Mobile RV PEX Line Repair and Replacement in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile pex line repair service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Coast to Coast RV Repair provides mobile pex line repair service on-site at your campground or driveway across Florida - certified technicians, same-week scheduling.
Certified technicians. $299 service call. Same-week scheduling. Call (866) 437-4848.
PEX-A vs. PEX-B in RV Applications - Why It Matters for Repairs
Most factory RV plumbing installed since 2015 uses PEX-B tubing in 1/2-inch and 3/8-inch sizes with either crimp-ring fittings or push-fit SharkBite connectors. PEX-A is more flexible and more resistant to freeze-crack damage, but it requires ProPEX expansion tooling that most mobile technicians do not carry. When we repair PEX-B with new PEX-B tubing and crimp connections, the splice is code-grade and stronger than the original push-fit SharkBite joints the factory uses. The most common failure we see on slideout flex loops is SharkBite push-fit elbows rated for stationary residential use being cycled 400 to 600 times a year as the slideout opens and closes. The snap-ring inside the fitting fatigues and allows micro-movement that eventually cracks the elbow body.
Identifying PEX Failures Behind Panels - The Pressure Drop Test
RV PEX failures are often hidden behind interior panels, under slideout floors, or inside cabinet bases. The standard diagnostic is a regulated 50 PSI air-pressure test. We connect a regulated air source to the city-water inlet with all fixtures closed and watch a calibrated 0-to-100 PSI gauge. A healthy system holds 50 PSI for 20 minutes with less than 1 PSI drop. A drop of 2 PSI or more in the first 5 minutes indicates an active leak. We then isolate loops by temporarily clamping the cross-connection lines, which lets us narrow the leak to the hot or cold side, and then to a specific zone. Once isolated to a zone, we use a thermal imaging camera or an infrared non-contact thermometer to find the cold spot where water is evaporating.
Florida Campground Water Pressure and PEX Failure Rates
Florida campground water pedestals are supposed to deliver 40 to 60 PSI, and most do. But we have measured campground pedestals in Citrus County, Polk County, and along the Gulf Coast that run 80 to 95 PSI during off-peak hours - early morning when few rigs are drawing water. RV PEX plumbing is rated for 100 PSI burst and 80 PSI working pressure, but the push-fit SharkBite fittings the factory installs are rated for 80 PSI at 73 degrees Fahrenheit. At Florida ambient temperatures in summer, the working pressure rating drops to approximately 65 PSI, which means an 80 PSI campground pedestal is pushing those fittings close to failure every morning. The solution is a Camco 40055 or Watts PL-3000 inline pressure regulator set to 55 PSI, installed at the campground pedestal before your hose connects to the rig.
Also see: Plumbing & Water Services
This page covers pex line repair specifically. For the full range of plumbing & water services we offer, visit our Plumbing & Water service overview.
Case Study: 1/2-inch PEX-B supply line at the slideout flex-loop joint had a stress-cracked SharkBite push-fit elbow where the line transitions from the main body to the slideout room, combined with a secondary pinhole split 4 inches upstream caused by repeated slideout cycling over two seasons
RV: 2022 Forest River Georgetown 36B7 • Location: Crystal River RV Park, Site 19 • City: Crystal River
Symptom: Owner noticed the carpet in the rear bedroom slideout was wet each morning and a musty odor was building after three days on site, with water pressure at the rear bathroom dropping to a trickle when the kitchen faucet was open at the same time
Diagnosis: Technician pressurized the system to 50 PSI using a regulated air source and isolated the slideout supply loop by clamping the crossover line. Pressure in the isolated slideout loop dropped from 50 PSI to 34 PSI in 8 minutes, confirming active loss. Infrared thermometer scan across the slideout floor showed a 7-degree cold differential centered at the flex-loop elbow bracket, pinpointing the primary leak before cutting access
- Isolate and depressurize: Shut off city water at the inlet, closed the 12V water pump switch on the control panel, and opened the kitchen faucet to bleed residual pressure to zero - confirmed with 0 PSI on the service gauge
- Access the slideout flex loop: Removed the interior trim panel at the slideout base (six Phillips screws, no adhesive), exposing the 18-inch flex-loop section of 1/2-inch PEX-B with two SharkBite push-fit elbows at each end
- Document and measure damage: Photographed the cracked elbow body and the 4-inch upstream pinhole - both in the same 14-inch section of line. Measured total replacement section at 22 inches to get into undamaged tube on both sides
- Cut and replace damaged section: Cut the PEX with a Wirsbo ratchet cutter at clean points 2 inches outside the damaged zone, removed the failed SharkBite elbows by depressing the collar with the disconnect clip, installed new Uponor F1061000 1/2-inch PEX-A stub sections with ProPEX ring couplings on both ends
- Install high-flex replacement loop: Ran a new 22-inch section of Watts 1/2-inch PEX-B through the slideout channel, terminated with two new SharkBite 90-degree elbows rated for RV flex service, secured with slide-safe clamps that allow 3/4-inch movement without stressing the joint
- Pressure test and hold: Repressurized to 50 PSI, watched the isolated slideout loop gauge for 15 minutes - pressure held at 49.5 PSI
- Dry and reinstall: Used a compact carpet fan to begin drying the slideout subfloor, reinstalled trim panel, and demonstrated full-pressure flow at the rear bathroom with kitchen faucet simultaneously open
Outcome: Leak eliminated at both failure points in a single visit. Owner was advised to have the subfloor moisture content re-checked in 72 hours and to monitor the slide seals for any water ingress during rain.
