5 Signs Your PEX Fittings Need Replaced (And What to Use Instead)
PEX systems are modern marvels-flexible, affordable, and quick to install. But like any plumbing component, PEX systems are only as strong as their weakest link: the fittings.
If you’re starting to see strange plumbing issues pop up – or worse, dealing with full-blown leaks – you might be dealing with failing PEX fittings, especially if it is the same fitting type or brand consistently. And no, it’s not always user error.
Whether it be a brass ½ tee or elbow, a FNPT adapter, or a coupling, any fitting can become an issue. This is more common in nondomestic parts that use lesser alloys, often containing arsenic or bismuth. Domestic manufacturers, like Water Armor, use higher quality materials that will last longer and provide more consistent water pressure over their life span.
Here are five telltale signs your PEX fittings are on their way out, what causes them, and why Water Armor fittings are built to outlast the rest.
1. You Spot Corrosion or White Flaking
If your brass fittings look like they’ve been snowed on, you are dealing with dezincification. This can have two different forms – chalky white buildup on the outside of the fitting or a green fuzz. This process slowly leaches zinc from the brass, weakening the fitting until it becomes brittle or leaks. Dezincification can also reduce the flow of water into key parts of a build, like your drop ear shower fitting.
Why it happens:
- Low-quality imported brass
- High zinc content
- No dezincification resistance (DZR)
The Water Armor Advantage:
Our fittings are made from ECO BRASS®, a lead-free, bismuth-free, and DZR-resistant alloy designed to withstand aggressive water chemistry without flaking out (literally). They’re built to last decades, not just years, and can be used in place of plastic PEX fittings, thanks to their quality.
2. Your Fittings Are Leaking (But the Crimp Rings Look Fine)
Leaks around a perfectly good copper crimp ring is frustrating – and a potential red flag about the installed fitting. If the connection looks solid but water’s still escaping, the problem might be internal. Some fittings warp, crack, or corrode from within, compromising the seal. This can put the installer and consumer at risk of leaks, costing both parties time and money.
Why it happens:
- Inferior alloy or porous casting
- Inconsistent threading or sizing
- Pressure fatigue or thermal cycling
The Water Armor Advantage:
Each of our fittings undergoes rigorous third-party testing for pressure tolerance and structural integrity. Our foundry-to-forging control means no porosity, no surprises, and a consistent fit every time. Our quality team works tirelessly to ensure high-quality brass PEX fittings for our customers. This lets plumbers and consumers rest easy knowing that they will get a leak-free water supply each and every time.
3. You Hear Whistling, Rattling, or Reduced Flow
PEX systems should be silent. If your PEX system is making a sound or you experience a sudden drop in water pressure, you could have a problem. A whistling or rattling sound could be a sign your fittings are partially blocked or internally degraded.
Why it happens:
- Internal scaling from substandard alloys
- Narrow or inconsistent fitting bores
- Debris from corroding fittings
The Water Armor Advantage:
Our fittings are precision-forged and machined to exacting tolerances, ensuring smooth, unrestricted flow. No rattle. No whistle. Just performance you can count on.
4. The Fittings Are Turning Color (and Not in a Pretty Way)
Brass shouldn’t turn pink or black. Color changes often indicate chemical breakdown of the metal, usually from exposure to harsh water chemistry combined with poor material composition. Much like the white or green powder that can emerge from poor quality fittings, pink or black can also be a sign of dezincification or corrosion.
Why it happens:
- Zinc leaching (pinkish hue)
- Corrosion or alloy fatigue (dark spots)
The Water Armor Advantage:
We use high-performance, corrosion- and dezincification-resistant ECO BRASS® that resists color degradation. The low zinc content and use of silicon in place of arsenic or lead prevents dezincification from occurring. This allows water to continue to flow smoothly for years. Our fittings keep their strength – and their looks – even in harsh environments.
5. You’re Losing Water Pressure or Flow Efficiency
Low water pressure? Slow faucet fill-ups? That’s not just an annoyance – it’s often a hidden fitting problem. While most people blame the PEX tubing, the real culprit is often a degraded or blocked fitting that’s choking the flow from the inside out.
Why it happens:
- Internal corrosion or mineral buildup in cheap brass fittings
- Inconsistent bore sizes or poor casting tolerances
- Inferior materials breaking down under thermal or chemical stress
You might not see it on the outside – but inside, those fittings are narrowing, flaking, or failing.
The Water Armor Advantage:
Water Armor fittings are precision-forged and machined for smooth, consistent internal diameters, ensuring maximum flow efficiency. Our full line of 1807 and 1960 drop ears can help keep your showers flowing at full power for years to come. We use dezincification-resistant ECO BRASS® to prevent internal corrosion and scale buildup over time. That means your water flows like it’s supposed to – today, tomorrow, and 10 years from now.
Don’t Wait for a Failure – Replace Smarter
If you’ve seen any of these red flags, don’t just swap one failing fitting for another one off the discount shelf. Upgrade to Water Armor and replace it with confidence.
- 100% Made in the USA
- Dezincification-Resistant ECO BRASS®
- Backed by Rigorous Testing and Compliance
- 24-hour order processing
- Free Freight on Orders Over $550
The Bottom Line: Trust What’s Inside the Wall
PEX systems make plumbing fast and easy – but if you’re using the wrong fittings, you’re setting yourself up for callbacks, headaches, and costly damage. Water Armor fittings are engineered to last, tested to perform, and backed by American manufacturing you can trust.