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Wirsbo Propex fittings slipping on pipe

Al Corelli
Al Corelli Member Posts: 454
in THE MAIN WALL
We just push the rings on, leaving 1/32 to 1/16th inch over the edge. We do NOT hit the tubing with emery paper, as this wipes out the O2 barrier. Even when wet, this method works for us.

I too, wish for a non-tapered expander.

Comments

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I just ran some

    3/4 Aquapex in my sisters home this past week . Every time I tried to expand the joint , the outer pex ring would slip down the tubing , leaving about 1/4 inch of the pex tubing ( not the outer ring ) exposed on the ends where it butts up to the brass adapter . I tried cheating the ring about 1/2 inch overlap over the tube before I expanded , same results . Is this an acceptable gap , or should I go back and redo the 4 joints ? I did use leftover 3/4 hePex rings on the aquapex . Was this the problem ? This issue wasn't brought up in the Wirsbo class I attended a few years ago . Could it have been the high heat and humidity ? I did wipe off the pipe and ring before fitting them up .


    Does Wirsbo make a nut and ferrel fastening system rated for domestic use ? Thanks in advance for any help .
  • John Felciano
    John Felciano Member Posts: 411
    Wirsbo

    We have had the same problems when the pipe is wet or when conditions were damp or humid.Try scuffing up the surface of the pipe slightly with emery cloth works for us every time.
    stormbytes
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    Ron, place the thumbnail on the back of the O....

    then pump the tube and O up ...one other way pump the O just a little bit to expand it just a bit first,put the expanded O over the pipe,back it with the thumb nail and pump it up ...*~/:)

    i think the gritch cloth works ok also, however i pretty much gave up on that technique.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Checked on the fittings today

    All 4 are holding strong , but I worry about what'll happen over time . Someone told me the pex would hold on the fitting by itself , and the outer ring is added insurance . Any truth to that ? I'd sleep a little easier if that is the case . Thanks for the emory cloth trick .
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    We tried

    holding back the ring with Channellocks , it either would stop the pump action , or when we'd loosen the grip the ring would slip . We tried doubling up the ring . We tried holding back by hand - nothing stopped the ring from moving . I don't like the design of the Propex tool . I wish they made the expansion part straight instead of tapered - the ring wouldn't slip with a straight end pushing on the pex . Hmm.... the Sharkbite fittings are looking better and better .
  • Geo_5
    Geo_5 Member Posts: 69
    pex ring

    The only luck I've had was to expand the ring itself first and let it hang over the tubing about a 1/4"then expand...works great.
  • Cosmo_3
    Cosmo_3 Member Posts: 845
    No problem

    The rings do slip when things get wet, or hi ambient humiditity. But this is not a big problem, just keep expanding and after making the joint I just take my Knipex smooth parallel jaw wrench and push the ring back over the fitting. On big fittings you can coerce things a little with a soft mallet and a smooth jaw wrench.

    Cosmo Valavanis

    Dependable P.H.C. Inc.
  • John Felciano
    John Felciano Member Posts: 411
    Al

    Aquapex doesn't have a barrier.
  • toearly_2
    toearly_2 Member Posts: 78
    Try

    If the fittings are wet they tend to slip.

    Also. We have found that wearing surgical gloves on hot and humid days helps big time. The oils and sweat from your hands is enough to make those rings slip.

    The gloves work well

    David

    > 3/4 Aquapex in my sisters home this past week .

    > Every time I tried to expand the joint , the

    > outer pex ring would slip down the tubing
  • Al Corelli
    Al Corelli Member Posts: 454


    I know that. We don't use AquaPex, Only hePex.
  • EJW
    EJW Member Posts: 321
    Pex

    God I love Heatway pex and the cinch clamp!! EJW
  • Bob Forand
    Bob Forand Member Posts: 305


    I love the fact that everyone posting has their own way of correcting a deficiency...There are other brands.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Care to name any ?

    And their fastening methods for domestic water ?
  • Cosmo_3
    Cosmo_3 Member Posts: 845
    HUH?

    Just to put it out there, I think that the Propex fitting from Wirsbo is awesome. It is fast, cheap, and gets stronger with age. Can you say that w/ the crimp sleeve stuff? I trust the Propex fittings, have been using them from the beginning and will continue to do so, period.

