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Kitec pipe cross section view from Meacham (2003) patentPlastic Piping Leak FAQs
Q&A on cause, cure, prevention of plastic pipe leaks

Questions & answers about the causes of leaks in plastic water supply or drain piping & several class action suits about leaky plastic piping.

This article series describes the causes of damaged or leaky buried plastic water pipe & resulting poor water pressure, poor water flow, or water leaks in water piping between a well or municipal water service main & the building.

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Q&A on Causes of Leaks in Plastic Piping

These questions & answers about leaky plastic supply or drain pipe causes were posted originally at PLASTIC PIPE LEAK CAUSES - be sure to review that article too.

On 2019-01-31 - by (mod) -

break & leak at threaded end of gray PVC plastic pipe:

Anonymous said by private email:

I would very much appreciate the opportunity to consult with an expert for a fee-based consultation having to do with gray market PVC couplings.

These are the only photos I have.

I need a way to prove/demonstrate that this was the case in regards to this failure/installation.

This plastic piping part has no stampings and I’m told is normally thrown out and replaced with approved (ASTM or other) parts when they come with AC units from China or Vietnam (also known as gray market parts).

Where can I go to find additional unmarked type, gray market fittings?

On 2019-01-31 - by (mod) - How to track down the origin of failed plastic piping

Just about all plastic piping parts bear stampings that can be tracked to the brand or manufacturer. look for unique numbers, stampings, mold marks - else the piping's origin cannot be traced except by purchase receipts.

You might find additional fittings, remove them, and have them tested by an appropriate lab though there are obvious difficulties in proving that any two completely-un-marked pipe fittings are even from the same manufacturer and of the same chemistry; it's possible but probably expensive.

You might also go to the time of original installation of this piping, find the installing contractor, obtain copies of the contractor's purchase receipts showing the gray PVC pipe supplier from which the pipe was purchased, then contact the supplier to identify the supply source they used at that time.

On 2017-07-16 22:58:27.791904 by (mod) -

Ed

With the pump power turned off, unless yours is an Artesian well the pressure will fall and the water spitting from your pipe will probably stop soon

You have a couple of options that can slow the leak if you can actually get enough access to all sides of the pipe by wrapping electrical tape or duct tape or any such tape that you have at hand around the damaged area.

However that is probably not going to stop the leak. There also are clamp-on pipe repairs sold at hardware stores that you could use if a store is quite nearby to you.

However if the pressure drop is sufficient then you don't need to do those things. If you need it to use the well to get water and can't get an immediate repair to the pipe then you should look at a clamp-on type pipe repair kit from your hardware store.

On 2017-07-16 22:30:03.405946 by Ed Martin

Water is spitting thru plastic pipe coming thru foundation from outside pump!

I turned off breaker to the water pump and the water is still spitting thru pipe.

Called well men to repair, is there any other action I can take while waiting?

On 2017-03-02 17:35:54.859974 by (mod) -

Sounds like a leak

On 2017-03-01 15:25:20.716694 by James Richard

Above "U" pvc pipe of kitchen sink at connecting joint is a thin black ring stain, color. Does this black stain indicate a wayer leak at the joint?

On 2017-02-14 14:08:44.273653 by (mod) -

I'm worried too, not just about damage to the PEX or its connections (ask the PEX manufacturer their opinion but more important, make a very close inspection and perhaps a pressure test of the tubing for leaks or cuts) but I'm also worried that an idiot is putting your PEX tubing too deep into the slab

- search InspectApedia.com for RADIANT HEAT FLOOR MISTAKES

to see how disastrous that mistake will be. I would STOP THE JOB until those questions are answered as it will be nearly impossible to fix major errors later.

On 2017-02-14 06:44:38.722584 by Eddie

We are building a new home with in slab radiant heat. I'm the basement slab there is wire reinforcement mesh under the PEX, incompetent gas fitters were trampling over the piping with steel toe boots and now there are small dents in the tubing where it was in contact with the wire.

Should I push my plumber to replace the piping?

Joints are not permissible so the entire zone would need to be redone. Note: the zone passes a pressure test now, but who knows 10 years from now...

On 2017-01-30 22:29:54.076083 by (mod) -

Lucy

Please search InspectApedia for PUMP WON'T STOP RUNNING to read the common causes and cures for a pump that won't shut off.

On 2017-01-30 22:26:01.701060 by lucy

water pressure stays at 25 will not go up or down. will not shut off well pump
is a brand new well pump and pressure switch and gauge

On 2016-07-11 20:00:25.438817 by (mod) -

You say the (nearly-punctured) tubing was replaced by clamping in a new section,

then you say that the nearly-punctured tubing was repaired with caulk.

I'm left dazed and confused in Poughkeepsie.

But in any event my OPINION is that caulking PEX tubing is not a very nice repair; I'd replace the damaged section AND I'd use PEX-approved fittings to install the new length.

On 2016-07-11 19:12:38.248514 by mark

Our contractor accidentally drilled into the floor heating PEX tubing when preparing to attach a deck to the 14'x24' building.

A plumber replaced the damaged tubing section and cramped it between the two ends where it leaked fluid. The part where the tubing was nearly punctured but hadn't gone right through, he repaired by putting heavy-duty caulking. Is this okay, or will we have problems in the future?

On 2016-06-04 by (mod) -

Merv, your plumber is trying to hold down costs by focusing on the worst-known issue.

Sharkbite information is available from

On 2016-06-04 by Merv Woods

Our condo water supply plumbing is Kitec (engineered pipe with aluminum sleeve) piping with Kitec (brass with about 405 zinc0 fittings that I understand are susceptible to dezincification. Our plumber suggests only replacing the Kitec fittings with Sharkbite fittings rather than replacing all fittings and piping. Any useful comments, warnings or concerns would be most appreciated Thanks.


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