Posted 2008-05-01 9:21 AM (#82914 - in reply to #82908) Subject: RE: Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
Are you talking about a check valve?
I've never seen a Pex check valve. You may need to get one with pipe thread, then thread Pex couplers on the ends.
In my area Home Depot has a dismal selection of Pex supplies. I can find most of what I need for Pex at Menards, but I don't think you have them in Texas. Do you have a local plumbing warehouse or even a plumber that keeps an inventory of parts? In a pinch, I've bought various fittings from the local Culligan dealer. The Culligan people use Pex a lot.
Posted 2008-05-01 11:03 AM (#82921 - in reply to #82908) Subject: RE: Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
Regular
Posts: 77 Location: Burleson, TX
Agree that you will probably have to use a PVC check valve with PEX adapters on both ends. Remind you of yesterday's reply to check Lowe's rather than HD for much better selection of PEX fittings
Posted 2008-05-01 11:35 AM (#82923 - in reply to #82908) Subject: RE: Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
Charter Member
Posts: 251 Location: Holland, Tx
Our local Lowe's store SUCKS!!! The customer service is worse than any other store in this area...in any industry...and the selection of fittings is much smaller than the one @ Home Depot. The guys at Home Depot are also a LOT more helpful....which is great for a 26 y/o female who has NO clue about some things. LOL!!!!!
I was looking at the check valves @ HD yesterday, but they were all for large size pipe and would have been very complicated to fit into this particular set up. I will check Lowe's today.
Posted 2008-05-04 10:27 AM (#83086 - in reply to #82908) Subject: RE: Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
Charter Member
Posts: 251 Location: Holland, Tx
Well...none of the local stores carried the Sharkbite Check valves and since 98% of my plumbing ended up being completed with the Sharkbite fittings (which I haven't ran water through yet - but I am otherwise pleased with their appearance, ease of use, etc)....I tried to go the PVC route for the check valves. I bought two 1/2" check valves, some 1/2" PVC pipe and 4 female 1/2" threaded ends. I put a short piece of pipe into each valve (they only had the slip type valves - none where already threaded - that would have made my job too easy LOL) then I put a threaded end on the other end of each piece of pipe and I fit that into my existing system. Looks horrible, but I'm sure its functional.
Because I'm a little OCD about appearance - even though I am otherwise clueless about plumbing - I got bored at work the other day so I started looking online for some Sharkbite check valves. I found several websites with prices ranging from $12.48-$18.95 EACH...ordered the cheapest ones with the lowest shipping rate....ended up spending $32 for two check valves (Sharkbite). Can't wait to get them and replace the ugly PVC stuff. Besides, I'm afraid the wiggle and jiggle of the trailer would eventually ruin the PVC - even though its such a short amount.
It still won't be pretty - my weekend conversion is squeezing into a 4' SW and includes a shower so the plumbing is cramped into a small space - but I have to say - I'm rather proud of myself. I guess all those years of ag classes and woodshop are finally beginning to pay off. Maybe when I have this entire project finished, I will email some pictures to my HS ag/shop teacher. LOL!!!
Posted 2008-05-04 9:44 PM (#83129 - in reply to #82908) Subject: RE: Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455 Location: Texas
Are the PVC fittings made for water (pressure) fittings. You have to be careful with PVC because a lot of it is marked "DWV" and meant only for drain, waste, and venting purposes, not pressurized water. Anyway, maybe it doesn't matter if you will be replacing them with the push-on style fittings. Glad you found the style you were looking for. Not to be a pill, but I bet you'd have paid for the Pex crimping tool with your little project. Anyway, good luck.
Posted 2008-05-05 10:04 AM (#83169 - in reply to #82908) Subject: RE: Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
Charter Member
Posts: 251 Location: Holland, Tx
You're probably right, but I had too many problems with the fittings I was finding that had to be crimped. The threaded pieces weren't matching up correct with the threads on my pump, acc. tank, filter, etc....so even after spending more money on the shark bite fittings, I am less likely to have a leak and they were much easier to use.
Where to find "one way valve" to fit with Pex
