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Plumbing fitting questions, copper, PEX, etc

16 years ago

I've just done some re-plumbing around a water heater in our house, which lead me to 3 questions:

1. Can I reuse PEX fittings? I had to cut out a few during the rework, and I use stainless steel pinch type crimp rings which can be removed as per the manufacturer's information. Is the actual fitting deformed in any way while crimping, or can I reuse them after taking off the crimp ring? ( I know, I know, PEX fittings don't cost a lot of money, just curious, and cheap :))

2. Is a copper union a one time use fitting? If I install one, then loosen it to remove one part of the pipe, can I re-tighten the same fitting, or it it deformed once and then won't reseal?

3. Similar to #2, how about a water heater installation compression fitting on flexible pipe? The original install had BrassCraft brand flexible brass pipe connect the water heater nipple and a male threaded fitting attached to the PEX line. I removed one, and replumbed using PEX directly. There is a brass ring beside the rubber washer in the female end of the compression fitting. This looks like it deforms with tightening. Can it be reinstalled on another fitting, or has the ring deformed once and that's it? If so, are new rings available, or is it a one time use item?

TIA!

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Comments (4)

jason1083
16 years ago
1) not sure
2) yes
3) no
jay_haitch
Original Author
16 years ago
I guess I deserved that :) My circumlocutary loquatiousness holds me in no good stead.

2) yes, copper unions can be retightend?

3) no that compression fitting cannot be reused?
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shadow700
16 years ago
I'm not sure if this is what you meant, but does #3 state that you connected PEX directly to the water heater?

I can't speak for all PEX manufacturers, but the ones I am familiar with specifically forbid the installation of PEX for the first 18" going in or out of a water heater. That is, you need 18" of something else between the HW heater and the PEX.
jay_haitch
Original Author
16 years ago
I didn't want to bog down my post with too much information, but to clarify, I added a 40 Imp. gal Giant brand (made in Quebec) electric water heater in series to the 75 US gal Marathon water heater I spec'd for our house, completed last year. The 105 gal Marathon I initially calculated would be enough for us is not available in Canada. The 75 US gal Marathon is mostly adequate, but the Mrs. wanted a greater reserve capacity, so I am experimenting with this set up. We have 43F incoming water temps in winter. In a few years I want to finish the mechanical room, and then I will buy a second Marathon tank.

We have very hard water, 36 (thirty six) grains, with a 70,000 grain softener. I want Marathon tanks due to their polybutylene/fibreglass construction, so no need for a rapidly consumed anode rod, nothing to rust. I know this steel tank won't last long with my heavily softened water, so I just bought a standard tank to see if this combo makes the Mrs. happy.

So yes, I placed 3/4 PEX onto a PEX/FIP adapter directly onto the hot water nipple of the Marathon tank. The 18 inch copper stub you speak of is needed for gas water heaters, because of the hot flue right next to the pipes.

My Marathon set up from the plumber had 2 BrassCraft flexible copper lines from the nipples to 3/4 PEX that runs throughout the house. We have a recirc line, 3/4 PEX not 1/2 for some reason piped to a Grundfos recirc pump that is plumbed into the drain port of the Marathon tank as per Marathon's recommendations. I removed one flexible copper line to connect the hot Marathon port to the cold Giant port. I thought of installing copper stubs with unions on the Marathon tank, but I had left over PEX so I used that instead.

So my number 3 question is can I reuse the flexible copper water heater connector if I choose, or is the crushed copper ring next to the rubber washer a one time only item? If so, are these copper rings available separately?

Thanks.

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