Time on-site: 2 hours 20 minutes • Total cost: $345 (parts and labor, including $299 service call) • Dealer alternative: $550 to $900 at a Forest River dealer service bay, plus $150 to $250 per day storage fee during the repair wait
“The tech found the leak in about 20 minutes using that infrared thing when I'd been crawling around for two days. He fixed both cracks and the carpet was dry by morning.”
PEX Fitting Types - Durability and Use in RV Repairs
| Fitting Type | Brand / Part Example | Pressure Rating (73 F) | RV Flex-Loop Suitable | Labor Time (per joint) | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SharkBite Push-Fit (OEM) | SharkBite UC362LFA (1/2 in. elbow) | 200 PSI (stationary) | No - fatigues under cycling | 5 min | Low - $4 to $8 each |
| Copper Crimp Ring (PEX-B) | Watts PC100 + ASTM F2159 ring | 200 PSI | Yes - no moving parts in joint | 8 min | Low - $2 to $5 each |
| Stainless Clamp (PEX-B) | Oetiker 10100005 pinch clamp | 200 PSI | Yes - preferred for flex loops | 6 min | Low - $1.50 to $3 each |
| ProPEX Expansion (PEX-A) | Uponor F1061000 coupling | 250 PSI | Yes - best for high-cycle zones | 12 min (needs expander tool) | Medium - $8 to $18 each |
| Brass Insert + Hose Clamp (legacy) | Watts LF531 insert + worm clamp | 150 PSI | Not recommended - clamp loosens | 10 min | Low - $3 to $6 each |
| Viega PureFlow Press (PEX-AL-PEX) | Viega 46153 1/2-in press elbow | 200 PSI at 200 F | Yes - rigid, not for flex loops | 10 min (needs press tool) | High - $18 to $35 each |
Signs You Need PEX Line Repair
- ✓System pressurized to 50 PSI and held for 20 minutes - less than 1 PSI drop before starting repair work
- ✓Failed fittings photographed and identified by manufacturer and part number before removal
- ✓Replacement tubing cut with a ratchet-style PEX cutter (not a knife) to ensure a clean, square end for proper fitting seating
- ✓Crimp rings set with a Go/No-Go gauge after crimping - the gauge must close fully on the ring or the crimp is redone
- ✓Slideout flex loops replaced with flexible-service elbows and a proper arc radius of at least 8 times the tube OD
- ✓Final 50 PSI water pressure test with all fixtures checked for seepage at reconnected joints before closing access panels
PEX Line Repair - Pricing
Typical price range: $145-$425
All calls start with a $299 service-call fee that covers the technician's trip to your location and the first hour of diagnosis. That $299 applies toward any repair you authorize - it is not an additional charge on top of the repair. Pricing shown is a national average range; your exact quote is provided in writing on-site before any work begins.
PEX Line Repair - Common Questions
Straight answers from our pex line repair service call log.
How do I find a PEX leak I cannot see?
Turn on your water pump and listen for it cycling on and off when all faucets are closed - a pump that cycles every 2 to 5 minutes with nothing open has a leak downstream. We narrow it down from there using a 50 PSI air test and an infrared camera to find the cold spot at the leak site.
Can you repair PEX without cutting into my walls?
Often yes. Most RV PEX runs through accessible bays, under the chassis, or in the slideout floor cavity. When the leak is inside a wall cavity, we cut the smallest possible access panel at the failure point, make the repair, and install a removable access cover rather than gluing the panel back.
How long does a PEX repair last?
A correctly made crimp-ring PEX joint lasts the life of the tube - 50 years or more in residential applications, and typically 15 to 20-plus years in RV service with appropriate pressure regulation.
Is the repair water pressure tested before you leave?
Yes, every time. We pressurize to 50 PSI with water and walk every reconnected joint before putting the panels back. We will not sign off on a repair that does not hold pressure for a minimum of 10 minutes.
My PEX is beige not white - does it matter for the repair?
No. Beige or tan PEX is typically the Pex-a or higher-density formulation used by some factories. It is compatible with standard crimp fittings and SharkBite connectors.
Can you run new PEX to a wet bay or outdoor shower I want to add?
Yes - new line extensions are a straightforward job. We tap off the nearest cold-water supply run using a tee fitting, route new 1/2-inch PEX through the chassis to the new outlet location, and terminate with a freeze-proof ball valve. Most wet-bay additions run $285 to $485 depending on run length and the fitting count.
More Plumbing & Water Services
Other specialized repairs under plumbing & water - all done at your location, no tow required.
Where We Provide PEX Line Repair in Florida
Coast to Coast RV Repair runs pex line repair jobs across these cities. Click your closest one for local-specific info, response times, and campground coverage.