new fangled plumbing pipe

[Scott S.]

I had a valve break in the back of my water heater this spring. I fixed it with hose and gear clamps as the only way to remove the old valve was to cut it off. it's a thick, white plastic pipe that is attached to the joints and such with a metal crimped on band. is this a special tool that only RV dealers have? I saw something similar at Canadian Tire but not quite.

can anyone clue me in here?
my repair is leaking slightly and I don't want to ruin the floor.
this is in a trailer we park on a seasonal site BTW... not my Surfside.

thanx
Scott

[Darwin Maring]

I live in VA, USA and I can rent one at the local plumming store. Try a tool rental place and if they have one, tow the camper over there and see if you can rent it for 10 minutes, just maybe they will let U use it free.

[Ed Harris]

http://www.pexinfo.com/

Is this the stuff?

The tool is under $100.00 and I was thinking og getting into this but then a friend of mine told me he already got the tool to use in his rental properties.
I plan on trying some soon myself,now without having to buy the tool.

Ed

[Steve L.]

I've been told that Lowe's will rent the tool for $6 or so. On Casitas it's 1/2" PEX.

Hose clamps just won't do the job.

[Bobbie Mayer]

That Pex is great stuff, it doesn't break when it freezes (most of the time.) We had the corroded pipe under my cabin replaced with it after the last big freeze broke the pipe.

[Scott S.]

I did use hose and clamps... can't get the clamps tight enough. I'll see if I can rent one... thanx, never thought of that. I don't want to spend $100 bucks if I'm only going to use it once or twice.

[Scott S.]

I'm finding out all kinds of information on this PEX stuff. that's definitely what it is. seems there are more than one method of attaching the fittings. a pro compression tool that was used on the plumbing I'm dealing with... and a crimp-on style band that is more for the homeowner. that crimp-on tool is about $45 at Home Depot and I just bid on one at ebay for $35 that comes with a cutter. the stuff is supposed to be really easy to work with, doesn't require any soldering work and is stronger and more flexible than copper. most new home construction uses it so I guess I'll use the tools down the road too.

[peterh]

Lowes also carries a line of no-clamp PEX fittings, WATTS WaterPEX. It's easy to use, just be careful to install it in places where the fitting won't get flexed by trailer motion or bend, and make sure you cut your pipe with square ends that almost meet in the middle before the pipes are inserted into the fittings. I also secure the pipe leading to the connectors and secure the connector in place as well.




Here's a pic of one of these no-clamp fittings connecting my cold water line to my water pump and city water inlet. You can see how the pipe and the fittings are all clamped firmly to the hot water line using zip-ties

[Ian-Vicki]

There are also Shark Bite fittings available at Home Hardwares in Canada . They are just push-on fittings and can be used for pex and copper and, with an insert, poly butyl. They're pricy but they work well and can be used as a tee, an elbow or just a straight union. They're perfect for places where the pex crimpers just won't fit.
cheers
Ian