How to size PEX pipe for home plumbing?
- Count fixtures: The fixture unit differs depending on the pipes you may require. ...
- The length of the water supply: The further away the water supply tank is the more pressure is required through the pipe to flow the water from the supply point to the designated area. ...
- Pressure: The pressure is required to let the water flow through the pipe. ...
- Choose the size: ...
What is the size of a PEX pipe?
Pex is usually used in the size of ½ inch, ¾ inch, or 1 inch. The size depends on water lines, the pressure of water, and also the demand for water. Improper sizing of the pex pipe can cause a decrease in water flow with time. Moreover, low pressure inside the pex pipe can lead to no water flow.
What happens if the size of a PEX pipe is wrong?
Having the wrong size would result in added/decreased water pressure for your supply. PEX size also determines the flow rate of your water. A typical 1-inch line has a flow rate of 9 GPM (Gallons per minute). On the other hand, a 1 ¼ inch pipe provides 16 GPM.
Is PEX pipe the same as red tubing?
While the tubing is the same regardless of color, it does make it easier to differentiate between hot and cold water lines by choosing red or blue tubing. For indoor plumbing, the most common PEX tubing is one half-inch, which boasts a higher flow rate than copper pipe of the same size.
What size PEX do I need to run a pressure drop?
Pressure Drop Considerations. A 3/8-inch line is sufficient for lengths up to 250 feet; 1/2-inch line will deliver adequate water pressure up to 350 feet; and 3/4-inch tubing is necessary to run a 500-foot line. Look for a maximum recommended lengths specification on the PEX packaging.
What diameter PEX should I use?
PEX is available in 3/8- to 1-inch diameters. It's a good idea to install 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch PEX for your main lines for adequate water flow. When replacing old water supply lines with PEX the standard is to use the same size plumbing, although you can transition from 3/4-inch to 1/2-inch plumbing with an adapter.
What is the most common PEX size?
Types of PEX Both types of tubing come in three colors—red, white, and blue—in diameters ranging from 1/4-inch to 3 inches. For indoor plumbing, the most common PEX tubing is one half-inch, which boasts a higher flow rate than copper pipe of the same size.
What size PEX pipe should I use on my house?
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How do I calculate water line size?
The 75% Method means that if there's both a hot water and cold water supplied to the fixture, we take that total fixture unit and multiply it by . 75. The resulting number is the size of the each branch.
What is better PEX crimp or SharkBite?
For situations where you are looking to implement a temporary fix, Sharkbite is the better choice. Sharkbite is also great in situations where crimping is not possible due to tight spaces. For situations where you are looking for a permanent solution, a crimp is a better choice due to their long-term reliability.
What do PEX colors mean?
Color-Coded: Red PEX pipes can be used for hot water supply lines, blue PEX for cold water supply, and white for either hot or cold. These colors are just for your convenience. Plumbing code does not require the pipe color to match the type of water supply.
Does reducing pipe size increase water pressure?
In water flowing pipeline, pipe size and water pressure are dependent on each other. Because if the diameter of a pipe decreased, then the pressure in the pipeline will increase.
Is 3/4 water line big enough?
3/4 supply is good for most houses. If you have low pressure with taps on 3/4 may be small. If you have big house with many lavatories and people 3/4 may be small.
Whats better 1 2 or 3 4 water line?
Running 3/4" piping from the 1/2" feed will slightly decrease the pressure loss, meaning you'll get more pressure at your fixtures, but the difference will probably be very small. Most of the pressure loss will have already occurred in the 1/2" line before it reaches your house.
Should I upsize PEX?
There is a rule of thumb among contractors that when swapping out copper pipe for PEX the safest thing to do is upsize the PEX tubing. The thinking behind it is that replacing ¾" copper with 1" PEX is a no-brainer way to ensure adequate pressure and performance.
Can I run 3 4 PEX to shower?
You can keep it all 3/4 PEX, or you can reduce it to 1/2 to save money and space, or to deal with parts availability. Most fixtures (sink, toilet, tub, shower) don't need 3/4 all the way, but it is not forbidden or bad to do so.
Can you run PEX directly to water heater?
Can I Connect PEX to My Water Heater? PEX can't be directly connected to a water heater.
Which is better PEX-A or PEX B?
Flexibility - PEX-A is the most flexible, allowing for it to be fastened by cold expansion, which allows the end to be fluted prior to inserting the fitting. PEX B is not expandable and you should never expand the end of a PEX-B pipe. Kink-Resistance - PEX-A has the greatest resistance, PEX-B the lowest.
Is 1 2 PEX enough for washing machine?
Water Pressure Other fixtures that benefit from 1/2-inch lines are washing machines and dishwashers. Sinks and showers are water guzzlers, and you can conserve by running 3/8-inch lines to them. Because the rate at which a commode tank refills is usually not important, it's okay to run 3/8-inch line there as well.
