I have grey 1/2 inch plastic tubing running throughout the boat for the hot and cold water systems. I have a problem locating replacement fittings. The end of the rigid tubing fits onto a plastic barbed fitting at the water heater. A white nut then screws onto the barbed fitting holding it in place like a compression fitting would but without a ferrule on the tubing. The plastic nut cracked and I can't find ANY parts that would work at any marine stores, Home Depot , lowes, or hardware stores. Anyone gave any ideas where to look?
Fresh water plumbing
- Thread starter bkair
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- Joined
- Aug 5, 2008
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Just a guess but I think you are describing Flair it fittings
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=flair+it+fittings&tbm=shop
You can also use pexs fitting as well both will work. I like the shark bite pex fittings because you can quick release them but they are a lot more money. The Flair it fittings link is not a company I purchased from they are readily available now that you know what they are called you will not have a problem finding them. I stock two or three of anything I might need. I also bought end caps so I can discount lines and cap them off either to bypass a leaking line or to simply isolate lines to test for leaks, they come in handy and they are cheap.
I hope this helps!
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=flair+it+fittings&tbm=shop
You can also use pexs fitting as well both will work. I like the shark bite pex fittings because you can quick release them but they are a lot more money. The Flair it fittings link is not a company I purchased from they are readily available now that you know what they are called you will not have a problem finding them. I stock two or three of anything I might need. I also bought end caps so I can discount lines and cap them off either to bypass a leaking line or to simply isolate lines to test for leaks, they come in handy and they are cheap.
I hope this helps!
- Joined
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Ace Hardware
- Joined
- May 12, 2009
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I'm slowly replacing all the grey polybutyl on my boat with white PEX. The grey poly-b is brittle, doesn't like vibration, and the plastic fittings are prone to cracking. Every spring when I commission the domestic water system I find a leak, usually a cracked fitting, and I replace a section with PEX using 1/2" crimp fittings. The new system is bullet proof.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2008
- RO Number
- 30499
- Messages
- 6,405
Here is an article you may find interesting regarding polybutylene piping. I'm not suggesting everyone run out and change their pipes but problems are common.
http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/polybutylene-class-action
http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/polybutylene-class-action
The grey piping is typically referred to by the trade name Qest. As the link above shows, it didn't work out well.
Some tips:
- Tighten the Qest connections ONLY until they "squeak". Over-tightening will cause them to crack and/or leak.
- Replace with PEX tubing - again, a trade name for cross-linked polyethylene; other brands are fine. All are inexpensive.
- All threaded Qest connections can be mated to standard plumbing fittings in common sizes (1/2", 3/4", etc.) You can replace just one section at a time.
- Use "SharkBite" connectors (or similar brands) to make instant, tight, removable and repairable connections with PEX.
- Invest in the correct crimping tool if you want permanent PEX connections; don't go cheap on this. Or use the more expensive SharkBite connectors everywhere.
- It's possible to buy connectors that "click" onto the Qest tubing like SharkBite does onto PEX. But seriously, just replace the tubing if you can.
Some tips:
- Tighten the Qest connections ONLY until they "squeak". Over-tightening will cause them to crack and/or leak.
- Replace with PEX tubing - again, a trade name for cross-linked polyethylene; other brands are fine. All are inexpensive.
- All threaded Qest connections can be mated to standard plumbing fittings in common sizes (1/2", 3/4", etc.) You can replace just one section at a time.
- Use "SharkBite" connectors (or similar brands) to make instant, tight, removable and repairable connections with PEX.
- Invest in the correct crimping tool if you want permanent PEX connections; don't go cheap on this. Or use the more expensive SharkBite connectors everywhere.
- It's possible to buy connectors that "click" onto the Qest tubing like SharkBite does onto PEX. But seriously, just replace the tubing if you can.
X2!
The Sharkbites just saved me a lot of trouble if not expense replacing leaking valves at home in a complex configuration inextremely difficult area, with their ball valves and many other really handy fittings. Works on copper and Pex amongst others.
I don't know how appropriate they may be on boat systems but they certainly are surprisingly reliable at home even when the tubing connections are not perfectly straight shots into the SB fittings. With added benefit the tubing easily twists inside the fittings without leakage for better orientation of valves or other fittings .