Scottp999
New Member
Hi, I'm stuck on how to fix a softener drain leak. I had a company come out last year for an install and re-config of my filter system,
and they changed the drain from standard 5/8" OD and 1/2" ID, over to PEX so that 2 devices could merge into same line and drain (one was a water softener and other a new Ion exchange for nitrate reduction).. They cut the 1/2" ID drain line and tried to mate it with the remaining PEX drain line that routes all the way to the drain. They were using the connection below, but with a male to barb connector that was plastic. Where the barb went into the 1/2ID drain line it was clamped down with a hose clamp. After a year the hose clamp loosened and the connection began to link.
When I took the clamp off, it seemed like the barbs going into the 1/2" ID drain line were too small, very easy to push in. This made me wonder if they were sized for the ID of PEX, which I think is .485" ID and not .50" and the installers just clamped down on it and hoped it worked. Today I tried another local plumbing company to try to fix the leak, because no matter how I tried to hose clamp it down it leaks. They came out, put in the metal male to pex fitting and crimped it down. They said it was fixed, gave me a bill and left. I was on calls for work and when i got to look at it, it was leaking again at the same place, just beyond the crimp from the .50ID normal drain line.
Is there a good way to properly mate these 2 lines so they don't leak?
When I took the clamp off, it seemed like the barbs going into the 1/2" ID drain line were too small, very easy to push in. This made me wonder if they were sized for the ID of PEX, which I think is .485" ID and not .50" and the installers just clamped down on it and hoped it worked. Today I tried another local plumbing company to try to fix the leak, because no matter how I tried to hose clamp it down it leaks. They came out, put in the metal male to pex fitting and crimped it down. They said it was fixed, gave me a bill and left. I was on calls for work and when i got to look at it, it was leaking again at the same place, just beyond the crimp from the .50ID normal drain line.
Is there a good way to properly mate these 2 lines so they don't leak?