Question by mlkirchgessner: i need help with my gray plastic water pipes at my mobile home?
the shut off to the toilet is leaking and i’d like to replace it. i dont’ know anything about these kinds of pipes. where can i get information to replace it or if someone can help me that ‘d be great. i also would like to install shut offs to the sinks too.. do they still sell this type of piping or would it be better to go copper and just redo all my arlington ma plumbing with copper arlington ma plumbing. at any rate neverthe less i’d like some info on these gray pipes and if i can get parts for them at the hardware store i haven’t checked yet. thanks
Best answer:
Answer by Gary G
Yes, you can. And they should be able to help you with any others questions too!
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
3 Comments
You need to visit an RV parts store. You could replace all the pipe, if you do use some new type plastic called PEX. Lowes and Sutherland sell it and the tools you need. It is flexible, easy to run, and if it freezes, it won’t burst! It swells with the ice and returns to it’s original shape when thawed.
It is most likely Polybutylene. It tends to leak at the connections as it ages. Lots of lawsuits over this stuff. I would replace all of it with either copper or PEX.
Here is a good website about mobile homes and Polybutylene.
http://www.mobilehomedoctor.com/poly.htm
http://www.mobilehomedoctor.com/plumbing.htm
Don’t know much about mobile homes.
This probably CPVC, see if you can read anything on the pipe. Copper is definitely better, but can replace it all? It is easy to fix. Go to your hardware store (they’ll help) and get a 1 foot piece of the same size pipe, a valve, a coupling, and a can of glue all CPVC. Cut the pipe on either side of the valve stay in at least an inch away from any other fittings with a hacksaw. Use sandpaper to smooth the cuts. Apply glue to outside of end of pipe and inside of one end of valve. The valve should have an arrow indicating direction of flow. Press together. Do the same with the coupling at the other end. Measure between the valve and coupling, add about 1 1/2′, cut your new piece, and glue in one end at a time.
The gray color throws me, CPVC is white what I’ve seen. Find out for sure the material, the procedure is the same.