Sad to discover poor water supply installation, and pex tips!

[10yearsbehind]

I was orienting the valves behind the water heater to fill the tank when I noticed a tiny drip from the valve fitting. I figured the drip was due to the crimp ring being so far down the pipe, close to the end of the fitting. I proceeded to use my crimper on the ring to break it off and install a new one. When I started tightening the crimper I realized the ring was not completely crimped. I crimped the ring until complete and the drip stopped. Surprised, I tried another ring and found it too was not completely crimped. I soon realized every crimp ring was not fully crimped.

Pex tip! - To remove a pinch style crimp ring, use the crimp tool to twist and break the ring. Tighten the crimper on the pinch ring as if performing a crimp and twist the crimper sideways, the ring will break.

My guess is...
1) The person using the crimper does not have sufficient hand strength to perform a complete crimp
2) The person using the crimper is unknowingly not performing a complete crimp
3) The crimper is out of calibration.

Any way we slice it I am heartbroken to learn all my pex rings are loose. Looks likes I am gonna spend some time going over every ring.

Another pex tip! - After a pex fitting has been crimped, the pipe and/or fitting is still able to spin. With strong hands or good leverage the pipe can be spun into a position the ring can be removed, or in this case re-crimped, providing there is enough room for the crimp tool.

 

[SB_James]

Good thing you caught that before you had water damage!

Great tips on Pex, and something for us to keep an eye on when inspecting our water lines. I would think the factory would use a pneumatic crimper to increase efficiency. One day I'd like to go on a factory tour to see "how the sausage gets made" (and offer some advice on quality!)

Thanks again for the tips!

 

[10yearsbehind]

Glad to share, James! Here is a pic of the culprit

 

[Stingray75]

We’ve experienced more “drip leaks” on this unit then we have on all prior rigs combined. The most recent is a drip behind a wall in the washer dryer closet. We don’t have W/D so wasn’t even on our radar. Been dripping since March so it’s a little damp in there. Same issues, loose fittings and/or poor PEX crimp fittings.