Polybutylene to PEX B transition issue

[captbiggles]

Hi all. DIY homeowner here.
I need to use a transition coupling to couple polybutylene to Pex B (both 1/2" and 3/4"). The problem is that our well water is so hard (30 grains) that it corrodes and weakens metal couplings very quickly. Does anyone know of a plastic coupling for this purpose? I have looked, but haven't found anything. Failing that, would using something like a Sharkbite push fitting be advisable given the water's hardness?

Many thanks.

 

[Reach4]

It would be acidic water that could corrode and weaken metal couplings.

If your water is acid, you might treat that by injecting soda ash or other pH raiser.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Weekend Handyman]

You can get stainless steel fittings. You could check to see if that would be better than brass (I don’t know).

 

[Sarg]

I have the same POLY-B crap with hard well water ........ but I've only used the brass conversions. Never noted the SS versions until today. I have a large toolbag full of the various fittings including some Sharkbite ... but I prefer not to use them for a permanent fix ... just emergencies. With the Poly-B it's a matter of time for the leak to start.

 

[Reach4]

I found this link for what Sarg pictured:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Stainless-Steel-PEX-Crimp-to-Polybutylene-Couplings-35110000

They say that chlorine, fluorine, maybe others, in the water are what makes the PB deteriorate. For cold well water, the life would be longer. I don't find numbers however.

 

[Sarg]

I found this link for what Sarg pictured:
They say that chlorine, fluorine, maybe others, in the water are what makes the PB deteriorate. For cold well water, the life would be longer. I don't find numbers however.

Our personal experience over 40+ years has been the PolyB "fittings" & crimps are the weak spots most likely to eventually leak.

 

[Eman85]

A transition connection from poly to PEX should be a temporary repair until the poly can be replaced which is why you wouldn't find many different types of fittings. Sharkbite does make a special poly to PEX fitting as the standard fittings don't work with poly.

 

[Reach4]

Our personal experience over 40+ years has been the PolyB "fittings" & crimps are the weak spots most likely to eventually leak.

I presume it is the PB that deteriorates near the rings, rather than the fittings themselves. But your words sound soothing in the sense that that would suggest that the leaks are less likely to be buried.

It might be worth getting a backwashing carbon filter to remove chlorine/chloramine if the PB is in the walls. Such filters have other advantages, but this would be a special bonus.

I wonder if the Sharkbite translation could be more durable. Blasphemy

 

[Sarg]

Today's reality is the only fittings available out there for the polybutylene is the Qest compression type and they do not last ..... I have a drawer full of them from decades ago and finding sources has become rare.
For any change such as a new water heater or a new faucet etc .... the Pex transition is the best choice.

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

we have found the only sure way to transition from poly to pex is the sharkbite couplings...
they have never given us a problem and I have no desire to crimp anything that old poly junk and see it
split longways

of course it is better to get rid of all that poly stuff before it rears its ugly head and floods your home

 

[Sarg]

We currently have ten of the brass transition fittings that have been in place for over a decade with no issues.
(New shower faucet... bathroom faucet ..... kitchen faucet.... water heater & exterior faucet )

 

[Master Plumber Mark]

We currently have ten of the brass transition fittings that have been in place for over a decade with no issues.
(New shower faucet... bathroom faucet ..... kitchen faucet.... water heater & exterior faucet )

Well, you are out of the woods if they have lasted 10 years......
around here your liability for any approved products
is only one year from date of installation....

I try my best to steer clear of all poly line repairs ....
and their is also some ki-tech junk out in the world that
is nearly impossible to adapt to...

 

[Gus77]

For polybutylene PEX you won’t find fully plastic transition couplings - most approved adapters use brass. With very hard water, SharkBite (brass) fittings are commonly used and generally hold up fine, especially if you flush/maintain the system. Just make sure any fitting you use is rated for potable water and the pipe types involved.