How many GPM can 3/4 PEX flow?
You can flow 20 GPM through 3/4" pipe or 12 GPM at the same pressure through the same size pipe.
How do I know if I have PEX-A vs PEX B?
The second way is to identify the style of fittings. PEX-B will have metal rings — either cramp or clamp — whereas the PEX-A uses an expansion ring made out of PEX or a similar material.
How many fixtures are on a 1/2 PEX water line?
1/2 inch PEX pipe usually has up to 4 fixtures. 3/4 pipes can have up to 14 fixtures and 1-inch pipe can have up to 30 fixture units.
How far apart should PEX hangers be?
Long runs of PEX pipe must be supported by proper hangers. It is usually recommended to fasten the tubing at every 32 inches when running it alongs...
Does PEX need expansion loops?
Always remember that PEX expands and contracts as a response to the surrounding temperature. For every 10 F of temperature change, the PEX pipe len...
What is the maximum distance between hangers for 1/2 PEX?
Maximum hanger spacing is 6' for ½" and ¾" pipe and 8' for 1" and larger full-length pipe segments with PEX-a Pipe Support.
Is PEX safe for drinking water?
PEX pipes are 100% safe to be used for drinking water. A few types of PEX-pipes may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odor if the water remains...
Does PEX piping affect the water pressure?
No. The PEX piping doesn't slow or affect the water pressure anyway.
How far can you run PEX tubing?
In general, the greater the distance from the manifold to the fixture, the wider the PEX tubing should be. A 3/8-inch line is sufficient for lengths up to 250 feet; 1/2-inch line will deliver adequate water pressure up to 350 feet; and 3/4-inch tubing is necessary to run a 500-foot line.
What is the diameter of PEX tubing?
The flexible tubing comes in rolls of 50 feet up to 1,000 feet. PEX tubes range in diameter from 3/8-inch to 1-inch for residential applications. For adequate water flow, it's a good idea ...
How big is a PEX pipe?
PEX tubes range in diameter from 3/8-inch to 1-inch for residential applications. For adequate water flow, it's a good idea to install 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch PEX for your main lines. The standard when replacing old water supply lines with PEX is to use the same size.
What fixtures use 1/2 inch lines?
Other fixtures that benefit from 1/2-inch lines are washing machines and dishwashers. Sinks and showers are water guzzlers, and you can conserve by running 3/8-inch lines to them. Because the rate at which a commode tank refills is usually not important, it’s okay to run 3/8-inch line there as well.
Can you use PEX tubing for 3/4 inch manifold?
For example, if the manifold has 3/4-inch valves, you can install 3/4-inch, or smaller, PEX tubing. Reducer fittings are necessary when you need to install tubing narrower than a manifold valve.
Can you run PEX tubing from a water supply manifold?
Because it’s flexible and continuous, plumbers can run PEX tubing from a water-supply manifold directly to each fixture. Whole-house residential manifolds typically have blue valves on one side and red valves on the other, indicating hot and cold water lines, respectively.
Who is Glenda Taylor?
Glenda Taylor is a contractor and a full-time writer specializing in construction writing. She also enjoys writing business and finance, food and drink and pet-related articles. Her education includes marketing and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas.
Why Does Size Matter?
When it comes to your plumbing, size matters. Having the wrong size would result in added/decreased water pressure for your supply .
What is the PSI range?
The PSI range we have to choose from is between 46-60 PSI. This is because our residual pressure is 54 PSI.
How much pressure rises per foot of elevation?
The general rule of thumb is that 0.5 PSI of pressure rises per foot of elevation. And 0.5 PSI increases per foot drop from the centerline.
How to find the pressure range of a fixture unit?
This is for when you have both hot and cold water supplies. You take a branch’s fixture unit and multiply it by 75% to get the fixture unit for that pressure range.
What happens if you use the wrong size of PEX?
In conclusion, this is how you figure out which sized PEX you have to use. If you use the wrong size PEX for your ductworks, there may be leaks . This is why it’s crucial for you to insulate your pipework too.
What is the maximum pipe size for a branch?
The maximum pipe size for the branches is 1 inch. It’s the corresponding size for the values of 16.5 units, 115 feet within the 46-60 PSI range. The lowest is ½ an inch.
What is the maximum size for 4?
The maximum allowable size for 4 is ½ an inch. If your value was greater than 4 and less than 14, it would have been ¾ inches. Having a value greater than 14 and less than 28 would result in 1 inch.
What type of fittings are used for PEX?
Hundreds of types of fittings, usually brass, are available for connecting PEX to existing copper or steel pipes, and for making connections to fixtures. Fittings are also available for connecting pipes of different sizes. The following five methods are used for making the connections watertight. Photo: amazon.com.
