I'm pretty new to this. I was considering replacing it with something else because it leaks slightly from the valve if it gets moved around at all, but I don't know what this connection is to start with. It goes to a dishwasher.
this post was submitted on 05 Apr 2024
44 points (97.8% liked)
Home Improvement
9030 readers
1 users here now
Home Improvement
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Sorry, could you provide a little more information? You say it leaks from the "valve", but there are 3 different places it could be leaking from, and all are part of the valve -- the valve being the whole device from pipe to pipe.
If you're thinking of replacing the whole thing, I'd focus more on the type of pipe, which looks like Pex coming from the house, and probably some sort of standard dishwasher feed line on the other side.
Ideally you could buy a replacement valve before starting the project, but you might have to remove this valve and take it to the hardware store to make sure you get the correct thing.
I've never worked with Pex, but I believe you can either crimp it with a special tool or use the sharkbite system.
Unfortunately is has stopped leaking for now. I say unfortunately, because I don't know when it may start again. It seemed to start to leak when I pulled out the dishwasher, so movement/flexing/etc made it happen. I was unable to determine exactly where it leaked from, but it seemed to pool near the center of the entire valve, so it could have been near the crimped area or the knob area, or maybe even the connection going off to the dishwasher, and the water could have just run down to the lowest bit of the valve.
It's 1/2" nominal PEX going to a quarter-turn shutoff, to a 3/8 braided dishwasher line. I just didn't know what to call the weird crimped/connector part on the PEX, and thus how to properly remove it if necessary. All of the PEX crimps that I've found online have been very different looking.
I agree it's an odd looking crimp, maybe just an older style of what we have today. I'd guess that's the least likely thing to leak.
Best case scenario the dishwasher line just needs to be tightened. Worst case you can replace the whole thing with a sharkbite type valve, but you'll probably need to cut back the previously crimped section of PEX (note: I really have no clue about that).
Micro leaks can plug themselves with time as calcium builds up.
The easiest fix to that is just a sharkbite valve since its accessible and visible. Probably 15 min job.
Or you could go with the pex clamp route but that requires a special tool.