Hose clamp instead of crimp ring on pex

Local4Fitter · August 22, 2012, 06:15:32 PM

Getting ready to do my install of owb. I was thinking of using stainless hose clamps instead of crimp rings on the pex connections. I don't want to buy the crimp tool to make 8 crimps if hose clamps will work. I know it won't look as neat, but I can get over that quick. I will also be able to remove a hose clamp without destroying it. Can't do that with a crimp ring. I would tighten them with my 1/4" cordless impact gun being careful not to over tighten. Any thoughts? Thanks Doug

Ivan49 · August 22, 2012, 06:25:22 PM

I was told you could use them but I was afraid they would loosen up and I would have a mess soI used the crimp rings. You may want to use the sharkbite fitting they work real good but costs more. Nice part is you can remove them if needed and then reuse them,

Dan_Shade · August 22, 2012, 06:25:54 PM

You may have difficulty in getting it leak free with a hose clamp.

Holmes · August 22, 2012, 07:34:51 PM

What type pipe did you get? Viega? If I have the right tool you can use it. The ss clamps are cheaply made you will most likely strip them with an impact gun. They are so bad you can strip them by hand with a nut driver.

tyb525 · August 22, 2012, 07:38:29 PM

about 70 bucks will get you the crimper that does 1/2" and 3/4".

Ivan49 · August 22, 2012, 07:54:56 PM

I bought a square one at Home Depot that I can do 3/8 1/2 3/4 and 1 inch and it cost somewhere around 15.00

tyb525 · August 22, 2012, 08:18:58 PM

That one is ok if you just have a small amount of crimps to do, but it can be tricky holding the vice grips, crimp tool, pipe, and crimp ring with 2 hands ;)

Local4Fitter · August 22, 2012, 09:22:27 PM

I agree with you Holmes that the hose clamps are cheap. I didn't buy any crimp rings yet. I thought I would put the hose clamp idea out there and see what people thought. I got the answers I thought I would get. I need to crimp 1" and 1/2" pex if you can help me out Holmes I would appreciate it.

upsnake · August 22, 2012, 09:38:25 PM

I used clamps for my install. They came as part of the hardware package from the dealer. They look sturdy, and I have had no problems with them. (They are not "cheap" automotive style clamps), they seems to have some decent heft to them.

shortlogger · August 22, 2012, 09:43:22 PM

My local hardware store has a couple pair of crimpers that they loan to customers , but that may not be true where you live . Would'nt hurt to check !

thecfarm · August 22, 2012, 09:44:26 PM

I wonder if the pipe could be warmed up and than use the clamps that upsnake used.

MJD · August 23, 2012, 05:50:53 AM

I used hose clamps,2 on each connection. No leaks in 8 years.

upsnake · August 23, 2012, 08:12:48 AM

Not the greatest photo, but all I had right now.
I did just one clamp per fitting. I did heat the pex up a little bit to help with bends, and to help it go on the fitting easier.

The clamp is mostly solid metal around the band, and is a lot thicker than a regular hose clamp.

petefrom bearswamp · August 23, 2012, 05:29:19 PM

I agree with cfarm, heat the pipe a little and maybe double clamp, a lot cheaper

Local4Fitter · August 23, 2012, 08:19:49 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. Doug

martyinmi · August 23, 2012, 09:01:09 PM

About 50% of my connections are done with double hose clamps, and of them, about 50% ended up leaking. I've not had any of the crimped connections leak yet.

I own a crimper, but it seems that the majority of the time I need it it is either at work or I've loaned it out to someone and I can't remember who

My dad always said while I was growing up "do it once and do it right". Based on my experiences, I think you'll be happier in the long run if you crimp them.

mrwood · August 23, 2012, 09:21:00 PM

I did my self install on my central boiler last year and like you I did not want to waste the money on the crimp tool. Cb sells a form of hose clamp that is a bit more heavy duty. I went with those and have had no issues. All I did was tighten them down and then the first time I used my boiler I waited for the pex to get nice and hot and went back thought as retightened all the clamps. So far I have has no leaks an it does make them very nice to remove if you decide to reroute your piping

tyb525 · August 23, 2012, 09:45:10 PM

The crimp tool is not a "waste" by any means. Doing it the cheap way could end up being a waste of time. I'd get a crimper, they are very handy to have if you ever need to do some plumbing, pex is a dream to work with especially if you have a crimper.

Andy M · August 23, 2012, 10:47:26 PM

When I did my install, I bought a bag of 10 clamps from the Central Boiler dealer. They are little high priced, but I never had any connections leak last year after it was installed. Now I have rerouted some lines to heat my shop, and it was nice having these clamps on hand. A bag of 10 is cheaper than the crimp tool and fittings. They are heavy duty, not like a regular hose clamp.

boilerman101 · August 23, 2012, 11:11:43 PM

I would not trust a regular hose clamp eithier. Chances are they will leak. I also used Central Boiler hose clamps. They have 2 heavy barrels with a stainless bolt running through them. Use a socket and ratchet drive to tighten the bolt through the barrels until they touch. No leaks after years of use. Cost me less than $2 bucks each back when I bought them.

upsnake · August 24, 2012, 07:39:03 AM

Yup the CB ones as well. That was what i was attempting to show in the pic. Haha 8)

Logging logginglogging · August 24, 2012, 09:16:54 AM

I think a heavy duty hose clamp would work ok, except the pex is hard to crush to make a good connection.

The type of pex rings with the little square tab that u crush with the tool can also be crush on very tightly with vicegrips or a fencing tool.

remember the lines are pressurized so its just a matter of getting them good enough they dont leake with water pumping throug them

Local4Fitter · August 24, 2012, 09:05:27 PM

Well, today I stopped at Home depot and bought the clamp tool that Sharkbite makes. I bought the clamp tool because it will do all sizes of clamps. The crimp tool did 1/2" and 3/4" and then would need another one to do 1". I guess whether you use copper crimp rings or stainless clamps either way is an acceptable way to leakproof pex.

sparky1 · August 25, 2012, 08:46:40 PM

I used the hose clamps that CB sells as well.. then i ran out and went and bought a crimper and crimps.. there both super easy and none leaked. Im a tool guy so I wanted to buy a crimper that im sure ill never use again

If i do need it I got it though!! I would deffinetly not trust a regular hose clamp, but the ones that CB sells are good. You can really crank em down. I dont know what they cost me. I just got a total bill.. so it was part of the 9 plus grand!!! 8)

mrcaptainbob · August 25, 2012, 11:17:14 PM

I self installed the CB unit at our house about nine years ago. The company sold me the gray plastic compression fittings. That did NOT go well. One gave way at the stove and two gave way..at different times...in the basement! Went to the compression ring/compression tool route. Replaced everyth9ing I could reach in one weekend. Subsequently I had a revision in the water system when adding hydronic floor heat to two bathrooms. ALL those connections (yes, capitalized...) were done with Sharkbites. I am now a BIG fan of Sharkbites. Fast, easy, and the best was that they provided connection in some very difficult to reach places.