Customer Reviews for Watts 3/8 in. O.D. Plastic Tee

Upon installation, two of the three ports were fine, but the third one leaks. Flipping it around 180 degrees, the same port leaks, so it's definitely the fitting, not the tubing. I took it back and exchanged it, and the replacement leaks out of 2 of 3 ports.

I am a retired chemical engineer (32 years) with a huge amount of hands on experience running pipe (threaded galvanized from ½" up to 3"), tubing of all sorts, materials and sizes (1/8" to 1") and compression connections of various materials and manufacturers. I have had no problems installing several Watts 3/8" by ¼" push reducing unions on PE tubing, nor a ¼" Watts push union tee on copper tubing, but installing this 3/8" Watts push tee proved problematic. No matter what I did, the fitting leaked out of the bull of the tee. I am now awaiting the shipment of a British equivalent.

Also tried to use for connecting an RO system. I know how to properly cut and seat the pipe past the O-ring, since all connections to the RO system itself are leak-free, but the connections to and from the TEE leak. I tried multiple tees, and many cuts, new tube, all leaked. Compression fitting works better. The 1/4 size worked without issue., but some reason all of the 3/8" size leak.

Purchased these to hook up RO water system thought it was a good idea makes life simple WELL not so!!! every time you properly cut and insert the tube into the fitting as per instructions it scratches the tube leaving a groove or ridge from the barbs that keep the tube from coming out while under pressure( my system only works at 50 psig) since these grooves wont allow a liquid tight seal of the internal o ring guess what WATER LEAKS !!!! Yes another case of poor engineering You would think that the R&D department at Watts would have discovered this before releasing for retail sales. I have used this type of product on truck air brake systems that conform to DOT regs and never once had a AIR leak So whats so hard about designing a product that works at 1/3 the PSIG of an air system and only holds back water. I give up!!

I use these fittings in my business and am very happy with them. I find that when these leak someone has not installed them properly. You must insert the pipe past the O ring inside. I have found many people who have told me that the fitting leaks thought they had it inserted properly but it was not. I recommend a little sanding of the edge at an angle (chamfering). This most defiantly helps get the pipe to slide past the O ring. As far as metal in comparison to plastic just keep in mind, especially when using in consumable water, that the brass fitting unless stated as lead free contains lead in the metal. Some states such as California and Vermont requires all metal plumbing fittings be lead free for consumable water.

Leaks! Go with brass. Did everything right. It's just not solid especially if you any kind of pressure which in my case wasn't a whole lot.