What is PEX tubing?
Choose the tubing best suited to your needs: PEX-A is manufactured using peroxide. This type of PEX is the most flexible of the three types and is suitable for use in all home water-supply plumbing needs.
What color is PEX?
Water flows silently through PEX, eliminating the “water hammer” noise associated with metal piping. Color-coding (red and blue) make it simple to distinguish hot and cold supply lines. PEX can be connected to existing metal supply lines with the correct fittings.
What is the advantage of PEX pipe?
PEX has a distinct advantage over these materials because of its flexibility, which allows one end of PEX pipe to connect to a PEX manifold (the main water control system) and then wind through walls and floors—uninterrupted—all the way to an individual fixture.
What type of PEX pipe is used for hot water?
Blue PEX pipe carries cold water. White PEX pipe can be used for either hot or cold water. Gray PEX pipe, like white, can be used for either hot or cold water (although not all DIY centers carry gray).
How long is a PEX pipe?
PEX is available in a variety of lengths, from short 10-foot pieces (for small repairs) to rolls over 500 feet long, which are used to install a home’s entire water supply system. PEX pipe ranges from 3/8- to 1-inch in diameter and its color-coding makes it a snap to identify what a specific pipe is used for. Although there are three types of PEX (see Label Lingo, below), the different colors don’t connote the distinctions; they simply make it easy for the installer to identify which lines carry hot water and which carry cold.
What is PEX pipe?
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), a type of flexible plastic, is currently replacing traditional copper and galvanized steel as water supply lines in both new construction and remodeling projects. You’ve probably seen rolls of blue and red PEX pipe in the plumbing aisle of your local home improvement store, but might not know that this colorful tubing now makes it possible for enthusiastic DIYers to replace their own leaky water lines instead of calling a pro. Read on to learn more about PEX—what it is, where it can be used, and all the pros and cons of this popular plumbing material.
What is PEX a layer of?
Also known as PEX-AL-PEX, aluminum barrier PEX is three-layer tubing that consists of a layer of PEX, a layer of aluminum, and another layer of PEX. Its primary benefit is that once bent, PEX-AL-PEX holds its shape and doesn’t need to be tied down every few feet.
What type of fittings are used for PEX tubing?
Once you’ve determined which type of PEX tubing you need, you will need to choose the fittings. The easiest to use are brass push-fit fittings, which simply “bite” into the tubing. Other types of fittings used with PEX are crimp, clamp, press and compression, any of which are less expensive but require specialized tools.
How many different types of PEX are there?
More than 20 different types of PEX are on the market, each suited to a specific plumbing or heating job, so knowing which PEX product to pick for your project is important. Photo: istockphoto.com.
What is PEX B?
PEX-B is slightly less flexible and less freeze-resistant. Both types of tubing come in three colors—red, white, and blue—in diameters ranging from 1/4-inch to 3 inches. For indoor plumbing, the most common PEX tubing is one half-inch, which boasts a higher flow rate than copper pipe of the same size. For outdoor applications, “sleeved” versions of ...
What is the difference between PEX and PEX-B?
PEX-A, which has the most flexible tubing and best freeze- and kink resistance, is ideal for use with kitchen and bath fixtures. PEX-B is slightly less flexible and less freeze-resistant.
What size oxygen barrier is used for baseboard?
The 1/2-inch size is most commonly used; 3/8-, 5/8- and 3/4-inch sizes are also available.
What is PEX tubing?
Polyethylene cross-linked tubing, better known as PEX, is a fine addition to the industrious do-it-yourself plumber’s arsenal. Inexpensive to buy and surprisingly versatile, PEX is also relatively easy to install.
What is PEX fitting made of?
PEX fittings are most commonly made up of one of three different types of materials: Plastics, Brasses, or Stainless Steel. Alternatively, a push fit fitting uses a combination of these materials. As you can imagine, there are pros and cons to each choice that we’ll briefly outline below.
What is PEX compression fitting?
Especially in cases where a PEX fitting is being married to an alternate form of pipe with copper tube size (CTS) copper, CPVC and some types of tubing. A compression fitting may be an appropriate choice. A brass sleeve and nut are installed over the end of the PEX pipe or CTS tubing, and then the pipe is inserted into the fitting. When the brass nut is tightened the sleeve creates a compression seal.
What is a push fit fitting?
The simplest and easiest connection to make, no special tools are required. A Push Fit fitting is pressed onto the end of a PEX Pipe and the connection is complete . Although these fittings are easy to install and great for repairs the cost tends to be prohibitive for new installations, as they are sometimes 5-10x more expensive than their crimp ring or pinch clamp counterparts. There is also debate within the plumbing community about the permanence and trustworthiness of some of these fittings in enclosed locations (behind walls, etc.).
What is a pinch clamp for PEX B?
