leaking pex - Plumbing Zone

express · 03-07-2010, 10:09 PM

I having a problem with pex leaking on the cold water line on a 1-1/2 year old repipe.
Pex cold water line starts at one end of the basement and goes to the other side to a electric hot water heater. 90's and tees along the way have started leaking under where the pipe connects to the fitting. the tees are feeding the fixtures above, no leaking from any 90s that come off the tees. There is no leaking on the hot water side. We do know that we have an acid problem that we are having tested but don't feel this is the problem because no leakish on the hot side. Here is something unusual, the well is shared with the neighbor and the pump and power is on the neighbors property.

Some have suggested I have a stray electric current either coming from the well pump or from the water heater wanting to get to ground. Anybody ever come across this problem and how would I test for it?
Thanks for your help

Redwood · 03-07-2010, 10:34 PM

Acidic water could be your whole problem.

Sounds like you need an acid neutralizer for starters and whatever else the test says you need.

M5Plumb · 03-07-2010, 10:45 PM

Try getting a hair dryer and blow warm air across those fittings and see if the problem stops? Sometimes cold temps, cold water may seep on those fittings and the hot air can seal em up. Try it and post your results.

Pipe Rat · 03-08-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M5Plumb

Try getting a hair dryer and blow warm air across those fittings and see if the problem stops? Sometimes cold temps, cold water may seep on those fittings and the hot air can seal em up. Try it and post your results.

Ya never have to use a hair dryer to keep copper from leaking.

I'm just wondering though as I have never used pex, lets just say the hair dryer stops the leak??????????? What then is the permanent solution????

AKdaplumba · 03-08-2010, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piperat

Ya never have to use a hair dryer to keep copper from leaking.

I'm just wondering though as I have never used pex, lets just say the hair dryer stops the leak??????????? What then is the permanent solution????

if its wirsbo the heat would close the ring and that would be the permanent solution. pex with crimp fittings.....ummmmmm???

M5Plumb · 03-08-2010, 12:34 AM

Not necessarily but will clue you in to some better solutions to maintain the product. Insulation etc id req'd. Sounds silly but its effective. Next step is to re-apply a new joint in the area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piperat

Ya never have to use a hair dryer to keep copper from leaking.

I'm just wondering though as I have never used pex, lets just say the hair dryer stops the leak??????????? What then is the permanent solution????

express · 03-08-2010, 09:39 AM

I have about 12 fittings leaking on the cold water side, As we know when you have an acid problem it will show up on the hot water side first. As far as heating up the fittings I have 1/2" 90s about a foot away from the tees without any leaking. So why would acid only eat up certain fittings, why would condensation only effect certain fittings. The fittings involve are in a straight line from well to water heater. I think this problem is deeper then the usual.

TheMaster · 03-08-2010, 10:41 AM

Sand in the water,acid water or bad crimps. Now go cut it out and see why.....its easier than guessing.

Ron · 03-08-2010, 10:59 AM

When was the last time you calibrated your crimper?

Protech · 03-08-2010, 02:37 PM

Is it a pinhole leak in the actual brass fitting or is it leaking between the pex pipe and the brass fitting? If it's a crimp system and it's leaking at the joint, then the crimpers will need to be adjusted. Any crimps that have been leaking for more than a day or so must be cut out.

If the joints are cold expansion joints (wirso/uponor) then they may have been held open to long in cold conditions and the hair dryer trick may work.

If you have pinhole leaks in the brass fittings than you should have used plastic fittings instead of brass due to the aggressive water. You could install and acid neutralizer as well. The trouble with reliance on neutralizers is that every time it falls out of maintenance, the water system starts getting damaged irreversibly.

03-07-2010, 10:09 PM	#1
express Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 250 My Photos	leaking pex I having a problem with pex leaking on the cold water line on a 1-1/2 year old repipe. Pex cold water line starts at one end of the basement and goes to the other side to a electric hot water heater. 90's and tees along the way have started leaking under where the pipe connects to the fitting. the tees are feeding the fixtures above, no leaking from any 90s that come off the tees. There is no leaking on the hot water side. We do know that we have an acid problem that we are having tested but don't feel this is the problem because no leakish on the hot side. Here is something unusual, the well is shared with the neighbor and the pump and power is on the neighbors property. Some have suggested I have a stray electric current either coming from the well pump or from the water heater wanting to get to ground. Anybody ever come across this problem and how would I test for it? Thanks for your help

03-07-2010, 10:34 PM	#2
Redwood jA-Rod dat u? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 9,252 My Photos	Acidic water could be your whole problem. Sounds like you need an acid neutralizer for starters and whatever else the test says you need. __________________ *"Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism, as it is the merger of corporate and government power."* ~Benito Mussolini~ Lloyd Blankfein for President 2012 - Save Money Cut Out The Middleman! 411 Plumb Appliance Stimulus Package

03-07-2010, 10:45 PM	#3
M5Plumb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: SW Washington, PDX OR Posts: 534 My Photos	Try getting a hair dryer and blow warm air across those fittings and see if the problem stops? Sometimes cold temps, cold water may seep on those fittings and the hot air can seal em up. Try it and post your results. __________________ M5 Plumbing Services llc Serving the Portland Vancouver area 360 624 8376 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

03-08-2010, 10:59 AM	#9
Ron Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 8,635 My Photos	When was the last time you calibrated your crimper? __________________ Stephen Hawking: If the government is covering up knowledge of Aliens, they are doing a better job of it then they do at anything else. Last edited by Ron; 03-08-2010 at 11:28 AM..

03-08-2010, 02:37 PM	#10
Protech ٩(͡๏̯͡๏)۶ Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Polk County, Florida Posts: 7,165 My Photos	Is it a pinhole leak in the actual brass fitting or is it leaking between the pex pipe and the brass fitting? If it's a crimp system and it's leaking at the joint, then the crimpers will need to be adjusted. Any crimps that have been leaking for more than a day or so must be cut out. If the joints are cold expansion joints (wirso/uponor) then they may have been held open to long in cold conditions and the hair dryer trick may work. If you have pinhole leaks in the brass fittings than you should have used plastic fittings instead of brass due to the aggressive water. You could install and acid neutralizer as well. The trouble with reliance on neutralizers is that every time it falls out of maintenance, the water system starts getting damaged irreversibly. __________________ Plumber, Repiping, Replumbing, Leak Detection, Solar Water Heater, Drain Cleaner, Pipe Leak, Polk County Plumber, Lakeland Plumber, Winter Haven Plumber, Haines City Plumber, Bartow Plumber

03-08-2010, 09:39 AM	#7
express Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 250 My Photos	I have about 12 fittings leaking on the cold water side, As we know when you have an acid problem it will show up on the hot water side first. As far as heating up the fittings I have 1/2" 90s about a foot away from the tees without any leaking. So why would acid only eat up certain fittings, why would condensation only effect certain fittings. The fittings involve are in a straight line from well to water heater. I think this problem is deeper then the usual.

03-08-2010, 10:41 AM	#8
TheMaster Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6,437 My Photos	Sand in the water,acid water or bad crimps. Now go cut it out and see why.....its easier than guessing.

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