Home Repair forum - Pex tube to copper compression fitting slipped off...

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Pex tube to copper compression fitting slipped off...

Joe Sloppy

2005-11-07, 5:21 pm

Oh boy, good thing I was home when this happened, I used 1/2" Pex
(zurn) to 1/2" copper (i.d.) Compression fittings. These are all
plastic fittings and "grip" onto the piping with metal rings that dig
into the pipe. Well, apparently I did not tighten the nut good enough
and while working in the basement, I heard a sudden rush of water
flowing out of one of the lines. I quickly turned the valve above the
line off and noticed that fitting had slid right off of the copper
line. Oh great, because I did all of them in a new bathroom remodel
like this. Now I am thinking I should just dish out the 100 dollars for
the crimping tool and rings and crimp all these pex connections rather
than using these compression fittings. Does this sound like the right
way to do it, or should I just tighting these fitting a little more and
not worry too much about it.

Bob

2005-11-07, 6:21 pm

"Joe Sloppy" <joe7sloppy@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131395585.729471.94470@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Oh boy, good thing I was home when this happened, I used
1/2" Pex
> (zurn) to 1/2" copper (i.d.) Compression fittings. These
are all
> plastic fittings and "grip" onto the piping with metal
rings that dig
> into the pipe. Well, apparently I did not tighten the nut
good enough
> and while working in the basement, I heard a sudden rush
of water
> flowing out of one of the lines. I quickly turned the
valve above the
> line off and noticed that fitting had slid right off of
the copper
> line. Oh great, because I did all of them in a new
bathroom remodel
> like this. Now I am thinking I should just dish out the
100 dollars for
> the crimping tool and rings and crimp all these pex
connections rather
> than using these compression fittings. Does this sound
like the right
> way to do it, or should I just tighting these fitting a
little more and
> not worry too much about it.
>
When I was looking at PEX, all the fittings like you used
that I looked at were labeled "not for in-wall installation"
or something similar. The place that sold you the PEX would
probably rent you the tool.

Bob

HighFlyer@NotRealISP.gov

2005-11-08, 12:21 am

"Joe Sloppy" <joe7sloppy@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Oh boy, good thing I was home when this happened, I used 1/2" Pex
>(zurn) to 1/2" copper (i.d.) Compression fittings. These are all
>plastic fittings and "grip" onto the piping with metal rings that dig
>into the pipe.

On the PEX side the metal rings grip into the pipe: on the copper side
there's no metal ring digging in.

> Well, apparently I did not tighten the nut good enough
>and while working in the basement, I heard a sudden rush of water
>flowing out of one of the lines. I quickly turned the valve above the
>line off and noticed that fitting had slid right off of the copper
>line.

Problem with copper compression fittings.

> Oh great, because I did all of them in a new bathroom remodel
>like this. Now I am thinking I should just dish out the 100 dollars for
>the crimping tool and rings and crimp all these pex connections rather
>than using these compression fittings. Does this sound like the right
>way to do it, or should I just tighting these fitting a little more and
>not worry too much about it.

I realize it's not much help now that you've finished but you should
have used the compression fitting with the metal ring on the PEX side
and either soldered a male threaded fitting on the copper and used one
half of a union to mate with the PEX fitting, or soldered one half of
the union directly to the copper pipe. Normally this problem doesn't
arise because the PEX usually has to terminate at a drop-ear ell. I've
never seen a drop-ear ell using a compression fitting or a direct
connect to the PEX so you have to solder something into it: a short
nipple and either directly to half a union or via the male threaded
terminator is the best way IMO.

Duane Bozarth

2005-11-08, 11:21 am

HighFlyer@NotRealISP.gov wrote:
>
> "Joe Sloppy" <joe7sloppy@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> On the PEX side the metal rings grip into the pipe: on the copper side
> there's no metal ring digging in.

There's a ferule on the copper end as well...

>
> Problem with copper compression fittings.
....

There's no inherent problem w/ copper compression fittings...they've
held for years for countless joints.

maradcliff@UNLISTED.com

2005-11-11, 6:21 am

On 7 Nov 2005 12:33:05 -0800, "Joe Sloppy" <joe7sloppy@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>Oh boy, good thing I was home when this happened, I used 1/2" Pex
>(zurn) to 1/2" copper (i.d.) Compression fittings. These are all
>plastic fittings and "grip" onto the piping with metal rings that dig
>into the pipe. Well, apparently I did not tighten the nut good enough
>and while working in the basement, I heard a sudden rush of water
>flowing out of one of the lines. I quickly turned the valve above the
>line off and noticed that fitting had slid right off of the copper
>line. Oh great, because I did all of them in a new bathroom remodel
>like this. Now I am thinking I should just dish out the 100 dollars for
>the crimping tool and rings and crimp all these pex connections rather
>than using these compression fittings. Does this sound like the right
>way to do it, or should I just tighting these fitting a little more and
>not worry too much about it.

I've looked at that PEX. I wouldm't even consider using that crap in
my house. The stuff is made so that any idiot can cram the pipe into
the fitting and do a quick plumbing job. Well, I suppose it does a
quick job, but how long will it last? Plastic deteriorates and when
its held into a pressure fitting, the surges in the water are going to
continously bang against those clamped ends till one of then breaks.

Do as you wish, but I personally value my home and posessions too much
to use inferior plastic crap for plumbing. I'm not even that fond of
glued PVC but at least that becomes one solid mass once the glue drys.
PEX looks like a great way to add a sprinkler system to a lawn, but in
my house I only use sweated copper, or even galvanized steel.

Good Luck - you may need it.

Mark

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