    In other words there is no need to look at another brand just because of the pex ring slipping once in a while. I have more tips- because I have been using the Propex system so long my expander tool was slipping out while expanding, just take a little plumbers sandcloth and rub the gripping surface on the head and poof.... works like new.

    I have tried a lot of other tubing and in my opinion Uponor (Wirsbo) has the best tubing and quality control out there.


    Cosmo Valavanis

    Dependable P.H.C. Inc.
    stormbytes
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Not a deficiency!

    Further, there are three other fitting assemblies that Wirsbo offers for their AquaPex and HePEXplus if you don't care for the ProPEX.

    I prefer the ProPEX fitting over the others and I would also agree with you that there are some really cool fittings out there. This should be NO reason to switch brands. Simply switch fitting methods. Noone has more choices than Big W.

    http://free.hostdepartment.com/r/radiantfloors/

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  • Cosmo_3
    Cosmo_3 Member Posts: 845
    other fitting methods

    Yes, I have seen the influx of other fitting systems for Uponor (Wirsbo) pipe. I think the reason we see this now is because of the merging together of Uponor's brands into one.

    In my opinion I don't really see a use for the crimp fitting at all.

    The Propex fitting is what I will be using for a long time.

    The other fitting system available is the APC (Axial Press Connection), this is the strongest fitting system I have seen. The only reason I do not use it is the added expense over the Pro pex system.

    Check out the website- www.wirsbo.com

    No matter the fitting the Tubing in my opinion is unmatched

    Cosmo Valavanis

    Dependable P.H.C. Inc.
  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    Looks good, works good, priced right,

    isn't temperature sensitive, doesn't require surgical gloves, sweat proof, available in anytown USA. Why argue with sucess.

    I have used the copper crimp ring for over 20 years now, what's not to like.

    The Odtiker (sp) clamp is a cumbersome, leak prone, hand ripping crimp ring want a be :)

    Seems to me if the ASTM and SDR numbers match the fitting should perform just fine?

    hot rod

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  • jeff_51
    jeff_51 Member Posts: 545
    we use the viega

    very simple, I think musch easier than the wirsbo
  • Paul Rohrs_4
    Paul Rohrs_4 Member Posts: 466
    I have seen this happen on occasion.....

    and the culprit (Usually) was when the tool had to much lithium grease applied. It would get on the threads of the expander head and not grip it adequately. Use a degreaser on the head it will clean up like new. This might not be the culprit in your application, but I have seen that happen more than once. It should be a light film on the barrel of the tool before the head is screwed on.

    Regards,

    PR

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  • Tim Doran
    Tim Doran Member Posts: 208
    Call Me

    Ron, give myself or Dave Holdorf a call. We would be glad to stop by to have a look at what is going on. My new office number is 631-537-5767. I'll be back in the office on Thursday.

    Tim D.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Tim

    Is that a Suffolk County number ? Didn't realize you were on Long Island . I'll be going back this weekend and if I can't get the ring and pipe to butt up evenly on the brass adapter , I'll definitely give you a call .

    2 questions in the meantime . Are the hePex and Aquapex outer rings the same material ? And if the ring slips down the pipe 1/4 inch from the end is that within tolerances ? Thanks alot Tim .
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    Hey Hot Rod

    that is the exact same gap I had with the pex rings . What type of fastening tool is used for that ring ?
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    I'm pretty sure

    it wasn't the grease , I forgot to lube it and the last time I used it was months ago . Thanks for the heads up though . I'm thinking the problem was that the tubing sat in my hot humid truck most of the day and then in the hot humid house . My clammy hands didn't help either . The only other time I used the rings was on 3/4 hePex in mid winter - no problem with the rings slipping , but damn did it take a long time to shrink back and grip the adapter tight !
  • Tim Doran
    Tim Doran Member Posts: 208
    Suffolk County

    Yup, it is a Suffolk County number, we just moved back to Bridgehampton about a month ago. The rings are the same for both hepex and aquapex. Going by the book if the ring slips down that far the connection is no good.

    Tim D.
  • Cosmo_3
    Cosmo_3 Member Posts: 845
    cold weather

    In cold weather, to help shrink the tube just hold it in your hand for a while to warm it up, or I have a heatgun to do this real quick.


    Cosmo Valavanis

    Dependable P.H.C. Inc.
  • Tim Doran
    Tim Doran Member Posts: 208
    Hand warmer

    I keep the rings in a pocket or pouch with a couple of those disposable hand warmers. Seems to help speed up the retraction.
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