Community Forums

GuyG · 07-03-2020, 09:26 AM

I'm replacing the kitchen faucet with a Peerless. There is no difference in the old and new faucets except that the original faucet's water inlets are plastic while the Peerless is brass. Same dimensions (diameter, length, threads, etc.).

The cold water connection made up fine. Really tight working space but otherwise ended up with a leak-free connection.

The hot water line not so much. Had a lot of trouble lining up the threads and may have stripped the threads on the connector. It is plastic and it didn't hurt the threads on the faucet

Whatever happened, it leaks like a sieve.

Because of the tight working space, etc., I want to try and replace part of the hot water line and the connector. I found this sharkbite assembly that would be perfect.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/SharkBit...E&gclsrc=aw.ds

My problem is I can't identify the water line. I'm sure it's not PEX but that's all I'm sure of. And, of course, I can't be certain of the diameter to determine if the sharkbite is going to fit.

Here's a picture of the water line. All I can make out is that it has a label that reads "potable hot cold water."

I measured it with a dial-type caliper and get 5/8-inches diameter. I don't know, since I can't determine what kind of piping it is, if it would be measured the same as copper pipe. I can't see any kind of labeling on the pipe that indicates if it might be sized like copper tubing (CTS).

If it comes down to it, I can go ahead and cut the pipe out of there and then look for a fitting that will work, but I'd kinda like to determine before i start cutting stuff away.

As always, looking for help from some of the best-informed / experienced RV'ers in the world.

And I'm not just blowing hot air. Thanks in advance.

fletch460 · 07-03-2020, 09:38 AM

It looks like CVPC for hot water. Dont recall seeing CVPC in MH, but that dont mean much

Gary RVRoamer · 07-03-2020, 10:14 AM

Looks more flexible than CPVC, i.e. it's tubing rather than pipe. CPVC is fairly rigid. And its definitely not polybutlene, so I'd vote for Pex or Pex-compatible. You aren't gambling a lot of $ if you buy pex and it doesn't seal. Some kits even have adapter inserts for multiple tubing types.

If the Pex-compatible fittings don't work, try the Flare-It brand compression fittings.

This web page may help identify it:
https://www.freshwatersystems.com/bl...tic-water-pipe

Skip426 · 07-03-2020, 10:31 AM

OK, tubing is measured ID ( Inside Diameter ) . So your 5/8" OD is 1/2" CTS and fittings will be listed as for 1/2" .

Second point; the connectors have a replaceable tapered seal ring that you may have torn during your struggles . They're $0.40 each at the RV stores.

You may want to try a new seal first.

Skip426 · 07-03-2020, 11:05 AM

FYI: The PEX name on the piping only occurs every 2/3' of pipe .
And after an argument with my DW, who wanted a particular tap set in both the kitchen and bath , and me saying they won't fit the plumbing ; and she saying ;

" Couldn't you just change the plumbing , so I can have the tap set I WANT !"

$80 CD later , " happy wife .... " you know the rest.

GuyG · 07-03-2020, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

FYI: The PEX name on the piping only occurs every 2/3' of pipe .
And after an argument with my DW, who wanted a particular tap set in both the kitchen and bath , and me saying they won't fit the plumbing ; and she saying ;

" Couldn't you just change the plumbing , so I can have the tap set I WANT !"

$80 CD later , " happy wife .... " you know the rest.

Roger that, for sure. I thought the original faucet was fine. Those pictures really helped, Skip. I can't bend the pipe down enough to get a look at it but I took the faucet out and can see and reach it through the hole(s) in the counter.

Skip426 · 07-03-2020, 11:31 AM

BTW: The RV part store , that I deal at , keeps the seals hidden behind the counter; they say those parts just disappear if on display.

I've got 4 in my tool box.

That I paid for LOL .

