Bulge in red+white soft water line attached to hot side of bathrm sink

[Schiefswret]

this pic does not show it very well but immediately below the Pex clamp starts a bulge in the line that I’ve not seen before. The bulge disappears starting about 1” further down. I’ve double checked my water pressure meter and its where I usually keep it, 40lbs. Pressure in rig feels very typical, not too weak, not too strong.
Anyone know the cause of the bulge and if this presents any potential for a future burst in the line / flooding? All input appreciated.

[Jims94vmx]

Change that to Pex. Avoid it bursting.

[Schiefswret]

Change that to Pex. Avoid it bursting.

Thanks Jim but if you’re referring to the water line, it is factory. I’m the original owner and it was that way from new. The clamp is PEX but the line / hose is soft/flexible. That being said, I would have no idea (nor skill history) on how to go about replacing the entire section of hose. What are your thoughts on what the root cause of the bulge is? Appreciate your input.

[TedS]

Hot water temperature and pressure would be the cause. Are there any pressure and temperature rating markings on the hose?

[Schiefswret]

Hot water temperature and pressure would be the cause. Are there any pressure and temperature rating markings on the hose?

Yes, I’ve used the same type and brand (not inexpensive) of adjustable water pressure regulator for the past three years, (first year in a different RV) replacing it at least twice. I’m good about checking the initial pressure upon hook up at each campsite, check it every other day or so, and keep it at 40- no more than 45lbs. The HW temperature in my RV seems to be the same since new (2 years) and I’m led to believe that it is pre set and not adjustable. I do not see any pressure or temp information on the hose. I’m certainly not sure, but it seems like that if pressure or temp were the issue, there would be little reason for it to not happen much earlier than two years after going into service, but then again I’m not sure at all. All further advise is appreciated.

[StephenO]

There are lots of posts about the soft hose used in RVs on this forum, and searching for 'soft hose' either using the builtin search function or through Google specifying this site will give you lots of valuable information.

To sum it up though, the bulging is a sign of failure in the hose, especially when it's a bubble hanging off the side. I'd say doing a replacement to PEX is your best bet. If you don't want to do a full rebuild, I believe you can get the proper hose barb fitting from a plumbing shop or possibly your local big box store that can take you from the soft hose to a threaded fitting. Then you also get a threaded fitting to PEX, allowing you to build your own adapter to go from soft hose to PEX, which then is an easy connection to the faucet fitting with a PEX swivel adapter.

I have also read about people using a PolyB to PEX fitting, like this https://www.sharkbite.com/products/b...tylene-adapter I've never done it myself, so hopefully someone here can weigh-in there

[Schiefswret]

There are lots of posts about the soft hose used in RVs on this forum, and searching for 'soft hose' either using the builtin search function or through Google specifying this site will give you lots of valuable information.

To sum it up though, the bulging is a sign of failure in the hose, especially when it's a bubble hanging off the side. I'd say doing a replacement to PEX is your best bet. If you don't want to do a full rebuild, I believe you can get the proper hose barb fitting from a plumbing shop or possibly your local big box store that can take you from the soft hose to a threaded fitting. Then you also get a threaded fitting to PEX, allowing you to build your own adapter to go from soft hose to PEX, which then is an easy connection to the faucet fitting with a PEX swivel adapter.

I have also read about people using a PolyB to PEX fitting, like this https://www.sharkbite.com/products/b...tylene-adapter I've never done it myself, so hopefully someone here can weigh-in there

much thanks Steve, I did more than a few searches but they did not include ‘soft’
That’s a lot to digest. I’ll reread your response several more times to try to picture what you’re saying and do the proper searches this time and Ck out the links u sent and go from there. Thanks again for the help.

[Cate&Rob]

Schiefswret
Hi Dave,

Much has been written on this forum about soft hose clamped to Pex fittings. This is "approved" by RVIA (even though the hose ID is too large for the Pex fitting) and is widely used by all RV manufactures to expedite assembly time. The attached picture is the soft hose that was attached to the water heater output on my 2015 Reflection. It burst. This is where yours is headed if you don't replace with Pex pipe.

Rob

[Schiefswret]

Thanks Rob, that’s exactly what happened to mine. Based on my chat with Steve I’m headed to HD tomorrow to try to make up a short section of PEX tubing to run from the fitting to the hot side of the faucet down low and long enough to attach to the soft tubing in hopes that this patch procedure will not repeat itself. I’m not situated to replace the entire run even though it appears that it should be.

[TedS]

Schiefswret the normal pressure you expect using a regulator is not the only pressure possible. If the air space necessary for heated water expansion in the water heater is gone, pressure in the water system can rise to the 150 psi setting of the t&p valve on the water heater.

[Schiefswret]

Final fix with pics:

Much thanks to all who contributed!! Safe Travels🚌

[ThePowells]

Schiefswret