What size PEX should I run in my house?
What size PEX should I use? 3/8″ to 1″ is acceptable for residential use. Consider the demand, distance, and how much water pressure desired at each outlet. Larger PEX equals more pressure. For instance, the faucets generally use 1/2″ PEX.
What are the standard sizes for PEX tubing?
PEX Diameter 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 size PEX is used in RVs?
Typically, most RV's use 1/2 inch PEX lines for the water lines. However, some RVs use a 3/8 inch PEX. The size will depend on your RV in specific. PEX piping has many benefits; it can still burst at low temperatures meaning you will need to replace it. That's why in this article, we will discuss the standard PEX lines used in RVs.
What is the largest size PEX pipe?
Today, PEX pipe — specifically ASTM F1960 fittings — is being offered in the larger sizes of 2 1/2 in. and 3 in., allowing greater use and flow in commercial plumbing and hydronic piping applications. Are there different types of PEX pipe? There are three different types of PEX tubing: PEX-a, PEX-b and PEX-c.
What is the most common PEX size?
1/2-inchThe 1/2-inch size is most commonly used; 3/8-, 5/8- and 3/4-inch sizes are also available.
What is the difference between PEX a PEX B and PEX C?
PEX A is made using the Peroxide, or Engel, method. PEX B is formed using Silane, or Moisture Cure, method. This is the most common PEX pipe type out there. PEX C is created using the Electronic Irradiation, or Cold, method of cross-linking.
Are PEX A and PEX B the same size?
For this article, we'll focus on two of them, and discuss PEX A vs. PEX B, their benefits, and when one is preferred over another. Both forms are the same size, meeting Copper Tube Size standards. They also meet the ASTM F876 performance standard and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 for installation in water distribution systems.
Can you use blue PEX for hot water?
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.
How long will PEX tubing last?
50 yearsPEX: Due to its flexibility and durability, PEX piping should last at least 50 years. PVC / CPVC: Under typical conditions, these pipes should last up to 100 years. Keep in mind that PVC pipes are often used for drainage because extreme heat can damage them.
Can you use white PEX for hot 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).
Where should you not use PEX?
You can't install PEX in high heat areas like near recessed lighting. This also means you can't connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this. PEX is semi-permeable, which means liquid can enter the pipe. When it comes to safety, PEX isn't antibacterial.
Are PEX clamps or crimp better?
Pinch Clamp Tools Work Better in Tight Spaces Especially when your PEX is pressed up against a wall—or there is just otherwise very little wiggle room to work—crimp tools can become a much bigger hassle. The larger jaw of the tool means you need ample room behind your PEX to be able to make a proper connection.
What is Type C PEX used for?
While PEX-C may be suitable for hydronic and radiant heating use, it offers little practical advantage over the other two types for hot and cold-water plumbing.
Which PEX is best for drinking water?
PEX-APEX-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. It expands to the greatest degree when subjected to freezing water, so it's the most resistant to cracking in frigid temperatures.
Does SharkBite work on PEX A and B?
SharkBite push-to-connect fittings listed to ASSE 1061 approved for PEX-A, PEX-B and PEX-C pipe.
Can PEX A be used with PEX B fittings?
Apollo PEX-A (Expansion PEX) pipe can be used with Apollo PEX-A or Apollo PEX-B fittings, brass and poly alloy. Apollo PEX-B pipe cannot be used with PEX-A fittings.
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.
What is PEX?from garagetooladvisor.com
The acronym, which is alternately known as XPE or XLPE, stands for cross-linked polyethylene.
What are the colors of PEX?from garagetooladvisor.com
PEX Colors. PEX generally comes in two colors: red and blue. As the colors suggest, this is merely a way to distinguish between hot and cold lines once installed and have no bearing on which type of PEX is actually being used. A white version is also available for general use lines.
Why should PEX be secured?from pexuniverse.com
Since PEX expands and contracts with temperature changes, it should be secured so as to provide sufficient space for expansion to occur.
What is PEX overbending?from pexuniverse.com
Over-bending the PEX pipe, deforms its’ round shape, restricts flow and over-stresses the pipe.
How is PEXA made?from garagetooladvisor.com
PEX-A, also called PE-Xa and PEXa, is manufactured using the Engel method. This process involves hot cross-linking above the melting point of the polymer crystal with the cross-linking bonds made between carbon atoms.
What is PVC in 2021?from garagetooladvisor.com
In fact, you probably know about it even if you are living under a rock, as it’s used in underground lines. But one thing you might not be aware of is that PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and its offshoot CPVC have a major competitor called PEX.
