Confusing flexible faucet supply line connection.
This is a follow up to my other post about a pinhole leak in my supply line to a bathroom faucet…
The attempt to fix the leak failed so I thought I would go ahead and replace the supply line until I picked up a new faucet.
I was able to loosen the nuts on the grey supply line both at the faucet end and at the copper line below, but the grey flex line didn’t even budge when I tried to pull it out from the copper end. It ended up snapping off (see photo). Now I’m not sure at all about how to get that line disconnected in order to put a new one in.
The flex supply line definitely had to be replaced as the pinhole just kept getting larger. But after the line snapped off at the connection I was screwed because the shut off below it is frozen in the on position. I couldn’t even turn the water on for even a short period anymore. I ended up capping the connection cutting the cold water to that faucet, but at least now I can keep the water on for the rest of the house, without shutting it off.
My question now is: how in the world does that connection work and will I end up having to cut it off the copper pipe in order to eventually attach a new supply line and a new faucet?
If you look at the photo you can see there is still some of the flex line remaining inside the connection.
I also included a photo of the hot water connection to show what it looked like before it snapped off.
TF
Replies
It's a compression fitting.There is a ferrule on the tubing above where it broke off. Anyway, you will have to remove the piece of tubing that is stuck in the fitting. Use a knife with a small blade to whittle it out, or drill with a 1/16 drill bit to split the tubing in two. Make sure to use a new ferrule on the new tube.
Like I said, you should have cut it where the leak is and used a coupler to fix it, less trouble.
I suspect this is polybutelene tubing on the hot side. That stuff is prone to become hard and brittle, and even faster when heated. A coupler may have been futile too.
It's a standard compression fitting, and the plastic pipe welded itself in there over time. You don't HAVE to remove it if you use a braided hose to replace it, as the hose end has its own rubber gasket that mates with the fitting without needing to fit inside.
But it's probably best to remove it. I'd just use a drill bit a little smaller than the outer diameter of the tubing. Drill slowly at low speed, and the bit will likely "catch" the tubing about halfway through and pull it out.
So there is only tubing in there that I need to remove? No fittings or other metal pieces?
I guess I don't see how the tube was held in the joint.
I'll try and get it out.
Thanks.
I can't ever fix any plumbing problem without making three trips for parts. And probably all the stores are closed today for the holiday. I hates plumbing.
If you got the type of tube Dan was talking about, you will want the type that fits onto a compression fitting, I assumed you were replacing it with a similar tube. I think the tube Dan talked about includes adapters to fit a variety of fittings.
What holds the tube you have into the fitting is a nut and a ferrule. The ferrule is a ring that goes on the tube, it's tapered on the edges. When you tighten the nut it squeezes the ferrule tightly to the tube and wedges against the fitting. You only tighten it snug, overtightening will cause it to leak. You can't ordinarily reuse the ferrule, and it should be a plastic one for plastic tubing, or brass for metal tubing.
OK. I get it now.
Speaking of trips to the store, I had to laugh.
Yesterday when the tube broke off I had to hurry to get to the local mom and pop hardware store to get the cap to just seal it off and finish the project later I left 10 minutes before they close. Turns out I bought the wrong size (I should have just bought both) I had to call the store and beg them to keep their doors open for another 5 minutes so I could get the right size.
Saved me an hour driving to and from a Lowes or Home Depot.
Once I pick out a new faucet to install and the current supply lines are cleanly disconnected, I'm just going to put in new supply lines too. Every thing is shot as far as I'm concerned.
So, all is well as it currently stands.
You'll remember I suggested that you pick up the cap ahead of time.
Well, I think I'm doing pretty good so far. Two (three if you count the "wrong size" trip) trips to local hardware..about $5 so far. And no more leak (for now).
That's good for me!
Good point though. I think I'll pick up a few more of the 3/8" caps in case I need them in the future. I also ordered a box of 40 various sized hose clamps to have around.
What I'm talking about is a rubber hose with metal fittings, and covered by a stainless-steel braid. It does not use ferrules, but will install in place of a standard copper/plastic tubing with ferrules hookup. There are specific types for faucets and toilets, to suit the connections on the appliance end.
The things are kind of ugly, of course, and you'd not want to use them with exposed plumbing (where you'd generally use a chromed copper/plastic tube), but under a vanity they're the way to go. Unlike the ferrule system, where leaks at the ferrule connections are common, the fittings on these hoses contain a rubber gasket that makes a connection that is as fool-proof as one could hope for.
"NoBurst" is the preferred brand, but HD et al sell their own house brands that I suppose are OK.
I put one on my toilet, yep no thing of beauty. I almost bought the kind that shuts off if it does burst or another failure occurs, but nixed the idea. Later I found out that they can sometimes falsely shut off. Never used them on anything else.
The old tube was chromed metal, and dit id add a small amount of class to my shack, untill the plastic nut that attached it to the toilet valve cracked in two and the bathroom got flooded while I was working.
In rounding up parts for the new faucet and supply line replacement project, I noticed that I didn't readily find any supply lines that fit the 9" that I need to bridge from the copper supply to the faucet.
I thing in the past I have had to insert a big ol' loop in a longer line to get it to attach properly.
The new lines I'm thinking of putting in look much thicker than the ones originally installed.
Is there a problem here? I don't need to replace them with the exact same type supply line do I?
If you're using the steel-covered rubber hoses you basically just need one that's long enough -- too long won't hurt, other than visually (and simply in terms of the space needed to jam it in there). For really short distances you may want to get a hose that's 3-4x the required length so that you can easily form a loop in it. For longer distances you can usually just have the excess bulge out in the middle.
But if you find the right supplier you can usually buy these hoses in 2-3 inch increments.
I tried to get that tubing out, but it's seemingly impossible.
It's also preventing a the new supply line to the faucet from being attached because the tubing occupies space the new connector needs (it's not able to screw on).
Is there some sort of adapter that I can put on here that will allow me to use a standard compression line?
The faucet is 1/2", and this vile supply end connector is 3/8".
Did you try a drill?
I tried a drill. It was so stubborn to remove I gave up and started to think of another fix.
You should have been able to drill it out enough that the nib of a flex hose would fit.
Frankly, I'm thinking you should give up and call a plumber.
Well that ain't gonna happen.
I'd rather puzzle it out....then buy another big screen with the money I saved by not calling a plumber.
I can always cut the copper pipe and build it out new. A friend said he did that and found a solderless connection that he said worked well for him.
I'll ask at the plumbing supply store next time I get out that way
Thanks..
But I'm thinking a competent plumber would have had that stub out in 3 minutes.
"I'd rather puzzle it
"I'd rather puzzle it out....then buy another big screen with the money I saved by not calling a plumber."
Reminds me of a Mark Twain quote from "The Mc Williamses and the Burgler Alarm":
"When we were finishing our house, we found we had a little cash left over, on account of the plumber not knowing it."
Finally got the faucet replaced. I had capped off the copper supply lines under the sink just to be able to keep the water on for the rest of the house. (This bathroom is seldom used).
I really didn't want to do any pipe cutting and wanted to still use the existing compression fittings on the supply lines.
I ended up digging out the siezed up plastic lines that were stuck inside the fittings by using a small screwdriver and just prying it out. That way I just needed two hoses.
I hope you used braided steel hoses, rather than the plastic junk.