Under sink shut-off valve recommendation w/1/2" PEX

[Garage Dog]

I have 1/2" Upnor Aqua PEX stubbed under my sinks and need a shut-off valve between the 1/2" PEX and the 3/8" tubing up to the faucet.

I bought a NIBCO 1/2" PEX x 3/8" OD Compression shut-off valve and installed using a PEX crimp ring.

The issue is the valve is not as secure/tight in the PEX as I think it should be. It is not like you could pull it out but you can turn it inside the PEX without much effort. It seems to me that the male end of this valve that goes inside the PEX is to small and the crimp ring only compresses the PEX so far.

I have have used a variety of other NIBCO connectors for PEX and not had this issue in the past. Not sure it will leak, but would rather replace now with something I am more confident about working properly.

Anyone else had this issue?

Recommendations on a different brand of shut-off valve you have experience with designed for use with 1/2" PEX supply line?

Thanks for any insight you may have,

GD

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Turn on the water, 'n try it,....

It Won't leak,....

The nature of pex is like that,....

 

[Chaz]

Also, make sure your crimper is adjusted correctly ... Most come with a gauge to set the crimping compression.

 

[Highbeam]

I used the same valve style made by sharkbite but uses the copper crimp rings and not the push on type sharkbite. Anyway, worked great. One of the benefits of the crimp system is that it does allow you to rotate the fitting after crimping.

Home depot stuff. Crimp on pex is becoming very common.

 

[rlitman]

I have never seen a PEX on brass connection that could not be turned by hand. Ok, it should require some good hand strength, but no matter how tight you get it, it can still be turned. PEX is just very slippery.

If you used a crimp ring, just check it with a go-nogo gauge.

 

[Gerald O]

If you want solid use a drop ear 90 to adapt to NPT pipe. Secure the 90 to framing in the wall with screws through the lugs. Then use any NPT stop valve.

Or live with flimsy floppy stop valves.

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

I agree, most of my fittings in my house I can turn by hand. No leaks on any of them.

 

[rlitman]

If you want solid use a drop ear 90 to adapt to NPT pipe. Secure the 90 to framing in the wall with screws through the lugs. Then use any NPT stop valve.

Or live with flimsy floppy stop valves.

+1 That's what I would call the gold standard, but I'd say that if he isn't getting leaks under pressure, he can just call it a day.

 

[TubingJon]

They make a copper stub out for pex, put it through a hold rite bracket and you are done. Then on finish you cut the 1/2" copper and put a standard 1/2 x 3/8 compression angle stop on it. You could possibly still do this if you have a steel interior finish.

 

[Highbeam]

Just seems ridiculous to defeat the beautiful pex system by putting a compression copper valve on the end of it. You can crimp on an actual valve and avoid copper altogether!