When was PEX approved?from garagetooladvisor.com
In 2007, California approved limited, case-by-case usage of PEX using red brass, which only contains five to ten percent zinc. This new restriction proved to eliminate the system failures, and PEX was authorized for general use in 2009 with strict requirements to use only red brass fittings.
How much does PEX pipe expand?from plumbermag.com
PEX pipe expands and contracts at a rate of 1.1 inches per 100 feet per 10 degrees F ∆T. Utilizing PEX-a Pipe Support in suspended-piping applications in conjunction with fixed anchor points can reduce this expansion and contraction rate to an acceptable level.
What are the different grades of PEX pipe?from askinglot.com
Considering this, are there different grades of PEX pipe? There are three different types of PEX tubing: PEX-a, PEX-b and PEX-c. Uponor manufactures PEX-a tubing, which is considered the superior type of PEX in the industry because the crosslinking is done during the manufacturing process when polyethylene is in its amorphic state ...
What is the SDR of PEX pipe?from plumbermag.com
PEX pipe is manufactured with a CTS outside diameter and a standard dimension ratio (SDR) of nine. The SDR is a correlation between the pipe’s outside diameter and wall thickness. This allows PEX to use the same hangers and supports used with copper, as well as any CTS insulations. PEX-a pipe is burst tested at an elevated pressure, and all pipe sizes will burst in the 800 psi range, nearly double the minimum requirement of ASTM F876 Standard Specification for Cross-linked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing. Figure C shows the temperature and pressure ratings:
Why should PEX be secured?from pexuniverse.com
Since PEX expands and contracts with temperature changes, it should be secured so as to provide sufficient space for expansion to occur.
What is PEX overbending?from pexuniverse.com
Over-bending the PEX pipe, deforms its’ round shape, restricts flow and over-stresses the pipe.
How long does a PEX pipe stay pressurized?from pexuniverse.com
Some manufacturers recommend "conditioning" of the system, or allowing the PEX system to stay pressurized for about 30 minutes prior to taking a reading .
Why are engineers hesitant to specify PEX?from plumbermag.com
Yet, many engineers remain hesitant to specify PEX simply because metallic systems have been the norm for so long and are often the default option. Here’s a look at how to best design and size a PEX installation in order to overcome some of that hesitation.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
What size PEX should I use in my house?
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.
Can you use pex under a house?
You can definitely use pex under a house with proper insulation. Pex is highly restricted by many countries. Pex can not be installed at a place where it would get exposed to UV light. Moreover, high water pressure can cause the pex line to burst.
Should I use PEX A or PEX B in my house?
Pex A is often used in the houses for water lines rather than pex B. Pex A and pex B are totally of the same size yet different. The pex A is considerably better than pex B. Pex A can expand which makes it easier to fit into lines.
What size PEX is used for main water line?
A ¾ or 1-inch pex is often used for the main water line. The water line supplies the water to the whole house. A simple mistake in choosing the pipe size can cause less water supply and sometimes no water supply.
How to size PEX pipe for home plumbing?
Pex size for home plumbing depends on many factors. You need to go through every single one to know what size pex pipe is required for your home. Certain steps you can follow while choosing the size of the pex pipe are listed below.
Where is pex used in the house?
Pex is usually used in the house serving various purposes. It can actually provide benefits in many ways. You can save your money as it is cheaper to install. You can use pex in the house for multiple purposes and those are given below.
Final Thoughts
Overall, pex pipe size depends on the demand for water supply, pressure, and also on fixtures. People usually choose a ¾ or 1-inch water line of pex for houses. While ½ inch pex pipe can be used for branches. The size is highly influenced by fixtures; better consider those before choosing the size.
Why should PEX be secured?
Since PEX expands and contracts with temperature changes, it should be secured so as to provide sufficient space for expansion to occur.
What is the SDR 9 for PEX?
PEX made to US standards must comply with a SDR-9 (Standard Dimension Ratio), which is the ratio of OD (Outside Diameter) to pipe wall thickness (9:1). Exceptions are nominal sizes 1/2" and below.
What is PEX overbending?
Over-bending the PEX pipe, deforms its’ round shape, restricts flow and over-stresses the pipe.
Is PEX tubing universal?
Since all PEX tubing used in the US is manufactured to the same ASTM and dimensional (SDR) standards, these specifications are universal. Manufacturing tolerances and other details can be found in manufacturers’ manuals.
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 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 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 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).
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.
