Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?

Username: Password:

Author Topic: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings  (Read 3008 times)

right2bear

  • Training Wheels
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 23
  • OWF Brand: Ridgewood
  • OWF Model: 6000
    • View Profile
Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« on: October 04, 2015, 07:40:52 AM »

Last year I helped my neighbor install his OWB system, and he chose to use Watts quick connectors, which is what was recommended by Menards for pex fittings. He deliberated for a while about it because they are so expensive per fitting. But we were very happy with how easy and fast all his hookups went rather it was from pex to pex, or pex to copper.

I was so impressed that I decided that I was going to use them to install my system last Dec. I spent roughly $700 on them. They worked great all heating season. We decided to shut down our stoves the same day, and when the water temps came down, every single fitting in our entire systems began leaking (gushing really). Now I called Menards, and they told me that I was running too hot of water through them, because I run mine at 200°F, but my neighbor only runs at 175°F and his did the same thing so...? When he called Menards, they told him that they would not recommend using them at all for any boiler system. Funny thing though, when you go into Menards, they have a nice display demo of a BOILER SYSTEM, that 100% uses the "Watts" brand quick connector fittings.lol

I tried calling the customer service line for Watts, and have never gotten through to a human being. So I emailed them when this originally came about, and they never responded.

I just emailed them again today as a follow up, and let them know, that I would be sharing my experience with anyone that would listen.

Well... Its cold in Michigan, and I'm going to be replacing fittings all day with normal crimp style ones.
Logged

yotehunter66

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 271
  • OWF Brand: Woodmaster
  • OWF Model: 4400
    • View Profile
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2015, 05:18:44 PM »

Bummer.
Logged
Husky 372xp 24"
Makita DCS520i 20"
Poulan 2300 18"
Macullough Eager Beaver 2.3 18"
Troybilt 27 ton log splitter

RSI

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3100
  • OWF Brand: HeatMaster
  • OWF Model: G200 and B250
    • View Profile
    • RSI
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2015, 07:46:01 PM »

I talked to a guy a few days ago that said he replaced the o-rings in his watts fittings with some that were slightly thicker and didn't leak anymore.
Logged

atvalaska

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1281
  • OWF Brand: aqua-therm
  • OWF Model: coal one 275
  • 907, no vacancy !
    • View Profile
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2015, 09:29:38 AM »

I would run a ad ,diving out watts...till I got some to rant to !

tinfoilhat2020

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 634
  • OWF Brand: POS
    • View Profile
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2015, 10:36:44 AM »

i used watts traditional pex fittings and never had an issue...i have sharkbite quick connects on my barn loop and never had any issues....thanks for sharing
Logged

userdk

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 357
  • OWF Brand: Heatmaster SS
  • OWF Model: G 400
    • View Profile
    • Outdoor Wood Furnaces - Pineview Woodstoves
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2015, 04:04:23 PM »

Did you get the inserts inside the Pex? For us, the half inch and 3/4 inch ones worked but the one inch ones leaked, but now they've started sending little plastic inserts for inside the pex to keep it from shrinking and causing leakage when it cools off.
Logged

tinfoilhat2020

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 634
  • OWF Brand: POS
    • View Profile
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #6 on: October 11, 2015, 03:59:39 AM »

I dont use the inserts...no problems thus far
Logged

right2bear

  • Training Wheels
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 23
  • OWF Brand: Ridgewood
  • OWF Model: 6000
    • View Profile
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #7 on: October 17, 2015, 09:20:16 PM »

Did you get the inserts inside the Pex? For us, the half inch and 3/4 inch ones worked but the one inch ones leaked, but now they've started sending little plastic inserts for inside the pex to keep it from shrinking and causing leakage when it cools off.

Yes sir I did... the plastic inserts came with the fittings, and were used... They are just purely junk is all.
Logged

Marktk

  • Training Wheels
  • *
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 35
  • OWF Brand: Heatmaster
  • OWF Model: Mf5000
    • View Profile
Re: Why to stay clear of "Watts" brand fittings
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2015, 07:04:52 AM »

I've heard you shouldn't use the plastic insert with hot water.
Logged