Leak from plastic plumbing T junction.

[Riverbankannie]

How does one investigate a water leak from a hot water pipe T junction?
It is black plastic and a bit awkward to get at behind the fridge.
Photos are rubbish.
First photo looking down on the piece (it’s at top of photo)
Do these just pull apart or need special tools ?
If leaking, would it need replacing ?
We have turned off pump and relieved pressure in the meantime.

If we cannot fix, bearing in mind we are away from home on a campsite near Swanage, so limited tools, our next option is to wait until Monday and throw ourselves on the mercy of Southdowns at Portsmouth and then hopefully get tunnel crossing Monday Evening. Anyone else around Southampton/Portsmouth area who could help ?

Third option go home

 

[Silver-Fox]

Yep photos are rubbish

The fittings look to be the type you push the ring furthest from the fitting toward the fitting.
This releases the pipe.

Make sure pump is off and pressure released from system

 

[DBK]

Just posted this on your other thread.

You can find YouTube videos on push fit connections. Just choose the right one as they are not all the same. There is a rubber seal inside and if you can clean and lubricate this it might solve the leak. If you can't easily sort the leaking T joint you can buy Fernox LS-X leak sealer from Screwfix and they might be open tomorrow, our local branch is open 7 days a week. It can be applied to the outside of joints but needs a few hours to cure although curing is faster if you spray a bit of water at it. Obviously you would need to turn off the water pump to temporarily stop the leak. Fernox isn't cheap but it is very effective.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Or self amalgamation tape and it’s cleaner to use than the fernox jullop

 

[swiftsteve]

they are john guest (type) push fit. to disconnect them, you have to push the top hat like section back into the fitting and the pipe will pull out easily. If the leak is from the joint, the pipe probably just needs pushing back into the T joint firmly.

 

[Speve]

they are john guest (type) push fit. to disconnect them, you have to push the top hat like section back into the fitting and the pipe will pull out easily. If the leak is from the joint, the pipe probably just needs pushing back into the T joint firmly.

Like he said push pipes in firmly with a very slight twist as the grippers will then grip on a fresh bit of pipe.

 

[TheBig1]

these joints also crack under stress. if re-seating the pipes in the joint does not solve the leak, a replacement is cheap

 

[Riverbankannie]

Yep photos are rubbish

The fittings look to be the type you push the ring furthest from the fitting toward the fitting.
This releases the pipe.

Make sure pump is off and pressure released from system

If we get it apart, can the joint be remade or is it a once only operation.
Hubby reluctant to do a ‘cover it up’ type repair unless necessary.

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[TheBig1]

Yes you can remake the joint and re-seat the pipes a couple of times

 

[Camping Gaza]

My trick is to push the ring very firmly and push the pipe in as well as this kind of helps get the ring in a bit better then with the ring very firmly pushed in pull out the pipe.

Don't give up if you find it hard at first, just keep going and it will come apart.

I think you will find that the pipe is leaking cos it needs to be pushed in a bit further, that's all.

I have used and fitted hundreds of these push fits in the past, amazing things!

 

[Silver-Fox]

If we get it apart, can the joint be remade or is it a once only operation.
Hubby reluctant to do a ‘cover it up’ type repair unless necessary.

Good for him bodgining only brings grief.

Yes you can reuse the fitting provided no stress crack as @TheBig1 mentioned.

Just cut a small piece off the end of the pipe with sharp Stanley knife.
Needs to be square cut and clean.

Push pipe back in all the way.
I then pull back a touch that should lock it into position.

Water pressure will usually do the same but I do it manually

 

[Riverbankannie]

Thanks again, now all we’ve got to do is find a screwdriver that will fit to remove the fridge fans so we can get a hand in. At home in garage of course!

 

[TheBig1]

b&q sell screwdrivers and replacement fittings

 

[pappajohn]

Just posted this on your other thread.

You can find YouTube videos on push fit connections. Just choose the right one as they are not all the same. There is a rubber seal inside and if you can clean and lubricate this it might solve the leak. If you can't easily sort the leaking T joint you can buy Fernox LS-X leak sealer from Screwfix and they might be open tomorrow, our local branch is open 7 days a week. It can be applied to the outside of joints but needs a few hours to cure although curing is faster if you spray a bit of water at it. Obviously you would need to turn off the water pump to temporarily stop the leak. Fernox isn't cheap but it is very effective.

Or self amalgamation tape and it’s cleaner to use than the fernox jullop

If it can be got at to apply paste or tape it can be got at to release the tee joint .

Replacement is a sure way to stop it.

Most of these you push the collar ring towards the joint and pull the pipe while holding the collar in. Some also need the pipe pushing in before being pulled out to release the locking tabs

 

[MisterB]

Push in plastic fittings are the work of the devil! That being said i use them all the time EXTERNALLY. Just put it down on your list of annual maintenance to check its seated correctly. If you do strip it down/out , then make sure there is a reinforcing spigot fitted inside the pipe.

