Freeze break repair: '74 Soverign

[Thomasmg]

The water supply copper pipes in my '74 are, by design, 5/8 copper. Brilliant !! I need to splice in some pex pipe for now. Having trouble locating 5/8" fittings with Sharkbite push fit couplings, and the 5' of pex pipe I need. Assistance folks, please!

[cwf]

Where have you looked for the parts?
McMaster-Carr has them.... www.mcmaster.com

perhaps even Grainger.. or a local 'plumbing' store. (especially an 'established' plumbing store)

[dbj216]

Dog gone plumbing parts are sized different ways. Maybe you have measured the OD of your Airstream's copper lines? If you measured 5/8" OD, you are working with 1/2" ID, which is a common size for copper tube and pipe. If you mean the ID is 5/8", then the OD would be 3/4. That's pretty big for a camper.

Here is a reference table for copper tubing:

copper pipe

I suspect your hardware store will have PEX to copper fittings. Sharkbite and other brand "push to connect" fittings may work for you. I've also seen PEX fittings for copper to PEX tubing. These copper fittings require soldering.

You gotta shop by ID size, knowing full well what the OD is when dealing with copper.

I think I've got that right. I often get confused.

David

[J. Morgan]

A good freeze will "resize" copper pipe quite effectively.

They don't make couplers for these "custom sizes".


1/2 Ton 4WD Truck, 72 Sovereign Hensley Arrow

[CBWELL]

The copper in your '74 is 1/2". Pex to replace as much as possible. Sharkbite fittings are expensive, and in most cases not required. Go to Home Depot and pick up an inexpensive pex tool and start!! The fun begins!!! Chris

[cwf]

Also... 'tubing' is gauged I.D... Right? The tubing could have expanded, too.. So measure up...

[Can of beans]

the pipe swelled from ice,
I tried to make some custom fittings to adapt pex into my '73 to fix a break near the water heater, and I just chased leaks back. until I got mad and replaced it all with pex. replacing the plumbing took a day, and a lot of that was replacing the drain complex near the water tank. then I tried to drain the tank with those drains one time, what a waste. I got rid of the check valve at the city water inlet and just pump the water out of there.

[TomKirk]

I have a 77 AS. Main water lines are 5/8" copper "tubing;" not the same as 1/2" rigid copper "pipe;" oh so close, but no cigar. 5/8" comes in "tubing" size only. "Pipe" sizes are different.

Proper repair would be 5/8 brass flair nuts together with associated brass fittings and a length of 5/8 copper tubing as needed. You'll need a tubing flair tool for the job.

Plan-B: Use 5/8" compression fittings; if you can find them.

Remember, 5/8 fittings are an odd size. But I have good luck at Ace Hardware when I need them.

However, in addition to the crack in the copper tubing, there's a really good chance that the surrounding tubing has expanded as well, thereby making the above repair virtually impossibe. You'll need to measure the outside diameter (of existing tubing) with good calipers and compare OD with new 5/8 tubing in store.

Plan-C: I purchased two 1/2" plumbing repair sleeves at Lowe's about 12 years ago. They replaced the "inner tube and hose clamp repair" done by the previous owner. My sleeves are well "buried," so I can't measure them. But they're about 3" in pipe length plus another 2" in tightening-screw height. 1) It was an easy repair. 2) I haven't had a leak since. In my book, that's what counts.

IMHO - Use the 1/2" repair sleeves together with a length of 5/8" copper tubing and you should be good to go.

Tom

[NavyCorpsman]

I've got a Copper/PEX hybrid too from the PO. If you cant find what you need online, find a local Master Plumber or Plumbers supply. They can look at it and tell you what it needs.
I hope it is an easy repair.
Clayton

[ALANSD]

pexuniverse.com is great. Replace it all then sell your copper to a recycler. You will get back most if not all of what you spent on the pex stuff. Crimp rings are easy too

[Thomasmg]

Originally Posted by CBWELL

The copper in your '74 is 1/2". Pex to replace as much as possible. Sharkbite fittings are expensive, and in most cases not required. Go to Home Depot and pick up an inexpensive pex tool and start!! The fun begins!!! Chris

I found sharkbite fittings, but the freeze expansion damage goes from behind the tub/shower (rear bath) to the kitchen sink. Now I have my work cut out for me. Just trying to get the drain removed from the tub. What a bear. AS threw these things together with glue with no regard for the future !

[garypk]

There are 2 different ways to look at piping different wall thicknesses depending on pressure. That said I doubt you'll find 5/8" in a house or trailer. When you buy copper coil or pipe refrigeration is listed by OD & water is listed by ID