Seeping toilet (minor)

[Insist on live music]

While de-winterizing, I noticed toilet seeping fresh water (slowly). I believe fresh water PEX supply to back of toilet is leaking. (I've put 5,000 miles on it in Feb 2023 but still seems odd as there's no "trauma" to unit).

As I am ignorant working with plumbing & especially PEX, I seek guidance / affirmation how to repair. I think I merely need to loosen Black female coupler then re-wrap toilets' male thread with fresh plumbers tape and re-tighten. Yes?

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Jeepers. Just occured to me, there might be a non-visible crack in that "black coupler"?

 

[Riverbug]

First I would confirm that it is actually leaking at the fitting. You just want to confirm it is not leaking at the valve itself, which is not uncommon, but a bigger issue to resolve. If it is just the fitting then determine whether it is coming through the threads, a crack, or at the back where the hose connects to the fitting elbow. If it's leaking at the threads, just back off the fitting and wrap some new tape on and try again. Don't overtighten.

 

[trailrydr]

Good thing is..... the leak is above the floor making it an easy fix, and, doesnt require the coroplast to be removed.

 

[FT4NOW]

I would ensure the system is pressurized with water and see if you can determine where the leak originated. Those valves are not uncommon to fail, and easy to crack if not properly winterized. If the valve, its easy to remove and replace with new. That fitting doesnt need teflon tape, the threads dont create the seal, it uses a cone washer and too tight will cause it to leak. If the black fitting is cracked, it needs to be replaced, but it is flexible hose with a pex cinch ring and fitting, which is the wrong combination.

 

[Insist on live music]

While de-winterizing, I noticed toilet seeping fresh water (slowly). I believe fresh water PEX supply to back of toilet is leaking. (I've put 5,000 miles on it in Feb 2023 but still seems odd as there's no "trauma" to unit).

As I am ignorant working with plumbing & especially PEX, I seek guidance / affirmation how to repair. I think I merely need to loosen Black female coupler then re-wrap toilets' male thread with fresh plumbers tape and re-tighten. Yes?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Jeepers. Just occured to me, there might be a non-visible crack in that "black coupler"?

##### Affirm leak is at junction - between PEX and threaded toilet - "black" collar is NOT cracked, but seal inside black "collar" looks a little damaged to me. (damage may not be important). More photos added. #####

 

[Insist on live music]

I would ensure the system is pressurized with water and see if you can determine where the leak originated. Those valves are not uncommon to fail, and easy to crack if not properly winterized. If the valve, its easy to remove and replace with new. That fitting doesnt need teflon tape, the threads dont create the seal, it uses a cone washer and too tight will cause it to leak. If the black fitting is cracked, it needs to be replaced, but it is flexible hose with a pex cinch ring and fitting, which is the wrong combination.

%%%%% FT4NOW: Because I'm ignorant of PEX fittings, kindly explain your comment "wrong combination" at that juncture of the black female collar to threaded male fitting. This "fitting" is wrong? It should be some type of "other" type fitting?? It is poor workmanship / poor plumbing? (refer to 2 additional photos). Great thanks for you chiming in! %%%%%%%

 

[FT4NOW]

##### Affirm leak is at junction - between PEX and threaded toilet - "black" collar is NOT cracked, but seal inside black "collar" looks a little damaged to me. (damage may not be important). More photos added. #####

The white part you see inside is the cone washer, it looks partially crushed. You can purchase the washers and replace without removing the black fitting. It's for a 1/2" fitting. I would replace the washer, hand tighten the fitting until snug and see ifnthe leak is fixed, it is similar to an oil filter, too tight is no good.

 

[FT4NOW]

%%%%% FT4NOW: Because I'm ignorant of PEX fittings, kindly explain your comment "wrong combination" at that juncture of the black female collar to threaded male fitting. This "fitting" is wrong? It should be some type of "other" type fitting?? It is poor workmanship / poor plumbing? (refer to 2 additional photos). Great thanks for you chiming in! %%%%%%%

Its actually a well discussed issue on this forum. The outside diameter of the pex fitting is too small when compared to the inside diamter of the flexible hose. The fitting and cinch ring are designed for PEX tubing, not the flexible hose. If the leak isnt between the fittng and the hose, id leave it for now and focus on the cone washer i mentioned.

 

[Keebler]

I hate that GD used flex hose instead of pex there. That is a perfectly straight run coming up through the floor. I know my unit has pex coming up out of the floor. As a matter of fact, when I changed out my toilet, the new one didn't line up with the pex and I ended up cutting the pex and using a shark bite with a braided hose and a shutoff valve.

 

[Insist on live music]

Shark Bite

I hate that GD used flex hose instead of pex there. That is a perfectly straight run coming up through the floor. I know my unit has pex coming up out of the floor. As a matter of fact, when I changed out my toilet, the new one didn't line up with the pex and I ended up cutting the pex and using a shark bite with a braided hose and a shutoff valve.

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Yeah. I saw "Shark Bite" elbow while researching solution. Went to 3 local plumbing stores who dont' have right washer. Sigh. Last possibility was to order "elbow" from GD. Sigh. I believe / hope I found correct "cone washer" on Amazon.

[Flair-It Sales 16435 Plastic Santoprene Swivel Seal, 0.5' Size (pack of 10) ]. Trust the Amazon gonna git it done. More research is needed! Ha! Let ya know it doesn't work out

 

[FT4NOW]

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Yeah. I saw "Shark Bite" elbow while researching solution. Went to 3 local plumbing stores who dont' have right washer. Sigh. Last possibility was to order "elbow" from GD. Sigh. I believe / hope I found correct "cone washer" on Amazon.

[Flair-It Sales 16435 Plastic Santoprene Swivel Seal, 0.5' Size (pack of 10) ]. Trust the Amazon gonna git it done. More research is needed! Ha! Let ya know it doesn't work out

You could always purchase a new 1/2" pex fitting and take the washer out and install it in the currently installed fitting. Id say just swap the fitting, but you mentioned your inexperience with plumbing, and getting the flexible hose to not leak can sometimes be a project in itself.