Pinhole leak in PEX pipe coming from tankless water heater | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

Pinhole leak in PEX pipe coming from tankless water heater

Copper is the best.
Have you ever worked with pex before? Super easy!
Cut out the bad, leave enough to put in a 90 to eliminate the bend. Re-connect lower down.
Dont run a whole new length, no point.
Reliance is a scam and a nightmare.
The second your contract is up tell them to take their equipment and buy you own. Unless you plan on selling soon. If you do cancel the contract, make sure it is actually canceled, I know people who have been billed for years after hot water tanks have been removed!
 
Anyone used one of these tools to cut the copper rings?
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Relax said:
And how do the stainless clamps compare to the copper rings? There's supposed to be a go/no go gauge for the copper rings to make it idiot proof?


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I check mine with the gauge. If the crimper is set properly and you get the handles together, there should be no way it isn't tight. Imo, gauge is important to check after tons of fittings to see if crimper needs adjusted for wear.
 
GreyGhost said:
I check mine with the gauge. If the crimper is set properly and you get the handles together, there should be no way it isn't tight. Imo, gauge is important to check after tons of fittings to see if crimper needs adjusted for wear.
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Or I guess for the first one as well. Apparently there is also such as thing as too tight as well as too loose based on a video I just watched?
 
Relax said:
And how do the stainless clamps compare to the copper rings? There's supposed to be a go/no go gauge for the copper rings to make it idiot proof?


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For a DIY first-timer, use the SS crimp rings. They are easy and foolproof. I think you can get a beginner's kit with the crimper and a small assortment of rings for $35 (Amazon) to $50 (HD/CTC/Rona).
 
Yup, I've used the SS ones and they really are close to idiot-proof. The starter kit at HD comes with a bunch of 1/2" and 3/4" rings.
 
The whole PEX setup for rings and tube is so cheap , buy some extra tube and rings and couplers and practice getting the crimp right , see what is involved. Get a feel for it before you start doing the important job.


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So the Reliance tech came over and busted out his PEX tools. He didn't remove the crimp rings and replace the whole run of hose, but instead cut out most of it and spliced in a new section. Then he didn't like the curve at the top that I mentioned, so he cut that and added a 90 degree elbow so it runs parallel to the ceiling, and spliced in another short run to finish the connection. I know it's not ideal, but it was fast and free and honestly I was going to do something similar today if he told me it wasn't covered just to get the water running again, then schedule a day for a proper job when I can get everyone out of the house. When I asked for confirmation that the hose was actually covered by the water heater rental, he said it depends on the tech that comes out, and that some will tell you it isn't their job and that you need to call a plumber - especially if you actually have the Reliance plumbing coverage plan. For him, he said it's only a little extra time and if he gets a good review because of it, it helps with his year end bonus.
 
Charles13 said:
I don’t understand the move away from copper, pex is easy but copper is “copper” and thus is very durable
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This is simply not true. I've had pin holes in copper supplies lines as well as large copper drains that corroded on the top allowing a major leak. I used to think copper was the gold standard but now I would go PEX.
 
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timtune said:
This is simply not true. I've had pin holes in copper supplies lines as well as large copper drains that corroded on the top allowing a major leak. I used to think copper was the gold standard but now I would go PEX.
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I believe the life of pex pipe isn’t more than 25 years or so, but it’s definitely easier to install and most likely cheaper than a precious metal.
 
It better be longer than 25yrs , getting the KiTec out of my house was 14k and removing vanities and maybe 50 holes in drywall . PEX better outlast me .


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@Relax
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I have the tool to crimp these on.
I'm in Milton
 
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There are two types of PEX, the type that uses a copper/ss ring (PEX B), and the expandable type that uses a plastic ring (PEX A). There have been quite a few lawsuits where entire subdivisions had mass failures with the copper/ss rings. There have been none that I know of using the expandable plastic rings. I would only use the expandable style. The only problem with it is the tool is prohibitively expensive for a one time diy. A benefit to the expandable is that it is expandable so there's not as much worry about it freezing. Oh, and copper fails too. Cost aside, the biggest problem with copper is the number of joints there are in any run. Every time you need to change a direction even slightly there's an elbow and two solder joints involved.
 
Renboy said:
There are two types of PEX, the type that uses a copper/ss ring (PEX B), and the expandable type that uses a plastic ring (PEX A). There have been quite a few lawsuits where entire subdivisions had mass failures with the copper/ss rings. There have been none that I know of using the expandable plastic rings. I would only use the expandable style. The only problem with it is the tool is prohibitively expensive for a one time diy. A benefit to the expandable is that it is expandable so there's not as much worry about it freezing. Oh, and copper fails too. Cost aside, the biggest problem with copper is the number of joints there are in any run. Every time you need to change a direction even slightly there's an elbow and two solder joints involved.
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PexA tools can be pricy if you're looking for high-end professional tools that a plumber would use. Hand tools for homeowners are available for $75, about the same price as ring tools.

Copper rings are the most challenging, they should be gauged, must be installed perfectly square, and do not survive freezing. SS pinch clamps are more forgiving and easier to install in tight places, I've never heard of a failure using SS clamp.

I have installed hundreds of PEX lines for water and air lines over the years using SS clamps. Never had a failure.
 
Mad Mike said:
PexA tools can be pricy if you're looking for high-end professional tools that a plumber would use. Hand tools for homeowners are available for $75, about the same price as ring tools.
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Wow, those have come down in price. 15 years ago you couldn't get a used manual one for $200. The cordless ones are a god send though if you do it reasonably often.
 
@Relax Did you get it all sorted out?
If you were dealing with 1/2 I could have loaned you the tools and given you the materials.
I'm a big fan of copper, I even did my drains in copper! Who ever scraps my house is gonna be rich! Note: I know there is a missing escutcheon plate, never found the right size! That's on my never ending to do list! Bikes take priority!

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