Help with DIY PRV replacement

[wtalber]

Hello. I am looking for advice, please. Homeowner in 30 year old house with Poly B piping, on city water (I know, re-pipe). We have reduced flow in our shower, and tests reveal pressure drops (from 50 PSI) at a spigot when another is opened. I believe the original Watts N35B PRV is blocked, as the water was pretty bad, sediment-wise, when we moved in (1995). From what I read, we got our money’s worth out of this PRV. Talking to local plumbers, it is popular to just do a PRV delete, for about $400. I don’t know what the city pressure is, but do not want to gamble with deleting the PRV. The local supply store even said they do not stock PRVs.
After much reading, my plan is to replace the PRV, main shut off gate valve, and outdoor spigot shut off with ball valves. I plan to use PEX-B, with the Oetiker cinch clamps. I like those, as they are also in my travel trailer.
My plan is to buy the short lengths of Sharkbite brand of PEX, made in US.

I am waiting on Watts to provide a recommended replacement model of PRV.

I have two questions:
1. Can Oetiker cinch clamps be used on the Poly B to PEX adapters, vice the crimp rings that come with them?
2. For elbow fittings - Brass vs stainless steel?
Thanks.

 

[sarg]

The PolyB is a larger I/S diameter & the conversion kits include the necessary ring. The pex clamping tool for the "crush" rings does work ........ but I do not know if the cinch clamps would be large enough.
All you can do is try.

 

[wtalber]

Sarg,

Thanks. I have not yet looked at the ID and OD, I thought maybe someone has done this. Wanted to avoid buying both crimp/clamp tools.

 

[sarg]

Understood ...... I also have the polyB crap and convert to pex whenever I have to "fix" or alter something in our system ...... but I also have accumulated a large tool bag full of various fittings and tools ....... both cinch & crush ............. probably over a thousand dollars by now ...... because I'm always convinced bad crap happens after hours.

 

[wtalber]

Absolutely correct!

 

[Ludington]

Or you can go here and just get a pb coupling ...
https://www.plumbingsupply.com/polyb.html#coupling
Standard compression fittings work too. Theresa tight fit, but they work.

 

[sarg]

Or you can go here and just get a pb coupling ...
https://www.plumbingsupply.com/polyb.html#coupling
Standard compression fittings work too. Theresa tight fit, but they work.

I have experience with the Qest couplers & fittings and actually still have a drawer full of them from decades ago.
Not recommended by me .... With my system the components actually deteriorated and literally fell apart or for a better description "rotted".
Also hard to now find and expensive.

 

[Ludington]

I have experience with the Qest couplers & fittings and actually still have a drawer full of them from decades ago.
Not recommended by me .... With my system the components actually deteriorated and literally fell apart or for a better description "rotted".
Also hard to now find and expensive.

I guess I just got a good set of them 40 years ago, mine all look like new. But I have good well water. I have spares (just in case) but have never used any.

 

[wtalber]

I guess I just got a good set of them 40 years ago, mine all look like new. But I have good well water. I have spares (just in case) but have never used any.

Thanks. I believe many things made 40 years ago are better. However, Poly B is not one of them!

 

[Ludington]

Thanks. I believe many things made 40 years ago are better. However, Poly B is not one of them!

Poly B is fine as long as it's used on untreated water. There are many many installations that still have it.
Especially if they used the quest type fittings. The band type fittings, I'm not to sure about. I don't like the current ones being used on copper or the shark bite. But they all do work. The question is for how long. But that goes for Poly B also. In my case , 40 years and counting.

 

[wtalber]

Poly B is fine as long as it's used on untreated water. There are many many installations that still have it.
Especially if they used the quest type fittings. The band type fittings, I'm not to sure about. I don't like the current ones being used on copper or the shark bite. But they all do work. The question is for how long. But that goes for Poly B also. In my case , 40 years and counting.

I guess that's reassuring. Early last year we had a leak in our Poly B, a line off the water heater, as it slightly bent going through the attic floor into the ceiling of the second floor. Just a pinhole, and I heard it shortly after it started. I've heard it was due to the chlorine and the heat/cold cycles. Most of that run was replaced with PEX. I know the rest is just waiting to leak.