Leak from plastic plumbing T junction.

[Riverbankannie]

How does one investigate a water leak from a hot water pipe T junction?
It is black plastic and a bit awkward to get at behind the fridge.
Photos are rubbish.
First photo looking down on the piece (it’s at top of photo)
Do these just pull apart or need special tools ?
If leaking, would it need replacing ?
We have turned off pump and relieved pressure in the meantime.

If we cannot fix, bearing in mind we are away from home on a campsite near Swanage, so limited tools, our next option is to wait until Monday and throw ourselves on the mercy of Southdowns at Portsmouth and then hopefully get tunnel crossing Monday Evening. Anyone else around Southampton/Portsmouth area who could help ?

Third option go home

 

[Speve]

Screwfix open 09.00 to 16.00 tomorrow.

 

[Bart]

View attachment 307432

The inner part of that black t piece ( the part you press in to release the hose) looks buggered as its in at one side and out at the other.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Try b&q tonight !! Screwfix and toolstation also stock john guest but to be honest most makes will suffice. It may be that the threaded 'nut' might even be split. Are you sure its leaking from the same part of the T joint? You may have disturbed a different part of the joint.

Still same part weeping
B & Q not on tonight as we decided to take a walk down to Harman’s Cross station and see the last steam train of the day go through. A couple of wines later we ok without running water for the night.

They are called pipe inserts you need JG speedfit they’ll have everything you need.
As @MisterB said Screwfix will have pipe, fittings and cutter.

I looked at screwfix and tool station but theirs seemed to be larger size than we want I.e. domestic fittings.

 

[Speve]

Still same part weeping



I looked at screwfix and tool station but theirs seemed to be larger size than we want I.e. domestic fittings.

Yes they have 15 mm but may have smaller sizes what size is your pipe? Speedfit do a 10 mm pipe as well as larger 22mm.

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[Riverbankannie]

Yes they have 15 mm but may have smaller sizes what size is your pipe?

12 mm I think.

 

[Speve]

12 mm I think.

Oh well if it is they won’t have it hopefully plan A caravan dealer may have one.
Good luck.

 

[Speve]

Here’s what you need on eBay

 

[autorouter]

I'm too late to give useful advice so here's some annoying advice. Joints pushed apart, partially or completely, are often a result of freezing of residual water still in the pipes after the drain taps are opened. Best to find a way to blow out the water when you drain down for the winter - there are a few different methods. Choice of expensive and easy or cheap and fiddly.

 

[Riverbankannie]

View attachment 307477 Here’s what you need on eBay

Thanks but we are away at the moment so caravan shop on A31 it will be.

I'm too late to give useful advice so here's some annoying advice. Joints pushed apart, partially or completely, are often a result of freezing of residual water still in the pipes after the drain taps are opened. Best to find a way to blow out the water when you drain down for the winter - there are a few different methods. Choice of expensive and easy or cheap and fiddly.

I do drain down and keep a heater on inside but no, I don’t blow through except for a go at blowing down the taps! The pipe that was loose was on the vertical to the joint and I assume there would have been expansion room as no pressure in pipe. But I take on board what you say, thanks.

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[Trixie]

Good luck with sorting this. Let us know how you get on.

Happy hols.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Good luck with sorting this. Let us know how you get on.

Happy hols.

An update for all you lovely people.
We went this morning to the amazingly fully stocked Caravan Shop on A31 near Wimborne. Really helpful and friendly. We bought some red and blue 12mm pipe and 2 new T pieces. Very competitive prices too. The helpful lady lent us their official John Guest cutter and allowed us to do the work on their forecourt.
We found the cold water t junction was leaking too. We replaced two pipes to each T joint but couldn’t access the other end of the third pipes as they disappeared off somewhere.

The sides of the old pipes were scratched and cut slightly, in sideways marks, along the length.
It’s like everything, when you have done it once and know what you are doing, it’s easy.

We have returned to Harman’s Cross, and now having lunch. Started to rain heavily so further inspection will be later.
Fingers crossed.
http://www.caravan-shop-dorset.co.uk/

 

[Bart]

@Riverbankannie super job, now you are a bonafied motorhome plumber yy yy

 

[Silver-Fox]

Glad your sorted

 

[Riverbankannie]

@Riverbankannie super job, now you are a bonafied motorhome plumber

Or plumber’s mate
I’m the gopher, the supporter, the finding out of info, the holder of the torch, the supplier of bits and bobs that might do the job but that are always pooh poohed initially, and the encourager.

We would have gone straight home if he had had his way.
Pipes still holding firm so we might be on the Chunnel tomorrow

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[Landy Andy]

Do you think the issues may have occurred due to the cold, during the winter?

Just thinking with those joints being not so well insulated as the are near the external fridge vents.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Do you think the issues may have occurred due to the cold, during the winter?

Just thinking with those joints being not so well insulated as the are near the external fridge vents.

We discussed this but we don’t think so but obviously cannot rule it out. Our anti frost heating inside the van is to prevent condensation which I was unable to stop even with ventilation. This heater just keeps the inside at 1 ° C and, as you say, these joints are behind the fridge and exposed to the vents albeit with winter covers on.
We had one 24 hour period of cold over the winter but I think I would have detected the problem, if there was one on our first trip in March, or second in April.

When we arrived in Dorset last Thursday, I switched on the 12v and pump and I immediately noticed that the pump ran to pressurise the system. This should not have happened as the system should have still be pressurised from last trip. However, we were running late and immediately collected by our friends to go out for meal. We were also sidestepped by the tap in the washroom leaking from the o ring.
The next day was their wedding and we were out all day till 11pm and so it wasn’t until yesterday morning that we discovered the problem.