By all means one of the most popular and economic options within PEX B systems is a copper crimp ring or S.S. pinch clamp. These two technologies are similar in that a metal fastener is attached over the barbs of the fitting with the PEX tube in between. The ring or clamp is then secured by a dedicated tool to ensure a proper fit.
What is PEX tubing?
PEX, of course, is the industry term for cross-linked polyethylene. The method in which a manufacturer performs the cross linking is what denotes what type of PEX (A, B, or C) it is.
What are the different ways to make a joint?
Variety of ways to make a joint (crimp ring, pinch clamp, push-fit, compression or twist & lock)
Where is the size of PEX pipe printed?
Determining the size of your PEX is fairly easy, it is printed along the side of the PEX pipe.
Do I Need Special Tools?
Yes. When plumbing with PEX, you can use stab-in or compression fittings to make the connections, but they’re too expensive to be practical on large projects. Connections for most PEX supply jobs require a special tool. There are several PEX supply connection methods, but only two affordable enough to be practical for DIYers: crimp rings and cinch clamps.
What is PEX Piping?
PEX piping (shorthand for cross-linked polyethylene) costs less than half the price of copper and installs much faster. And since it’s flexible, PEX makes remodeling jobs easier. PEX has a strong “memory;” it always wants to spring back to its original shape. So working with a coil of PEX is like wrestling with a giant Slinky. For most jobs, you’re better off buying 10-ft. “sticks” instead. You may have to pay a few cents more per foot and install a coupler or two, but you’ll avoid frustration and kinks. Even plumbers who run miles of PEX every year often buy sticks than coils.
What About PEX vs. CPVC?
A PEX supply and CPVC cost about the same. But there are a few reasons why PEX may be a better choice. First, a PEX doesn’t require glue, which means you don’t have to work in well-ventilated spaces or wear a respirator. PEX is less likely than CPVC to burst if it freezes. Also, since PEX is more flexible and available in long lengths, it can work better for ‘fishing’ through walls in remodeling situations.
How Do I Splice PEX Fittings Into My Existing Pipe?
SharkBite is one common brand of stab-in fitting. This method doesn’t require soldering, which can be a big time-saver. But check with your plumbing inspector if you’re planning to bury this connection in a wall or ceiling. Some areas don’t allow stab-in fittings to be concealed. Another method is to solder in a tee and a PEX supply adapter. Then slip the PEX supply tubing over the adapter and attach it with your chosen connection method (right). You can also use a stab-in tee to connect PEX fittings supply to CPVC. Read the label to find the compatible fitting.
Do I Have to Use Manifolds with PEX?
No. You can install PEX fittings supply just like you would other pipe, with main lines and branches to each fixture. But you lose a lot of the benefits of PEX with this system since it requires so many fittings. With the home-run system, you install a manifold in the utility room or some area that’s close to the main water line and water heater, and run a separate PEX tube to each fixture as shown above. This system uses more tubing, but is fast and only requires two connections: one at the manifold and another at the fixture end. You can also use a hybrid system where you run three-quarter inch hot and cold lines to a set of fixtures — for example, a bathroom — and install a smaller manifold behind an access panel. Then make short runs of one-half inch PEX water line tubing to each fixture.
Does it Meet Code?
There is no unified national plumbing code. Before starting your PEX plumbing job, check with your local inspector for specific local requirements.
Is PEX Reliable?
PEX has been used for decades in other countries, where there are thousands of homes with 30-year-old, leak-free PEX. Most of the problems with PEX systems, in the United States and elsewhere, were due to sloppy installation or faulty fittings rather than the tubing itself.
Why Does Size Matter?
- When it comes to your plumbing, size matters. Having the wrong size would result in added/decreased water pressure for your supply. PEX size also determines the flow rate of your water. A typical 1-inch line has a flow rate of 9 GPM (gallons per minute). On the other hand, a 1¼ inch pipe provides 16 GPM. You can see how even a quarter of an inch af...
Figuring Out Bathroom’S Pex Size
- As the above section explains, you can’t randomly place PEX of any size. There’s a blueprint for figuring out what size you have to use. You must be aware of the basics of pex in order to know the right size. This calculation requires 6 steps of analysis, which are mentioned below.
FAQs
- Question: Are rats capable of chewing through PEX? Answer: Yes they most definitely are. Rats and mice can chew through most things including plastic PEX pipes. Question: Will my PEX pipes get flimsy over time? Answer: Yes, PEX will get flimsy over time. Especially if it’s kept in sunlight, it might crack under pressure. Question: Does PEX have better water pressure than CPVC? Answe…
Conclusion
- Now you know what size PEX for the bathroom you should use. We hope this guide came in handy. You are now equipped with the knowledge to tackle issues regarding PEX size. Till then, stay safe and happy with plumbing!