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OrangeCrush · 02-05-2017, 06:43

Hello,

I have a leak in my pressurized water system under the galley sink and I could use some guidance as I've never worked on this stuff before. The leak is coming from the push-fitting where the PEX tubing meets an in-line valve like the one pictured below. The little collar (stiffener?) is relatively loose. The plastic tubing is Sharkbite brand but the valve itself is Apollo PEX.

Can anyone tell me what the basic procedure is to fix this leak? I've read that the push fittings can only be reused a certain number of times. Do I need to cut off some of the tubing to get a clean seal? Do I need to replace the valve, or the stiffener, or something else? Can I do this without special tools or do I need a push fitting removal tool?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Jack

CaptTom · 02-05-2017, 07:46

My experience is limited, but here's a start:

Push the PEX firmly in to the fixture. That may be enough to re-engage the seal.

You don't NEED the removal tool, anything you can fit around the PEX and push on will do. That said, they're pretty cheap.

Likewise, PEX tubing is pretty cheap. Sometimes replacing it is just as easy as trying to get the existing one to seat.

Obviously, it's a boat, so nothing is ever that easy. Sometimes these fittings can be so hard to reach that you can't get good leverage to push or pull on them. It can be better to fabricate the hard-to-reach connection using the proper crimp tools, outside the enclosed area.

TheOffice · 02-05-2017, 09:36

The Sharkbite fittings for PEX have a grey plastic insert. The brown inserts are for CPVC. Be sure you have the right fitting.

OrangeCrush · 02-05-2017, 10:10

Well it's a Sharkbite hose but the valve says Apollo PEX. I'm guessing that the push-fitting is part of the valve and thus made by Apollo as well rather than Sharkbite. The collar-shaped stiffener is brownish-orange if I remember correctly. I've been trying to contact Apollo but they don't seem to answer their phones.

CaptJamesCook · 02-05-2017, 14:15

I would replace it with this... I hate those little oval handle things...
Home Depot has a large selection of all types of pex ball valves.

senormechanico · 03-05-2017, 09:30

I just completed PEX water installation on my new dock.
The Sharkbite fittings have light tan colored inserts and the packages they came in specified for PEX, CPVC and something else, PVC?.
I put in a ball valve for a drain as well.
No leaks anywhere.

jkleins · 03-05-2017, 15:48

That particular one has been removed every year to drain the system and put back on to commission the system in the spring. It may need to be replaced since it has been the most used fitting on the boat although usually just reinstalling it and making sure it is pushed completely in will stop the leak.

Jim

groundtackle · 03-05-2017, 16:11

If it's been on and off a bunch of times the pipe may be scored and might not be sealing as a result. You may need to replace a section of pex. You can just cut out a few inches and scab in a new piece using a coupling if you like.

OrangeCrush · 03-05-2017, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkleins

That particular one has been removed every year to drain the system and put back on to commission the system in the spring. It may need to be replaced since it has been the most used fitting on the boat although usually just reinstalling it and making sure it is pushed completely in will stop the leak.

Jim

Ah ok good to know, thanks Jim.

OrangeCrush · 04-05-2017, 05:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by groundtackle

If it's been on and off a bunch of times the pipe may be scored and might not be sealing as a result. You may need to replace a section of pex. You can just cut out a few inches and scab in a new piece using a coupling if you like.

Thanks for the help, sounds like a good plan.

Corvidae · 04-05-2017, 07:12

If you're removing a fitting every year, stop doing that. Put in a T with a valve on one leg. Just because you can remove a pex fitting, doesn't mean you should. Liquid and gas fittings require extra gaskets, or ablative material, in order to reseal after opening. Pex is very barely ablative, and quickly fails after repeated connection.

jkleins · 04-05-2017, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corvidae

If you're removing a fitting every year, stop doing that. Put in a T with a valve on one leg. Just because you can remove a pex fitting, doesn't mean you should. Liquid and gas fittings require extra gaskets, or ablative material, in order to reseal after opening. Pex is very barely ablative, and quickly fails after repeated connection.

Absolutely correct. I finally did put a better solution in but sometimes the list of boat projects gets bigger then the season allows.