HDGoose · 07-03-2020, 11:31 AM

My first "plumbing" lesson I learned was to put the pressure regulator on from the campground feed. First time out my wife was at the sink and needed up with the faucet in her hand the water hitting the ceiling! As soon as we got home, I went to the a hardware place and bought a quality faucet and all is well.

Of course now she wants a different sink...

GuyG · 07-03-2020, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Looks more flexible than CPVC, i.e. it's tubing rather than pipe. CPVC is fairly rigid. And its definitely not polybutlene, so I'd vote for Pex or Pex-compatible. You aren't gambling a lot of $ if you buy pex and it doesn't seal. Some kits even have adapter inserts for multiple tubing types.

If the Pex-compatible fittings don't work, try the Flare-It brand compression fittings.

This web page may help identify it:
https://www.freshwatersystems.com/bl...tic-water-pipe

Good info, Gary. I'm going to spend a little more time trying to find a piece somewhere that has a name on it. Failing that, or maybe even if I succeed, I am leaning toward the sharkbite assembly that includes the faucet inlet connection.

As it is now, the faucet connections are situated so that I can only feel the connection. And removing the sink to get a better look is not an option I want to consider right now. And I thought this was going to be a one morning project

.

I guess it could be CPVC; it's not all that flexible. It's kind of hard to tell how flexible because the way it's made up, the runs under the sink are very short, so, of course, not all that flexible.

Thanks again for your input and for the link. Very informative.

GuyG · 07-03-2020, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDGoose

My first "plumbing" lesson I learned was to put the pressure regulator on from the campground feed. First time out my wife was at the sink and needed up with the faucet in her hand the water hitting the ceiling! As soon as we got home, I went to the a hardware place and bought a quality faucet and all is well.

Of course now she wants a different sink...

Of course. As Skip said, "happy wife is ..."

GuyG · 07-03-2020, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

BTW: The RV part store , that I deal at , keeps the seals hidden behind the counter; they say those parts just disappear if on display.

I've got 4 in my tool box.

That I paid for LOL .

Skip, do you have a part name or number? I've googled every way from Sunday and can't find anything that looks like that. I may have to make a trip after the 4th to see if I can find them.

It's not really holding me up, though. My real project is re-sealing the roof and all of its "appurtenances." The faucet was going to be an early morning project while waiting for the sun to move away from my roof. Ha!

Guy

Piros1 · 07-04-2020, 01:46 AM

Your tubing is the same as the blue or red PEX tubing you see at Lowe’s or Home Depot and local hardware stores. If you closely you can see that your fittings are held on by a PEX crimp connector. All you need to do is cut your old fitting off and take it with you to match the tube. I would recommend as stated above to first check to be sure you don’t just have a bad seal at the fitting, if that is the issue it would save some time and hassle of cutting the tubing. My guess from looking at the photo is you have 1/2” ID tubing.

GuyG · 07-04-2020, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piros1

Your tubing is the same as the blue or red PEX tubing you see at Lowe’s or Home Depot and local hardware stores. If you closely you can see that your fittings are held on by a PEX crimp connector. All you need to do is cut your old fitting off and take it with you to match the tube. I would recommend as stated above to first check to be sure you don’t just have a bad seal at the fitting, if that is the issue it would save some time and hassle of cutting the tubing. My guess from looking at the photo is you have 1/2” ID tubing.

Thanks for noticing that, Piros1. I was looking more at the forest instead of the trees

. Because everything is so tight in there, I think I'm going to go with the Sharkbite set up in the HD link I posted in #1.

Another question: Can I cut that piping with a regular PVC cutter or should I invest in a PEX cutter?

jacwjames · 07-04-2020, 08:03 AM

I just completed the plumbing in my sticks and bricks. Used lots of Pex. You can cut it with the PVC cutter but if space is confined you can use a utility knife, just be careful to not cut yourself.

I only used a handful of Sharkbite type fittings (I found them on clearance at Lowes) and they work great in the right application. Pricey but worth it if you need something fixed quickly.