass that had some issues.

Between the water heater, the water lines teeing in from two directions (both hot and cold from each side), the new bypass valve and hose fittings, and the check valve, I think I have five distinct plumbing threads coming together into a . . . mess.

I do not like to use sealant. Sealant is the lazy man's fix. I used sealant.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

Don't feel bad. While sitting here, I decided to finally replace my old water heater bypass that had some issues.


Between the water heater, the water lines teeing in from two directions (both hot and cold from each side), the new bypass valve and hose fittings, and the check valve, I think I have five distinct plumbing threads coming together into a . . . mess.


I do not like to use sealant. Sealant is the lazy man's fix. I used sealant.

I always had a leak on my bypass due to it being brass and the fittings being plastic. I finally removed it entirely. Noticed a decent improvement in hot pressure too once it was gone.

The only way I could get that thing to seal, even remotely, was to use urethane on the plastic fittings. It worked for a while but then I realized my life would be a lot better without it.

[BobJones]

With respect to my shower faucet and the 1/2 IPS threads.....

What I did was buy this;



It has 1/2 IPS female fittings.

I will cut it in half and then install PEX joiners in the existing PEX line and connect the hose to the PEX.

Hopefully the IPS ends will properly go to the IPS threads on the faucet fixture. By the looks of it, it has standard washers in each fitting......

I just want to be 100% sure that thing is never going to leak since it's behind the wall.

Still can't believe no-one has run into this before

Either someone else came up with a better solution or their seals were not bad, or, more likely, they never bothered to even check the seals.....

THAT would explain why I can't get a fitting or a gasket. It must be a 1/2" PEX to 1/2" Female IPS right-angle fitting. In short, probably as rare as hens teeth.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by BobJones

The only way I could get that thing to seal, even remotely, was to use urethane on the plastic fittings.

I'm jealous of anyone that has Pex. I have the old gray CPVC (I think) lines and fittings.

[153stars]

Pretty sure that's Polybutylene pipe. CPVC can be gray but not very flexible . We run some pressurized. water in 2 " CPVC SCH80 it glues better than PVC, higher temp to psi rating and doesn't sag between hangers like PVC.

Originally Posted by Bobby F

I'm jealous of anyone that has Pex. I have the old gray CPVC (I think) lines and fittings.

[monitormix]

Is this what you need?

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-...-Nut-Lead-Free

They also have a 90degree 1/2" PEX to 1/2"NIP if that is the correct thread pitch.

[monitormix]

[BobJones]

Yes, but in a 90 degree. Didn't know it until you posted it but FIP stands for Female Iron Pipe