Hose under bathroom sink leaking

[NW Cat Owner]

Yep, been a long time since I've posted here, but have a problem we seem unable to solve, so hoping for some help here.


The "old timers" on here might remember when the incorrect type of hose was used for the hot water in the bathroom sink on the 21 (new version/mold which were just put into production), which wasn't rated for hot water. It burst and I posted on here wondering what the heck was going on. Turns out it was the second trailer it happened to. I got it replaced at the factory and soon after the North American Replace Hot Water Hose saga was begun by Reece. Oh joy.


Anyway, it's now leaking at the new hose/pipe at the area where it connects in (yeah, not very technical, but whatever!). Dirk has been trying to take off the long white hose/pipe that's in the way of him reaching the back hose/pipe, but he's been unable to. He says it loosens up a bit and then feels like it gets stuck. He doesn't have the strength of loosen it with his hand. Both the wrench and vise grip haven't worked.


He thought about taking off the sink to reach it that way but unfortunately we don't have an allen wrench for the Roberts screws that are used and there isn't room behind the faucet to get to those screws otherwise.



A little while ago I used the Contact Us form at ETI, but I've been told they only do warranty work nowadays, but hey, worth a shot.


Does anyone have any ideas on how to repair this? I'm not sure if a regular plumber would do this sort of thing.


It's leaking just above the brass colored connection at the top, just under the black part. This is the pipe in the back of the photos.


Thanks much!

[Rockhead]

Possibly the crimp needs to be recrimped or replaced this is going with that you’ve tried tightening the fitting n checked to see if it is cracked

[cpaharley2008]

Maybe pay another visit to Chilliwack, not too far for you in Washington....

[2Travelers]

I am wondering if there is not enough clearance for the connections to be removed causing them to bind when Dirk tries to losen them. I understand you don't have a tool to remove the sink but have you tried loosening the faucet hold down nuts (the white plastic, star-shaped things on the underside of the sink, just above the black connectors)? Loosening these will allow the faucet to rise up as the black connectors are loosened, removing pressure on the water supply lines. That PEX tubing is pretty inflexible (especially in short lengths) and allowing the faucet to move up may give you the slack needed.

If it is leaking at the PEX crimp you'll still need to deal with that. Someone more familiar with PEX can help you with options on repairing the leaking connection. Certainly most plumbers should be able to do this but then again, they could handle the entire job.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Maybe pay another visit to Chilliwack, not too far for you in Washington....

I sent them a msg through their contact form last night. However, I was told some time ago they only do warranty work and, of course, this trailer is long past warranty. So, I don't have high hopes for them to fix it.


Is that PEX pipe what they used to replace the originally deficient hose?

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by 2Travelers

I am wondering if there is not enough clearance for the connections to be removed causing them to bind when Dirk tries to losen them. I understand you don't have a tool to remove the sink but have you tried loosening the faucet hold down nuts (the white plastic, star-shaped things on the underside of the sink, just above the black connectors)? Loosening these will allow the faucet to rise up as the black connectors are loosened, removing pressure on the water supply lines. That PEX tubing is pretty inflexible (especially in short lengths) and allowing the faucet to move up may give you the slack needed.

If it is leaking at the PEX crimp you'll still need to deal with that. Someone more familiar with PEX can help you with options on repairing the leaking connection. Certainly most plumbers should be able to do this but then again, they could handle the entire job.

Thanks! I just read your msg to Dirk and he said "that's a true statement" and he did think of removing the faucet. That's for today's project (as I'm getting the trailer ready to head to the tire store tomorrow for new tires!).


I also contacted 3 different places that said they do RV plumbing work, so we'll see what happens there.

[Tonny LR]

I experienced a slow leak from the bathroom sink hot water faucet connection and the bathroom floor was full of water. The leak was from the black nut connector, not the Pex crimp ring, and no cracks on the Pex pipe. I tightened the black nut and fixed the leak. Recently I replaced the kitchen sink faucet with a Delta faucet and found the ETI washer used for the black nut connection did not seat properly on both hot and cold water inlet. I used the Silicone washers to replace them and they work well. The size of the washer is OD 3/4" and ID 1/2". The washers need to fit into the the 1/2"metal pipe inside the black nut.
Amazon website : Silicone Washers Silicone Gasket Silicone Gasket Seal Washer Gasket 3/4"White Gasket. Pack of 2. good luck.

