Replacing Bathroom Faucet

[Dooley]

2021 Grand Design Imagine XLS 22 MLE
I noticed a small leak around flexible mesh vinyl water line and connection. Now is a good time to upgrade to better faucet and hardware. As you can see in photo the vinyl water line appears to be secured to swivel adapter with a pex clamp. I thought this was not recommended. In any event, can someone please advise the best swivel adapter (barb fitting, flanged, brass not plastic) Should I use a worm clamp to secure or pex clamp? All "how to videos" on youtube are all about pex for obvious reasons. However, GD used the vinyl line to faucets, toilet, etc.

 

[Dooley]

I have no idea why the pictures got "turned"

 

[Riverbug]

When I work on anything, I replace the plastic fittings with brass Pex. Do not use worm clamps for any of these connections, it just creates a headache. The trick to getting a good seal with a pex ring on the vinyl hose is to use a heat gun to heat the hose, slip the ring on, then attach to the fitting and crimp the ring while it's still warm. It helps the vinyl conform better. I haven't had a leak in many years of using that method. Heating it also makes it easier to get the ring on, but it can still be a pain. A little silicone grease can help. But depending on how far I want to go into the project, I replace the vinyl with Pex tubing if I can. But usually that means going into the belly so unless I already have to go in there for some other reason, I'll just use the vinyl.

 

[Dooley]

When I work on anything, I replace the plastic fittings with brass Pex. Do not use worm clamps for any of these connections, it just creates a headache. The trick to getting a good seal with a pex ring on the vinyl hose is to use a heat gun to heat the hose, slip the ring on, then attach to the fitting and crimp the ring while it's still warm. It helps the vinyl conform better. I haven't had a leak in many years of using that method. Heating it also makes it easier to get the ring on, but it can still be a pain. A little silicone grease can help. But depending on how far I want to go into the project, I replace the vinyl with Pex tubing if I can. But usually that means going into the belly so unless I already have to go in there for some other reason, I'll just use the vinyl.

Great advice, thank you. do you know if this flexible vinyl line is 1/2"? Inside diameter the same? If so, I would need a brass pex flanged swivel connector (1/2"). Pex cinch ring 1/2"? Since the cinch ring is so difficult to slip on, would a 3/4" cinch ring tighten up enough? I apologize for all the questions, simply uncertain. Thanks again.

 

[Riverbug]

Great advice, thank you. do you know if this flexible vinyl line is 1/2"? Inside diameter the same? If so, I would need a brass pex flanged swivel connector (1/2"). Pex cinch ring 1/2"? Since the cinch ring is so difficult to slip on, would a 3/4" cinch ring tighten up enough? I apologize for all the questions, simply uncertain. Thanks again.

No problem with the questions... Yep, 1/2" pex ring, 1/2" pex fittings. 3/4" will definitely be too big. As long as I heat up the vinyl tubing, I don't have too much trouble getting the ring to slip on. But I am now in the habit of having the silicone grease handy. The inside dimension of the vinyl tubing is usually slightly larger than the pex fitting. Fitting will be loose prior to crimping the ring on, but that's where heating it up really helps. If you don't then it doesn't tend to conform as well to the fitting. Heating it allows it to conform nicely.

 

[Dooley]

No problem with the questions... Yep, 1/2" pex ring, 1/2" pex fittings. 3/4" will definitely be too big. As long as I heat up the vinyl tubing, I don't have too much trouble getting the ring to slip on. But I am now in the habit of having the silicone grease handy. The inside dimension of the vinyl tubing is usually slightly larger than the pex fitting. Fitting will be loose prior to crimping the ring on, but that's where heating it up really helps. If you don't then it doesn't tend to conform as well to the fitting. Heating it allows it to conform nicely.

I sincerely appreciate your time and the advice. Many thanks.