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(Hopefully) A Simple Plumbing Question

April 20, 2014, 10:33:43 pm

I took my access panels off in the wet bay so I could replace the dump valves.  Had to disconnect the water lines from back of the "wash-up" faucet.  When I put everything back together, I had a slow leak at both water line connections behind the faucet.  Cranking down on the plastic "nut" did not help.  The black rubber washers (inside the compression nut on the water lines) are old, distorted, and beat up looking (kinda like me )  I looked at Lowe's and Home Depot and could not find anything like them in the plumbing dept.

Question:  What is the official technical term for these rubber pieces, and where am I likely to find some new ones?  Or is there another solution?  Thanks

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Re: (Hopefully) A Simple Plumbing Question

Reply #1 – April 20, 2014, 10:36:49 pm

One solution is to simply cut off the old nuts, and use new Shark Bite parts.  I used them on the install of the new water pump.

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Reply #2 – April 20, 2014, 11:02:12 pm

If they are what I am thinking of just get a new line and pull the dome shaped washer out and put it in the original conection. They are in all water lines for tap connections eg, the stainless type of the hard plastic ones
Johnh

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Reply #3 – April 21, 2014, 01:54:05 am

I think what you are looking for is called Saniprene Cone washers http://tweetys.com/sanipreneswivelsealS.aspx. Some seal much better than others... The ones that came with the Pex swivels from Home Depot didn't d o it for me and I ended up getting them from a trailer supply place in town. No leaks after I replaced the Home Depot (or Lowes) versions. These were all new Pex Swivels with the supplied seals, and most of them leaked when I was testing my system. Granted, it was at my house and the water pressure was a bit higher than the typical campground, but I still had leaks at most of the swivels until I replaced them with the ones similar to my link. They have a bit more meat to them and are a bit softer.
Anyway, that is what worked for me... Here are some pictures of my Plumbing bay when I was working on it. I replaced all of the pex lines that I could get to both ends of and all of the Pex swivels.
Don

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Re: (Hopefully) A Simple Plumbing Question

Reply #4 – April 21, 2014, 08:27:55 am

Don,

Thanks for the reply.  The Saniprene washers look like exactly what I need.  I will either go that route, or perhaps I will give the SharkBite connectors (suggested by Dave) a try just to see how they work...I've never used them.  The two water lines are easy to get to, so if I need to re-do the job later it's no big deal.

Man, you do NICE work.  I could study your photos for hours just trying to learn how to do it RIGHT.  Your detail work is amazing.  I love the color-coded lines, the little metal support brackets at the 90 degree bends, the way lines are routed...your plumbing almost qualifies as art.  Well done!

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Reply #5 – April 21, 2014, 08:41:54 am

Yup, just replace the saniprene cone. Any RV store should have them.  Do NOT overtighten the connection.  Basically anytime I take one of these type of joints apart, I replace the cone.  It is actually a pretty good system.

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Reply #6 – April 21, 2014, 08:55:14 am

Also finding them spelled "Santoprene" - the spelling seems to vary...

I assume 1/2" is the size I need?  Is the PEX tubing in our coaches called 5/8" tubing, or 1/2" tubing?  Does it go by inner or outer diameter?  All new to me...

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Reply #7 – April 21, 2014, 09:15:08 am

Just take the old one with you to any RV dealer.  If that is not practical, but one of each-- they are not expensive.

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Reply #8 – April 21, 2014, 11:02:35 am

it is  1/2" pex
JohnH

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Reply #9 – April 21, 2014, 11:57:16 am

Lowes has the tools, fittings, crimp rings & both red& blue pex tubing. I reworked part of my needs.

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Reply #10 – April 21, 2014, 02:40:23 pm

My local hardware store has a complete PEX tool kit for rent for $9/day.  Lots cheaper than buying one.

Roger

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Reply #11 – April 21, 2014, 11:28:06 pm

Update, and to close this thread.  I spent the day shopping for plumbing parts.  Found the SharkBite push-on connectors at several stores (Home Depot, Ace Hardware, McCoy's Building Supply) but not a great selection at any of them.  Also found the Santoprene cone washers at a little Mom & Pop camper supply place - I bought out their entire stock (they had 8 of the 1/2" washers).  I will try the new washers first, and if they don't work then I will try the SharkBites.  Thanks for all the good info!

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