Tonny LR

[Eggscape]

Here is two methods to make a short Robertson screw driver using a short bit.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Eggscape

Here is two methods to make a short Robertson screw driver using a short bit.

Thanks. I don't think we have any bits, just 3 screwdrivers. But, great idea!

[Ron in BC]

In a trailer put together with Robertson head screws a mulit-bit screwdriver is a good investment.

As shown, the bit can be held with wrenches or a socket. In some tight spaces I hold a bit with a mini vicegrip. I have a box of different size bits, the shortest is about an inch long, very handy for tight spaces. Whatever works. I can't see doing the repair without removing the sink.

PS, welcome back.

Ron

[NW Cat Owner]

From the "After Sales Support":


"Thanks for reaching out to Escape After Sales with questions regarding a leaking faucet, if you’d like you can forward photos here, however it is important to note that Escape no longer has an after-market service center for these types of repairs.

"With the above said we can provide as much information to help along; any service center will be able to assist in this type of repair.

"Please get back to me with photos for further review."


Unfortunately, kind of the answer I expected. I did forward photos. We'll see what's what.


Update: Dirk did get the one pipe off so now he'll have easier access to the other.


One place got back to me with an appt date of May 23rd and $185/hour rate. Dirk says he's in the wrong business.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

In a trailer put together with Robertson head screws a mulit-bit screwdriver is a good investment.

As shown, the bit can be held with wrenches or a socket. In some tight spaces I hold a bit with a mini vicegrip. I have a box of different size bits, the shortest is about an inch long, very handy for tight spaces. Whatever works. I can't see doing the repair without removing the sink.

PS, welcome back.

Ron

Thanks Ron. Turns out we do have the Roberts bits, according to the Repair Parts Manager that lives with me (and the cats). Now to find them. Inventory control/locating isn't the best at all times.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I carry one of those 8-in-1 screw drivers in my top streetside drawer with other hardware kinda stuff. it has small and large square(robertson) bits, small and large phillips, flats, and torx. fits most any screw you're likely to run into.

if a screw driver handle can't provide enough torque, you can always put a 1/4" wrench on the bit, use the screwdriver handle to stabilize, and torque with the wrench. I can also chuck the bit in the battery drill/driver I carry to raise/lower my stabilizers.

[NW Cat Owner]

Another update:
Dirk got the hoses apart and the faucet off. A very close eyeball inspection did not reveal any cracks in the hoses or attachments or faucet. So, he's off to the hardware store to look for some flexible hose to use for testing to see where it's actually leaking from.


Yes, there was another hardware store run earlier to get some tool that helped greatly in getting it all taken apart.


And, while rummaging around in the 2nd drawer over the furnace, I came across the bag of Roberts drill bits. Yay! Makes sense to have them in the trailer, right? Right!


So, great strides in progress. Of course, putting it all back will be loads of fun, I'm sure. I'm there to hold the flashlight. And to tell him he can do lots better in the cursing department.

[NW Cat Owner]

Good news! It's not leaking! Removed everything and then put it back together. Heck if I know why it was leaking in the first place, but it was.


Whew! Thanks for the various suggestions - they did help, according to Dirk. Yay!



Now to figure out why my back up camera has stopped working. But that's for tomorrow or day after, as tomorrow it gets new tires installed.


If it's not one thing, it's another, huh?

[michael99685]

I am seeking for a suitable solution for my home bathroom leaking,this post was very helpful to me, useful suggestion, thanks a lot

[2Travelers]

Hey, sometimes you get lucky. It was your turn.

Thanks for keeping us updated throughout the process so that we all might learn a little something.

Best.

[NW Cat Owner]

Originally Posted by michael99685

I am seeking for a suitable solution for my home bathroom leaking,this post was very helpful to me, useful suggestion, thanks a lot

Ooo, have fun! Yay, glad you got some ideas on what to do.

Originally Posted by 2Travelers

Thanks for keeping us updated throughout the process so that we all might learn a little something.

You're welcome.


Dirk ended up purchasing the Ridgid EZ Change Faucet Tool (multiple tools in one - as the packaging says!) and used the bottom gray section. Hopefully we'll never need the thing again, but he said it was invaluable. Also taking off the faucet really helped. And I got to clean the gunk that had accumulated underneath it. Bonus!