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Repairing leaking Aluminum Pex (Alu Pex, Alupex) tubing

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 3/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS, YOU PAY $25 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 1.5 HOURS TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • NO SAFETY ISSUES​
BEFORE YOU START
  • The repair of the feeder tube of a solar water heater is pictured here.  
  • It concerns pex tubing with an aluminum layer known as alupex or alu pex,
  • Make sure to close the water valve upstream the tube under repair. 
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

PEX tube with aluminum layer repair pictorial

1- This tube has aged and has several cracks causing a continuous leak.
2- It breaks immediately when pulled out. It was time to intervene. 
3- Use scissors to cut the insulation.
4- Get a tube cutter. You can also use a regular hand cutter.
5- Cut not less than 2 inches - 5cm from the last crack.
6- Make sure the tube cut is neat.
7- Remove the connector nut.
   
8- Use grip pliers to remove it completely.
9- Clean the thread where it was connected. 
10- Get a new connector and a coupling. Standard sizes are 16, 18 and 20 mm. Make sure you get the ones matching your tube diameter, indicated every meter on the tube.
11- Cut enough length from a new tube.


 
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12- Apply Teflon tape to the connector thread. 
13- Mount the connector and tighten it. 
14- Fit the coupling in the feeding tube you had cut first as shown.  
15- Make sure the brass ring is there.  
16- Gently push the tube with care not to damage the two o-ring gaskets. 
17- Repeat the same on the other side where the small piece of new tube is used to replace the cracked one.
18- Tighten the coupling nuts at the same time on both sides.  
19- Now this is what the repair looks like. Open the water valve and check for leaks. 
20- Find any insulating material you have from whatever leftovers.
21- Wrap the tube with insulation first and then PVC tape. 
Picture
The repair is now complete.

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