PEX in a camper?

[Otahyoni]

Ok all you experts, my turn...

I recently purchased a camper that wasn't winterized properly and the water lines burst. Right now they are some kind of semi-flexible gray plastic. If i can find the correct end fittings, can i use PEX in a mobile setting? Or is there something else you'd recommend?

I'll start posting pictures later as i tear into it...

 

[johnjh2o]

If the pipe you have is gray chances are it's poly pipe. If that is the case PEX makes a coupling that uses crimp rings to go from poly to PEX. You can use the same crimping tool on both pex and ploy.

John

 

[Otahyoni]

So you would recommend leaving short sections of the original pipe near the fittings and replacing the long runs with PEX?

I haven't put water in it yet, so i'm not 100% sure where it leaks... The PO said that they saw cracks and just never put water to it...

 

[johnjh2o]

Depending on the number of leaks you have it may be just as easy to re-pipe it. Being a camper there can't be that much involved.

John

 

[Otahyoni]

Theres probably 40-50' feet total between the hot and cold pipes. I don't think it'll be terrible hard to replumb the whole thing, just a little pricey...

I only saw one pipe cracked, but i can't see every inch.

I'm gonna wait a bit to do it, but i'll eventually just replace all the pipes. Need to fix the floor first...

 

[Otahyoni]

If the pipe you have is gray chances are it's poly pipe. If that is the case PEX makes a coupling that uses crimp rings to go from poly to PEX. You can use the same crimping tool on both pex and ploy.

John

I saw the connectors you were talking about, but the local store only has them for 1/2" pipe. The camper runs 3/8" pipe.

 

[Mr_David]

we used to do a lot of polybutylene repairs. Can't get the pipe so we use Pex. It is the same O.D. and use John Guest fittings to connect the 2 together. They are a little bulky but no special crimp tools needed.

 

[Otahyoni]

Those the push-to-connect fittings? Those are nice.....pricey, but nice. I got a lead on a guy that might send me most of or all the fittings ill need at cost cause he wants them gone... then i'll just need to find a crimper....damn they're expensive....!

 

[johnjh2o]

Look for a crimper on E-Bay. After your through using it resell it on E-Bay.

john

 

[Otahyoni]

Theres an idea. I was thinking about getting the crimp tool and crimp ring from our local Menards.

Something like this guy: Cinch Clamp For Pex at Menards
with these rings:Cinch Clamp For Pex at Menards


It says those pliers work for all the sizes of clamps, so that might prove useful in other projects if the rings give a good tight seal.

What do you think about this kind of PEX clamp ring?

 

[johnjh2o]

Can't say for sure I haven't used them. Some guys swear by them and I haven't heard of any failures from them.

John