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Removing Crimp rings from Pex tubings enables you to reuse PEX fittings. However, ensure to turn off the necessary water supply and drain water from the system’s depressurized area before attempting to disconnect the crimp rings.
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Removing a crimp ring is not difficult; you can even do it at home. All you need is a crimp remover tool to help take off the PEX crimp easily. If you don’t have the required tool, you must cut off the ring using a hacksaw or Dremel.
What are PEX Crimp Rings?
Before we explore the ways to remove PEX crimp rings, let’s discuss what PEX crimps rings are and what they are used for.
A PEX crimp ring is a piece of metal or plastic that fits onto the end of the PEX tubing to enable a PEX Crimp connection. It is used to secure PEX piping over the crimp-style PEX fittings.
The size of the crimp ring you use must always match the PEX pipe’s size so that it fits easily with the tubing.
Ways to Remove Pex Crimp Rings
If a crimp connection is made improperly or unevenly, there is always a solution to remove the crimp ring from such connections and eliminate PEX fittings waste. You can use a crimp removal tool to cut the crimp ring from the fitting or cut it using the tools present in your home, including a hacksaw, Dremel, etc.
Before you attempt to remove the crimp ring from a PEX fitting, do the following.
- Ensure turning off the necessary water supply to avoid any inconvenience.
- Drain water from the depressurized area of the system.
Let’s learn how to remove the PEX ring using a crimp removal tool and other tools.
The table below shows the methods to take off the crimp ring at a glance.
Using a Crimp Removal Tool
The Crimp Ring Removal tool is used to remove crimp rings from PEX barb fittings to enable re-usage of the fittings. It is a simple tool that is designed in a way that it can help cut off crimp rings easily.
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While removing crimp rings requires effort, you must be extra careful that you don’t damage the PEX fittings you want to reuse.
The steps to remove PEX crimp rings using a Crimp Removal tool are as follows:
- Separate the PEX Fitting: The first thing you need to do is to separate the PEX fitting you want to remove.
- Cut with a PEX cutter: Take a PEX cutter and cut the PEX pipe as close as possible to the PEX fitting without damaging it to remove the crimp ring.
- Adjust the Tool Setting: The size of the Crimp Ring Removal varies from brand to brand. Adjust it to the crimp ring’s size by consulting the instruction manual that comes with the tool. However, some tools may be non-adjustable, and you have to use them as they are.
- Insert the Crimp Removal Tool Inside the Fitting: Once you have adjusted the tool’s size, insert its jaw inside the PEX fitting and squeeze the handle to cut through the PEX crimp ring. Remove the crimp ring using your hands or a plier.
- Cutting the PEX Pipe: Using the crimp removal tool, you can also cut the remaining PEX pipe. Once cut, remove the pipe with a set of pliers, and your PEX fitting is good.
Using Common Tools to Cut off Pex Crimp Rings
If you don’t have a crimp removal tool, you can remove it using other tools commonly found in many houses.
The tools you need:
Something to cut:
- A Hacksaw or;
- A Dremel with a metal cut-off disk or;
- A mini grinder with a zip cut if you have to remove a bunch of crimp rings
A heat source:
Follow these steps to cut off PEX crimp rings using the abovementioned tools.
- Cutting the Crimp Ring: The first thing is to cut the crimp ring using tools for cutting metals and plastics; a hacksaw, a Dremel, or a mini grinder. Cut through the crimp, let’s say, with a hacksaw perpendicularly.
- Open the Crimp Ring from Where it is Cut: Next, you’ll need a screwdriver to open the ring from where it is cut to remove it easily.
- Remove the Crimp Ring: Here, you can remove the ring either using your hands or some needle nose pliers.
- Cutting through the Pipe: The pipe on the PEX fitting won’t come off easily. You can cut it with a hacksaw, as done in the abovementioned method.
- Heating the Pipe: You can also heat the pipe to remove it from the fitting.
- Using a Blowtorch: Here, we are going to use my personal favorite, a blowtorch, to heat the pipe. Heat the pipe with a blowtorch using a low-flame setting for a few seconds.
- Remove the Pipe: Pop the pipe off with needle nose pliers, and tada, you’re ready to use the PEX fitting again.
These are the methods to remove the PEX ring from a PEX fitting. I prefer the first method, as it is easy and doesn’t require many tools. All you need is a Crimp Removal Tool.
Conclusion
People often need clarification while trying to remove the PEX rings from the PEX fittings. However, removing the crimp ring is easy, and many would prefer doing it at home after learning the steps. Therefore, you either need a Crimp Removal tool or any other tool that lets you cut through the crimp ring, such as a hacksaw, Dremel, or mini grinder.
Cut the PEX crimp ring with the tool you have now, and remove it using pliers or even your hands. After that, you need to remove the PEX pipe, and you’re ready to use the PEX fitting again.
FAQs
There are several tools you can use to cut off PEX crimp rings. The most commonly used is a crimp removal tool. Other tools to cut off the crimp rings include a hacksaw, a Dremel, and a mini grinder.
Using a crimp removal tool is easy. Adjust the tool according to the PEX fitting if it is adjustable. Insert the jaw of the crimp removal onto the fitting and squeeze the tool to cut through the crimp ring. Once the ring is cut, remove it with a set of pliers. Use the crimp removal tool to cut the PEX pipe and separate it from the fitting to use the PEX fitting again.
Other tools to remove the PEX crimp rings if you don’t have a crimp removal tool. You can use a hacksaw, a Dremel, or a mini grinder to cut the ring. Once you have cut the ring, remove it using a screwdriver, pliers, or your hands.
Follow these steps to calibrate your PEX crimp tool.Gently open and close the handles of the tool until the jaws touch.
Check the space between the handles with a ruler. It must be 8-1/4 – 8-3/4 in. wide.
Remove the eccentric set screw to calibrate it.
Once the screw is removed, push the eccentric up and turn to adjust the width of the handle. Check the width you are adjusting the handle to.
Tighten the screw until it becomes secure to use.
People may have different reasons to remove crimp rings. Sometimes, they may need to correct a mistake while setting the ring or the PEX pipe. Also, the PEX pipes get worn over time, or you may need to reuse the fitting somewhere else. These are a few reasons you might need to remove the crimp rings from the PEX fittings.
