Installation Guide
39
Repair of Damaged Tubing
5.2 Repair of Damaged Tubing
If tubing is damaged before, during, or after installation, refer to these guidelines to deter-
mine the proper course of repair.
When Pipe Needs to be Replaced
If the tubing is only slightly dented due to
impact, it may not need to be replaced. A slight
dent is dened as a dent less than ⁄ the diameter
of the pipe and does not require replacement.
(Figure 5.1)
The HOME-FLEX® tubing must be replaced under
the following circumstances:
• The tubing has been signicantly
crushed or dented (a dent greater
than ⁄ the diameter of the pipe). (Fig-
ure 5.2)
• The tubing has been damaged by
puncture of ANY kind (nails, screws,
drill bits, etc.).
• The tubing has been bent beyond
its minimum bend radius such that
a crease or kink remains. (Figure 5.3)
Method Of Repair: Splice or Replace?
HOME-FLEX® can be repaired by splicing
through the use of HOME-FLEX® ttings (Figure
5.4), but if the tubing run is short and easily
accessible, the preferred repair method is to replace the entire length of tubing. This is often a
speedier repair than a splice, and does not add additional tting joints to the system, avoiding
increased pressure loss and simplifying the piping system. The existing HOME-FLEX® ttings
can be reused on the new run, so long as they are undamaged. When reusing ttings, the
nonmetallic gasket must be replaced to ensure a proper seal.
Figure 5.3 Repair Necessary Due to Exceeding
Minimum Bend Radius
Kink
Tubing Fitting
COUPLING
Figure 5.4 Repair of Damaged Tubing with a Spliced New Section
HOME-FLEX® UnionFitting Fitting
New tting section
NPT Coupling
Repaired section
Figure 5.1 Repair Unnecessary
Less than 1/2 D
D
Figure 5.2 Repair Necessary
Greater than 1/2 D
D