Why use PEX pipe?
Plumbers and DIYers alike prefer using PEX over traditional copper and galvanized steel pipes because it’s reliable, lightweight, and relatively easy to work with. All of this means PEX pipe allows even the inexperienced DIYer to retrofit their plumbing system; no pro needed.
What color are PEX pipes?
If you’ve ever taken a look at your plumbing system and seen a jumble of colorful pipes, you’ve seen PEX pipes. They come in red, white, blue, and gray , and each color is used differently. Red PEX pipes carry hot water, blue pipes carry cold water, and white and gray can be used for either temperature.
How long do PEX pipes last?
As corrosion can lead to leaks down the road, that means PEX pipes are a durable plumbing solution. They will last an average of 50 years.
What is PEX flooring?
PEX is a unique and easy-to-work-with material that has multiple uses. DIYers should consider using it for all home plumbing projects as well as for radiant heat flooring.
How to connect PEX?
Use the tool to heat and stretch the diameter of the tube, then insert the end of a fitting. As it cools, the tube will contract and shrink down to its original size to create a seal around the fitting.
Can you splice PEX pipes?
If your home already has metal pipes, you can slowly splice in PEX whenever a pipe needs to be fixed. And if you’re building your plumbing system from scratch, use PEX pipes throughout it to make the system simpler.
Is PEX recyclable?
Green-minded DIYers beware: PEX isn’t recyclable. The material doesn’t melt like other plastics do, which poses a major recycling challenge. But it can partially make up for that with its long lifespan.
What is PEX piping?
PEX pipe or PEX tubing is made of a cross-linked polyethylene plastic, which is a flexible plastic. Because of the versatility of PEX piping, and the fact that it’s flexible and cheap, it’s used for plumbing in both residential and commercial buildings. There are three types of PEX piping: A, B, and C. PEX piping comes in four colors: red, blue, white, and gray. Red is traditionally used for hot water. Blue for cold water. White and gray can be used for both hot and cold water.
What is type C PEX?
Type C PEX piping is the stiffest of the three and is more prone to kinking and cracking than the other two. It’s often used for short repairs that don’t require any bends. Type C PEX is also usually cheaper than the other two types of PEX piping.
What are the disadvantages of PEX piping?
There are a couple of disadvantages to keep in mind before committing to PEX pipes on your project.
What is a push fit PEX pipe?
Push-fit connections: Push-fit connections are the quickest way to connect PEX piping. You simply purchase special fittings that grab the end of the pipe when it’s inserted, similar to a paper finger tube trap. A special removal ring is required to help you remove the pipe once it’s been connected.
What is the most flexible type of piping?
Type A PEX piping is the most flexible type of PEX piping, making it adaptable for all home water needs, including potable water piping. Type A PEX piping expands most out of the three types, so is most resistant to freezing and cracking, which is important in cold weather climates. While type A PEX is more expensive than the other two types of PEX piping , it is cheaper than copper pipes.
What is an expander tool?
Expansion connections: A special expander tool is used to stretch the PEX tubing before inserting a fitting. The PEX tube then shrinks back to its original size, creating a watertight seal around the fitting.
When was PEX piping invented?
In 1968 , German scientist Thomas Engel discovered the process of creating the plastic for PEX piping, cross-linked polyethylene. PEX piping caught on quickly in Europe in the 1980s. In the US, however, PEX did not catch on as quickly because PEX did not initially meet US standards for drinking water. It was mostly used at first in the US only for radiant floor heating systems. Once PEX manufacturers made the plastic less susceptible to corrosion from chlorine in drinking water, PEX piping became much more prevalent in the US.
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 are the grades of PEX?
For water lines there are three PEX supply grades: PEX-A, PEX-B and PEX-C. They’re manufactured differently, PEX-A being slightly more flexible. If you’re ordering online, go ahead and spend a few cents extra for PEX-A. But don’t go running around town looking for it; the difference isn’t that big.
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.
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.
How Do I Connect PEX to my Plumbing Fixtures?
If the connection will be visible, like under a wall-hung sink, and you would prefer the look of a copper tube coming out of the wall, use a copper stub-out (left). You can connect a compression-type shutoff valve to the one-half inch copper stub-out and then connect your fixture. In areas that are concealed, like under a kitchen sink or vanity cabinet, you can eliminate a joint by running PEX supply directly to the shutoff valve. Use a drop-ear bend support to hold the tubing in a tight bend (right). There are several types of shutoff valves that connect directly to PEX.
Will PEX Break or Split if it Freezes?
Probably not. Manufacturers are reluctant to say so, but reports from the field suggest PEX can withstand freezing. You should still protect the tubing from freezing. But since it can expand and contract, it’s less likely to break than rigid piping.
What is PEX?
PEX is a flexible plastic used as an alternative to traditional copper for water supply lines.
When was PEX invented?
A short history of PEX. The history of PEX begins in 1968 , when German scientist Thomas Engel crosslinked polyethylene to obtain a suppler material. His method uses radiation to crosslink common plastic and obtain flexible PEX pipes.
Why is PEX A hot crosslinked?
Thomas Engel. The method is also called hot crosslinking because polyethylene molecules are linked during the extrusion process.
How long does PEX last?
PEX has an expected lifetime of 50 years. This makes it a perfect candidate for replacing metal and thermoplastic pipes. Copper and steel can corrode, potentially causing leaks and contamination of the water supply. Metal piping is associated with a ‘water hammer’ noise, while PEX allows water to flow silently.
What is ABS pipe?
ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and is used due to being non-toxic and abrasion-resistant. These pipes are found in vent systems, drain lines, and electrical cable insulation.
Can mice chew pex pipe?
It appears that PEX tubing can be perforated by certain plant-eating insects, such as the Western conifer seed bug. Even mice can chew through PEX pipes. The result is leakage and damaged plumbing systems.
Is PEX plumbing good for residential?
As a result, PEX is once again a common choice for residential water supply systems. However, some of the deterioration cases of older PEX plumbing systems has affected this product’s reputation.