 

[Riverbankannie]

It’s great having you guys with us for support !
Managed to get fridge fans off with the multi-ended screwdriver set which we (I) bought to carry for just such a purpose but at first use it was a bit fat in the handle to get between the vent opening and the side of the double fan unit. Of course the worry is one will drop a fiddly screw and it will fall away to the base of the fridge never to be found again.

Then a slight touch on the water fitting and it all came apart in his hands, one pipe obviously not fitted well.
Put it back together with keyhole surgery, using your tips and encouragement. Water on and pressurised and so far so good.

A virtual beer coming your way

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[Camping Gaza]

Push in plastic fittings are the work of the devil!

I never have an issue with my motorhome plumbing as I still have all lead pipes!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Push in plastic fittings are the work of the devil! That being said i use them all the time EXTERNALLY. Just put it down on your list of annual maintenance to check its seated correctly. If you do strip it down/out , then make sure there is a reinforcing spigot fitted inside the pipe.

There was not a reinforcing spigot so I think that will be on our to do list but himself prefers old cars so it won’t be high on the list.

 

[TheBig1]

that last photo reminds me of the story of the gynaecologist who wallpapered his hall, landing and stairwell through the letterbox on his front door

 

[Riverbankannie]

These jobs are made much harder when you cannot see what you are doing and I cannot do my usual support role of holding the torch. I was told to hold the screw, that he was trying to get out, and NOT DROP IT.
That’s easier said than done in that space and also not to hold it so tight that he couldn’t turn it.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Houston latest, we still have a problem !

 

[Silver-Fox]

Come on then spill the beans

 

[Richard n Ann]

Houston latest, we still have a problem !

There will be a minute scratch on the pipe that causes a tiny leak. Take the joint off completely and inspect the 'o' rings are seated correctly and there is no muck in there, you can even take them out and look for nicks in them.
Then cut 20mm off the ends of the pipes cleanly and plug together, you must feel it clunk in, otherwise it's not in.

I used speed fits for 8 years fitting beer dispence equipment (my 1st job) If that doesn't work, new fitting.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Still leaking from the same pipe going into the t joint.
Have made a plan to go to The Caravan Shop on A31 Wimborne in morning. Their website states they stock John Gest type fittings so hopefully get a replacement or a “spigot”!
We are at a lovely grassy field CL Rosemary Hill Farm by the steam line at Harmans Cross so not far away, they open at 10 on Sundays.

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[Riverbankannie]

There will be a minute scratch on the pipe that causes a tiny leak. Take the joint off completely and inspect the 'o' rings are seated correctly and there is no muck in there, you can even take them out and look for nicks in them.
Then cut 20mm off the ends of the pipes cleanly and plug together, you must feel it clunk in, otherwise it's not in.

I used speed fits for 8 years fitting beer dispence equipment (my 1st job) If that doesn't work, new fitting.

Thanks, we have cleaned and checked the joint but have to also purchase a Stanley knife. How many tools can you carry in a PVC? However I think a Stanley knife might be on my list but I’m not in charge of tools !

We usually find the spanner we need is in the wrong car or the wrong garage. Over the years I have bought and even made him toolkit holders to make transfer from vehicle to vehicle easier.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thanks, we have cleaned and checked the joint but have to also purchase a Stanley knife. How many tools can you carry in a PVC? However I think a Stanley knife might be on my list but I’m not in charge of tools !

We usually find the spanner we need is in the wrong car or the wrong garage. Over the years I have bought and even made him toolkit holders to make transfer from vehicle to vehicle easier.

9 times out of ten, cut the end of the pipe off, replug it in, sorted

 

[DBK]

While you're shopping buy some sticking plasters if you have to cut the pipe in situ as it could be tricky. Best to try and release the pipe at both ends and take it out first.

 

[Riverbankannie]

9 times out of ten, cut the end of the pipe off, replug it in, sorted

While you're shopping buy some sticking plasters if you have to cut the pipe in situ as it could be tricky. Best to try and release the pipe at both ends and take it out first.

Not sure we’ve got enough spare pipe so hopefully the caravan shop will have joint, pipe and cutting implement !

 

[MisterB]

Still leaking from the same pipe going into the t joint.
Have made a plan to go to The Caravan Shop on A31 Wimborne in morning. Their website states they stock John Gest type fittings so hopefully get a replacement or a “spigot”!
We are at a lovely grassy field CL Rosemary Hill Farm by the steam line at Harmans Cross so not far away, they open at 10 on Sundays.

Try b&q tonight !! Screwfix and toolstation also stock john guest but to be honest most makes will suffice. It may be that the threaded 'nut' might even be split. Are you sure its leaking from the same part of the T joint? You may have disturbed a different part of the joint.

 

[Speve]

There was not a reinforcing spigot so I think that will be on our to do list but himself prefers old cars so it won’t be high on the list.

They are called pipe inserts you need JG speedfit they’ll have everything you need.
As @MisterB said Screwfix will have pipe, fittings and cutter.