Working On Water Lines

[LeeB]

I have a couple projects that need to be done.

1. My water filter is under the sink and the way it is right now is not enough slack to be able to turn the water of completely when I need to change the filter. There is a lever to shut the water off but I cannot turn it all the way off. It hits a water line preventing it from going to a 90* so it be all the way off. So it has to be moved.

2. I need to install a valve before the water pump so I can pump in Anti-Freeze.

I have looked at the water lines and they are hard plastic and I have never seen fittings that they used... Is there a source for the fittings?

Thanks...

[William Willard]

Try Lowe`s or Home Depot -- They are probably 1/2" ID & 5/8" OD -- You can use other fittings, other than what the mfg. used --Look for plastic fitting`s that are gray, with large compression nuts -- The pipe is easy to cut with an utility knife --- Bill Willard

[InPursuit]

It's called P(ita)EX.
It's a LOT easier to do up the fittings out in the open than inside RV cubbyholes.

First is a way to cut the tubing.
(any pvc cutting tool will do)

Second thing is a way to get the old fitting undone:
PEX Decrimping Tool for Copper Crimp Ring sizes 1/2" - 1"

(this allows you to re-use old fittings rather than buying new)

Third is a way to put it all back together:
Superior Tool 07100 Pex Pocket Crimper #8419566 at HardwareAndTools.com

All three (and the copper rings) are available at *most* HD or Lowes. Your toolkit should have the rings and a few couplings etc as a minimum.

[RVDude]

A close up picture of your fittings would help but I'll bet they are standard PEX Cinch type (not to be confused with the standard ring PEX fittings) fittings. The hard translucent tubing is standard PEX tubing and all the fittings are standard PEX fittings. PEX Cinch pictured below.



There are 2 types of PEX clamps. 1) NOT the ones you have but more common in residential application is the solid copper ring type typically called just PEX and 2) the one you have and less common at hardware stores is the PEX Cinch clamps which look sort of like a crimped on hose fitting. A special tool is required to install either PEX type. A PEX Cinch tool costs about $50 and a bag of 10 PEX Cinch clamps are about $8. FYI A standard PEX solid ring tool is in the $150+ range, you really do not want the PEX ring "pocket" type tool unless you can make up all your fittings on a bench vise.

Larger Lowes/Home Depots and most Menards will carry the PEX Cinch crimp tool (looks like a large ratcheted pliers with a funny nose) and most of these stores will have the bag of clamps and all will have the hose and fittings.

[RVDude]

I see InPursuit posted same time as me and perhaps is leading you in the wrong PEX standard ring direction. You'll most likely have PEX Cinch in your RV and not the residential standard PEX Ring. Same fittings and tubing, VERY different clamps. Again

PEX Cinch - a layered metal and more of a standard hose clamp looking clamp.


PEX Ring - a solid copper type ring


I will also very exceedingly strongly suggest NOT to use any PEX REMOVER tool (either the Cinch or standard hard ring remover) tool on your mostly plastic RV fittings - unless you have a new fitting on hand. These remover tools are designed for metal PEX fittings as the cutter is slipped inside the fitting and cuts right through the metal ring or Cinch clamp to the width of the PEX tube itself. Doing this on a plastic fitting will most always destroy the fitting, if in fact it can even get enough pressure to cut the metal ring. Note I am talking about plastic fittings not the ALWAYS plastic PEX tube.

Removing a PEX Cinch clamp on a plastic fitting trying to save the plastic fitting is a pain and requires lots of screwdriver like prying apart of the metal layers of the Cinch clamp and lots of pliers and diagonal cutter action too. Putting on a PEX Cinch clamp is far easier than a PEX solid ring (and often even easier than a worm drive hose clamp) and can be done in the tightest of spaces with ease. Note that PEX stuff must only by used with PEX fittings and tubing. PEX clamps don't have the clamping range of a worm drive hose clamp and must have these exact sized parts to clamp tightly.

[William Willard]

Did they have Pex in 01 ? -- I thought Pex was used later -- Still, you can use the fittings I described, & not have to buy a whole new, expensive tool box -- Bill Willard

[RVDude]

Originally Posted by William Willard

Still, you can use the fittings I described, & not have to buy a whole new, expensive tool box -- Bill Willard

Absolutely!

Adapting among all the different plumbing "standards" is easy. The grey plastic stuff is knife-able and can be plain old hose clamp-able and typically can be found terminated with the many various standard screw on plumbing fittings.

It all depends on how YOU want to do it!

[William Willard]

Having worked in the RV/Park Model business for many years, & most of it in factory warranty, I`ve had to use many methods is repairing water lines with kinks, & staples shot thru them -- I know there are more "professional" ways of repairing the water line, but for a one shot deal, I thought this would be the less challenging, & expensive -- Been retired for awhile, so I know I`m outdated -- Bill Willard

[LeeB]

I will get some pictures as soon as I can... Thanks for your pictures it will help me when I look at mine. I will also check at Lowes (Lowes is close) and see what they have. Thanks for the tip about carrying spares.....

Thanks again

[mahon1993]

My 2000 uses PEX. The best way to cut it is with a pex tubing cutter. It's inexpensive and easy to use. Pex is tough stuff and very difficult to cut clean and square with a utility knife. Lowes Depot has them. There are various fittings you can buy there that don't need a special tool. "Shark" fittings work pretty good also the kind with the big nut are OK except the can take up a lot of room. Don't try to use screw on type hose clamps. They don't work. I know.
Greg

[RVhauler]

There is a new type of fitting (available at Lowes/Home Deot and probably menards and elsewhere) which is simply pressed on over the end of the tube and has fingers which lock onto the pipe/tubing (copper/plex/pvc). These fittings (not cheap) come in various sizes and configurations. They are approved by builders code for water line use in permanent contruction. A tool is also available to remove these fittings from the line if necessary. it costs about a dollar and is reusable. Sure beats using my plex tool in tight areas.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by LeeB

I will get some pictures as soon as I can... Thanks for your pictures it will help me when I look at mine. I will also check at Lowes (Lowes is close) and see what they have. Thanks for the tip about carrying spares.....

Thanks again

Lee,

Are you sure you don't have a winterizing connection in the water bay? Our coach has a hose connection and a valve that must be turned just for the purpose of pumping in the pink stuff.

Where is Rex when you need him? How about it Rex.


Bob

[rex]

OK I'll jump in here. If you have PEX - don't by the tools to crimp it - change to the newer type fittings available at Lowe's and Home Depot. The newer types connections will work on PEX, PVC and copper or any combination of those. They work the same as the air line connections for the air brakes. Be sure and pick up the device used to remove them when you get the new style fittings. Sorry I don't have a picture of these. They come in all sizes and are larger than the original connection types.

Problem with PEX crimp and associated fittings is that if you twist the connection, there is a very good chance it will leak. Only way I have found to correct this leak is a new crimp. Yes I have the tool, bought it long ago but use the newer style fittings now as they are so much easier.

LeeB my valve is also hard to turn off and hits other pipes, however the pipes have just enough flex to move them and turn it off. Moving the filter to a different location is a great idea and I plan on stealing it from you. Thanks!

Just for the record, I don't have a connection to pump the pink stuff in my coach that is connected direct to the water pump. Where I live I just blow the lines out with air and don't use the pink. I do have a bypass type valve that switches water source from city supply to tank. If that is placed in the city position one should be able to use it for the pink stuff but I have never tried that.

[LeeB]

As you can see I have no bypass so I can pump in Anti-Freeze. It also looks like I have Pex's fittings....
RVHauler I think I saw the fittings you are talking about at Lowes

Thank you all so much for your help....