Plumbing with pex

[charlesj52]

I'm building a new house & were close to the plumbing stage. I've always used copper , but now have been told that pex is the way to go.
Can I get some feed back on the use of pex verses copper & does anyone know of a good book the shows using pex for plumbing. Thanks
Also I know its not to nice to be looking for other forums but does anyone know of one called the wall. Some how I lost all my bookmarks in netscape & now I can't find that forum.....Thanks again....

[roger g]

Pex is very good and appears to be the way of the future. Installation time is cut waaaaay down though I don't know what the prices are. You can run the pipe like copper where you tee off to different locations or you can use the homerun system where you run a separate line to each location and they all meet at one manifold location. With the homerun way you use more plastic but use less fittings (expensive) and the only place you can get a leak is at either end. Pex is a do it yourselfers dream.


roger

[mak1116]

I to am planning on having PEX put in my new home. There is one big problem however, finding a plumber to do it. They do not seem to want to vary from the way they have always done things. Everything I have read says PEX is superior (except in very cold climates), and cuts labor time by at least half.
We consumer types want the lastest technology (we see it on home improvement show) but can't find builders, etc who are willing to think out of the box.

[HDNord]

If I was building our home again I'd do pex with home runs to a manifold.

[GVA]

Checkout PEX at Toolbase. They have a design guide and much more.
http://www.toolbase.org/ToolbaseResources/level4DG.aspx?ContentDetailID=3700&BucketID=4&CategoryID=9

[David]

Copper has shot up in price. Many production builders are switching to PEX.

[Cole]

Copper has shot up in price. Many production builders are switching to PEX.

Yep, Copper is just getting to expensive.

[abq1124]

FH had a good article about PEX in last month's issue. Apparently it is easier to install than copper and PVC, but the fittings and the crimper are hard to find and expensive.

[Vector]

FH had a good article about PEX in last month's issue. Apparently it is easier to install than copper and PVC, but the fittings and the crimper are hard to find and expensive.

Eh? Maybe regionally. I can hit several stores in 15 minutes of driving or less that carry a full range of PEX stuff, including crimpers and fittings.

I'm gonna use PEX when we redo the family cabin's bath. I'll run everything new except the kitchen sink supply. Since it's small, I can get away with just a 6 port cold manifold and a three port hot and have 95% new supply plumbing in the time it would take me to redo the CPVC that's in just the bath now.

[MCC]

We Have Been Using Pex For About 5 Years Where Plumbing Code Allow. Its A Great Product. Most Of The Bigger Plumbing Supply Houses Carry It And Have All The Tools And Literature You Need. If Your Plumbing Supply Doesn't Carry It Ask Why It's Probably Because It's Not Allowed In Your Area, If It Is I Highly Recommend It.

[David]

Eh?


You're sooo Minnesotan....;)

[Stumped]

I bought a bunch of PEX Supplies recently from a dot com. Waiting on permit so haven't used it. Wirsbo hand expander expensive but after making one connection and trying to mess with it way impressed.

It won't budge, twist, move or come apart in any way. Can't wait to install some for real. Hand expander might be a pain in tight situations but so is soldering tons of joints.

I plan on a semi- branch & manifold system.

Dot com i used was great. Not one order error on lots of small parts and on time.
Nothing B/O'd.

[Mike44]

This is a little description of PEX that I found that explains what it is made of:

The name PEX refers to cross—linked polyethylene piping. Cross—linking is a chemical process that gives the material greater durability than similar materials that are not cross—linked. The result is a flexible thermoset polymer that is very durable at a wide range of temperatures. It has been approved for potable hot—and cold—water supply systems in many areas. Check local codes to see if this product is approved for use in your area.

PEX piping systems have various advantages over copper supply piping. They install quickly and can easily be routed through irregular areas without requiring a great number of joints and fittings. Some products are color coded to make it easier to identify hot and cold water lines later on. PEX piping systems use fittings that are made from brass, copper, or high—temperature polymers that are highly durable and chlorine—resistant.

PEX piping is freeze—resistant but not freezeproof. Follow all local guidelines for protecting water supply piping from freezing weather.

[Belle]

It has been approved for potable hot—and cold—water supply systems in many areas.

I just heard that PEX has been found to leach cancer causing compounds? Has anyone seen or heard this? I thought it had been tested as better than pvc for not leaching.

Has anyone ever had their water taste like plastic with PEX?

[steeve]

hi, i m a copper guy so i used pex and copper on my new home, very easy to work with, about 5 times cheaper then copper, if i knew i would off use only pex, if your a bit handy, could do it your self...if you decide to use pex use the 3/4" size,... the 1/2" dia. is about 3/8 inside dia.... here's what i did, valves at every water station.

[David]

Steeve -

Did you run one line to each fixture?
Or did you run one line to the bathroom, and then split it to the toilet, to the sink, and tub/shower?
Or did you run one line to the sink/toilet and one to the tub/shower?

- Dave

[steeve]

Steeve -

Did you run one line to each fixture?
Or did you run one line to the bathroom, and then split it to the toilet, to the sink, and tub/shower?
Or did you run one line to the sink/toilet and one to the tub/shower?

- Dave

i ran 1 line to each bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, but i separated the tub and shower (1 each)... in the rooms i have copper installation so the pex is the water input...

[lazy]

Hi
steeve I just purchased 600 ft of 1/2 inch pex and its 1/2 inch inside Dia. same as copper.

Charlie.

[i_am_chris]

We are DIY for the yurt. I started out with copper, and made a huge mess of things. The guys at our local plumbing supply place were really cool about getting us PEX and fittings, they even offered to buy back the crimping tool when we were done as they could sell it as used and save us (and the next guy) some money. But, it looks really cool in the toolbox and I figure its worth having around. We followed the plan we had for the copper lines, no worries. The yurt we are in now is still being heated by wood, the floor is insulated but its about 2' above ground, we wrapped a sheet of plastic around last winter to create a dead air space. The only freeze problem we had was when the pipes froze near the supply, since some of that was still exposed. When the radiant floor heating is functional I expect we'll have no freeze issues except in the most unusual cases.

[joelpat]

I (mostly) love working with PEX, but I'm not impressed with the Vanguard Manabloc manifold. I had one port break off the manifold. It was my fault as I had a temporary line running low to the floor and my dog ran into it, but the point is that the port just snapped off, and had I not been there, I would have had thousands of gallons in my basement.

2nd complaint: In spite of being very careful, one of the threaded plastic connections on top of the manifold that feeds the hot water tank has stripped. Obviously I wasn't careful enough, but if it was something that I was keeping in mind, I shouldn't have been able to do it at all.

I may or may not replace my 6 month old Vanguard manifold with a copper manifold. If I do, I'll consider it a $300 lesson in common sense.

[rakuz66]

Does anyone like those shark bite fittings on pex connections? Or is crimping better?

[plmbwizardz]

sharkbite's are a very good product if installed correctly. The little white insert that comes with them MUST be used on anything but copper. When using a sharkbite with copper you will remove the insert. my company uses them regularily. especially during the freezing months. quick easy repair and on to the next job.

[jamez]

WARNING >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Investigate.

Check to see what kind of water you have. PH 8 neutral,
Acidic, ????

Check definition for >>>> "" AGRESSIVE WATER"".

There are cases where the water has damaged the Brass fittings, causing leaks.

Water Quality is important. USA location is important.