[JLawrence08648]

A friend called me, he had a very small ceiling leak, constant slow drip, ruined the ceiling's sheetrock. I cut and pulled pieces down and saw the leak at a Pex Cooper connection. I told him to call a plumber as I've never worked with Pex and don't own the tools. He said he trusted me and would buy the tools for me if I did it. I said let me check.

It's seeping out at the end. It seems like the ring clamp is not tight enough? He's been there a number of years and this was a repair as the Pex replaced some of the copper tubing by the previous owner. Do I put another ring clamp around it? If that's it, and do it this way then do I let it sit for a few days or week, weeks, to see if it starts to leak again or can I go right to patching the ceiling? He's going out tomorrow to buy a sheet of sheetrock.

What tools do I need, clamp recommendations? Home Depot for this stuff?

 

[joecaption]

No pictures so where all going to have to guess.
HD rents a PEX crimper.

 

[JLawrence08648]

Picture coming. My friend is sending one.

 

[Chris616]

The three common PEX connection methods are rings of one type or another which are not possible to add to an existing connection. You’ll need to take the leaking connection apart. I’ve only used the type at the top in the graphic below. It’s possible to carefully cut the ring with a grinder so that the fitting onto which it clamps is not damaged. If there is sufficient slack you can cut the PEX back a bit and put a new ring onto PEX that hasn't been already deformed.

Chris

 

[JLawrence08648]

It's the top ring and there is no slack. I have a Dremel tool, I was hoping to grind a cut and peel it off then put a new one on.

 

[bfrabel]

I don't think I'd reuse that section of pipe and fittings. I'm pretty sure they sell small pieces of pex at the big box stores. If there is no slack, cut out a section and graft in a new section with couplings.

 

[huesmann]

Is the PEX crimped directly onto the copper pipe, no connecting fitting?

 

[rjniles]

Is the PEX crimped directly onto the copper pipe, no connecting fitting?

That can't be done, requires a fitting.

 

[JLawrence08648]

Here's a picture. Wonder what a plumber would charge? and instead I would use that money to buy the tool.

 

[rjniles]

You can buy a tool that will do multiple sizes of stainless steel rings for under $50. A plumber will charge a minimum of $150-300. That by the way is a copper crimp ring vs the SS rings. For those you need the specific size tool.

Are you sure it is leaking from the PEX side and not the copper sweat side?

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[JLawrence08648]

From the picture above supplied by Chris616, and info by rjnikes, I see the difference now between a copper crimp ring and stainless. The stainless being stronger? would mean a tighter clamp, stronger seal? less chance of a leak? So I should be buying only stainless clamps and the appropriate tool?

 

[Chris616]

Here are the pros and cons of the three methods. The ring made of PEX that is mechanically expanded was too expensive when I evaluated which option to use, but I understand that prices have dropped. My subjective evaluation of the two metal ring options led me to choose the copper crimp rings. You’ll have to decide which is the best choice for you. If you decide to go with the copper crimp ring it would be interesting to use the go/no-go gauge on the existing ring before you cut it off to see if it was crimped properly.
https://www.plumbermag.com/how-to-a...ection_with_pex_the_good_the_bad_and_the_ugly

In any case, while you’ll be able to cut off the existing copper ring with a Dremel tool without damaging the fitting, you won’t be able to do it without damaging the PEX, so just putting another ring on and crimping it isn’t an option.

Once you’ve exposed the fitting you’ll probably be able to see, from the deposits left behind, where the leak was. You’ll need to satisfy yourself that the fitting isn’t the problem before you go ahead and reuse it.

Chris

 

[SeniorSitizen]

I'd be replacing the brass fitting because the way the pex is belled on the end someone used the wrong fitting. With the right fitting a piece of Balen Wire twisted tight or a spring clamp would work but i'd go with a stainless band.

 

[Old Thomas]

I used a copper ring system for a long time and recently switched to the stainless rings. The stainless ring tool is small and fits tight spaces where my copper ring crimped cannot go. If it is the ring joint leaking, borrow a crimper and crimp the existing ring again. Often that works.

 

[rjniles]

I used a copper ring system for a long time and recently switched to the stainless rings. The stainless ring tool is small and fits tight spaces where my copper ring crimped cannot go. If it is the ring joint leaking, borrow a crimper and crimp the existing ring again. Often that works.

Exactly what I would do, try a re-crimp. I also have recently switched from copper crimp rings to the stainless rings. As I near old age (over 70), the stainless ring tool ratchets much easier than my old long handled copper crimp ring tools.

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[Javiles]

Also Check That transition fitting make sure its the correct on and second make sure its clean no solder run off on the crimping end.

 

[huesmann]

Are you sure it is leaking from the PEX side and not the copper sweat side?

You can see the shape of the drip. It's "attached" to the PEX, but not attached to the copper.