This PEX-copper coupling has a small leak. It looks like a bad solder joint to me. How can I fix this? I can re-solder it, if there is some way to disconnect the PEX. I’ve never used PEX before, and have no experience with it. But, I can solder.
Plumbing I don’t know, but I can say it looks very old and actually eroded. Can’t you replace the whole thing? It looks like it’s on the verge of springing several leaks.
Not clear what’s in the picture. Is that the copper fitting on the bottom with the PEX on top?
Is the PEX connected with a copper ring or a clamp? Only practical thing to do is cut the ring off the fitting. Same thing with a clamp ring. For a copper ring you have to be careful not to damage the fitting. You can get a special tool or carefully cut into the ring with a Dremel wheel or carefully drill into until you can pry the ring apart. The PEX has to be cut, can’t be reconnected at the same spot on the hose. If there’s no play in the hose you’ll have to cut more off and connect another piece in the middle to reach the fitting.
The leak may be the result of a bad PEX connection. The ring might be too close to the end of the fitting, and the fitting can be re-used. Otherwise, the copper pipe has to be cut to remove the fitting and a new one soldered on.
Do you have a tool to install a PEX ring or clamp? If not, cut the pipe and the PEX hose and rejoin them with a Sharkbite type connector until you have the tools available.
Ok, now I can see the PEX. That looks like a press fit type of fitting similar to Sharkbite, but not something I recognize. It could be something I don’t know about at all.
Assuming it is a press fit connector, there are removal tools for those but they don’t always work on every fitting. The whole thing looks like a mess. You might have to cut apart that fitting.
What size pipe is that? Since I’ve got PEX toolsI would replace as much copper as I could with PEX.
You can invest in a PEX crimp tool and solder in a PEX crimp fitting. If you don’t want to get the tools your have to somehow get about 1" of clean straight pipe sticking out of the tee to attach the PEX with a Sharkbite type fitting. There may be 1" of clean pipe under that fitting already. If not solder something in. That leak may be because the copper pipe had a crimp or gouge in it not sealed by the fitting.
Sharkbite/press fittings are controversial. I have a few in my house since I have more copper to replace with PEX before I’m done. I don’t mind them if they’re out in the open. I wouldn’t put one inside a wall, or even behind a washing machine or anywhere I might not notice a leak. I think most leaks are a result of improper installation and I’ve never heard of one popping off or breaking open so water spews out everywhere. I guess it could happen though. PEX crimp fittings are just as good as soldered copper when properly installed, and it’s pretty easy to do.
The pipe is 3/4.
I’d be happy to buy a crimper for PEX, if I thought I was going to be doing a lot of it.
I don’t have any experience with Shark Bite connectors, but as a guy who has done a lot of work in pneumatics and hydraulic systems (I design pressure gauges), I’m always somewhat skeptical of o-ring seals.
This chart shows the insertion length for different size Sharkbite fittings, and a little installation video. I think the chart should be good for other brands of press fit connectors. I mark the proper length from the end of the hose or pipe before insertion so I know when it’s in far enough.
If you want to solder you’ll need a fitting like this. That one slips over the pipe. They make interior fittings too. Then you’ll need the crimp tool (use clamps, they’re way easier than rings). A simple Sharkbite removal tool like this may work to pull that PEX out of the connector but they often don’t work, especially on those brass body connectors. The fancier one I have doesn’t work all the time either. It’s just not a guarantee that you can remove the PEX cleanly so you may have to cut it off.
If’n I was you I’d do the minimal work with a Sharkbite fitting now, then evaluate the rest of your plumbing to see if investing in the tools is worth it. Once you have a decent tool, which doesn’t cost all that much, PEX pipe is really inexpensive, fittings aren’t comparable in price to copper (I avoid the cheapest ones myself), and it’s very easy to replace a ton of copper pipe with PEX. Want to trade the number of fittings and amount of work for a more pipe? Then get a manifold.
Missed the edit window. PEX bends so no need for angled fittings to go around corners or through tight spaces. It can be used with cold and hot water, even hot water heat. Adding or moving a line is incredibly easy. You couldn’t pay me to go back to copper.
I agree that looks like SharkBite type fitting but it doesn’t look like that’s where the leak is.
Good point. I can see a several spots that where water might be leaking right there. And then it could be running down the pipe from further away.
Yes, I think it’s leaking right from where the fitting is soldered into the copper T.
I’m seriously considering sanding the whole fitting to clean it up, then using some sort of plumber’s epoxy to see if I can get it to stop dripping, and buy me enough time to figure out what to do long-term. It’s under the house, so it won’t be a disaster if if leaks a bit, and currently the leak is extremely slow, like one drop in 2-3 minutes.
I have read there there are some lawsuits flying regarding zinc in brass fittings, and this would be about the right era - maybe 20 years ago.
You can rent a top quality PEX B/C crimper from Home Depot or your local tool rental shop for a few bucks. PEX A uses a different system where it is stretched over the fitting. I looked up ‘Aquapex’ and it comes in both PEX A and Pex B. I don’t know how ieasy it is to rent a PEX A tool. If you can get the tool, I second the recommendation to replace what you can with PEX, but you still have to have a transition to copper somewhere I suppose.
I don’t recognize that fitting at all. Its not a sharkbite, they have a polymer release collar that extends past the brass. You would push on that collar with the release tool or a crescent wrench to release the fitting. That fitting does look like it needs to go.
Most plumbers we work with avoid shark bites and other push fittings. My take is they are good enough for accesible locations but should not be hidden. Since plumbers already have all the necessary tools, there are not a lot of situations where push fittings are advantageous for them.
I haven’t decided what to do yet. I’m leaning toward desoldering the coupling, soldering in a short piece of copper, and then attaching some type of PEX coupling to that.
This requires shutting all the water off to the house, probably at the meter, so I’m going to hold off and do all my plumbing at once.
It’s weird looking right? Hardly looks long enough to make the joint.
Yep, that’s exactly what I’ve heard from plumbers.
Yeah. These things never go exactly as planned. Best to be prepared, and be ready to go out and get that part or tool that you didn’t think you would need.
You need to figure out whether that PEX is A or B for one thing.
There is a good picture on this page that shows the two different connection types.
One thing that we use sharkbites for all the time is for temporary end caps so the water can go back on during repairs.