Fresh Water lines

N

nph

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Joined
Apr 7, 2005
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16897
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I need too move my water heater. I am very familer with plumbing in a house, but not a boat.

The water lines are grey, and they look like PVC, but smaller in diameter mand seems softer. The fittings are crimped. What is this pipe, where can I find it and the fittings.

Thanks
 
It's quite popular on boats - they also used it in homes back in the '70's and '80's. Do a web search on polybutylene plumbing - you'll find more info than enough, on the subject.

Also, I spoke with George at BoatFix, and he's pretty sure that the Sea-Tech fittings will work with it (as long as you get the correct size). Check both pages 538 and 539:

http://www.boatfix.com/bypage.ASP?page=538&B9=Prev.+Page
 
I used all Sea Tech fittings and line when I replumbed my boat 3 yrs ago. Got it all from Boatfix. Great stuff- easy to assemble, and the waterlines come in blue and red for cold and hot. In 3 yrs of boating, and wide temperature swings, I've never had a leak or problem- great stuff.
 
I can't believe they are all gray from the factory. Mine are color coded. Leaking red fro leaking hot water and leaking blue for leaking cold water!! Just kidding about the leaks part. If you want to sink the money, you can also use a crimper to make the joints, however, the twist ons I have are holding just fine.
 
Could be older plumbing. I know that a few years ago, houseboats, mobile homes etc used the gray colored tubing. However after a class action lawsuit against the mobile home manufactures it stopped production. If memory serves me correct it had to do with the crimped connections. However you can go to Lowes (where I found mine) and get the screw on compresson fittings that will work on the lines. The colored lines blue for cold and red for hot that are being used now is PEX tubing. It comes in clear as well as other colors. They also make slip on fittings for this, they are a little more pricey, but it simply slips into and snaps into the fittings.
 
Just a follow up.

First of all thanks for all of the replys.

It is PEX plumbing. I did go to Lowes, and they did have some of the push on fittings, at about $6.00 per fitting and the tubing for $25.00 for 50 feet. They sold the crimp fittings but not the tool.

I was unable to find enough push on fittings to do what I needed. I added up the cost of the push on fittings, and found it worth buying the crimp tool to do the job right. The crimp rings were about 10 cents each and the fittings about 60 cents. I ended up buying them at a local plumbing supply house.

The water heater is back in, now I just need to wait for warm weather to test it with water!!!!

Again thanks for all of the help.
 
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