EcoRenovator  

Go Back   EcoRenovator > Improvements > Renovations & New Construction
Advanced Search
 


Blog 60+ Home Energy Saving Tips Recent Posts Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-02-14, 09:09 AM   #1
doug30293
Too Many Projects
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: georgia
Posts: 91
Thanks: 0
Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts
Default PEX Plumbing

My experience with PEX in plumbing applications goes back to the time when it was known for leaking connections. Has this problem been completely solved?

I note that there are a variety of connection products, some of which seem to be quite expensive. Some just look like they won't provide a long term solution. Comments from experience are welcome.

I've had good luck with CPVC. How does PEX compare?

doug30293 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-14, 11:58 AM   #2
stevehull
Steve Hull
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA
Posts: 826
Thanks: 241
Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts
Default

I think you are thinking of polybutylene plumbing (history of water leaks at connections). To my knowledge, PEX has not had any large scale history of leaks that I am aware of.

Polybutylene was the rage for a while (1980's - mid 1990s), but a large recall and large class action claim (~ 1998) made it a tough sell.

PEX is clearly the way to go today. One manifold and all home runs from appliances back to manifold home.

Yet some regions still do not allow it. Boston for example, mandates copper plumbing and black iron sewer pipe. No PEX or PVC anywhere. Strong plumbing union . . .

Steve
__________________
consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990
stevehull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-02-14, 01:26 PM   #3
iamgeo
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Lakehills, Tx
Posts: 168
Thanks: 4
Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts
Default

[IMG][/IMG]
Just last weekend I installed a PEX manifold and replaced most of the CPVC with PEX tubing. One thing that made it so easy is the ability to use the quick connects to connect the PEX to CPVC.


[IMG][/IMG]
I just ran the PEX up to where the CPVC enters the house.


Yesterday, Sunday March 1, I replaced the valve for my shower. I sure do love the quick connects. Made the job so easy.
iamgeo is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to iamgeo For This Useful Post:
buffalobillpatrick (09-10-14)
Old 03-03-14, 08:02 AM   #4
Daox
Administrator
 
Daox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Germantown, WI
Posts: 5,525
Thanks: 1,162
Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts
Default

I've also never had issues with PEX connections either. Its quick, easy, and cheap.

I like the 'cinch' crimp fittings. One tool can crimp all sizes. Works like a dream.

__________________
Current project -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.



To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
&
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Daox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-14, 01:37 PM   #5
nokiasixteth
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 348
Thanks: 43
Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts
Default

I like pvc much better than pex much cheaper. Plan on re plumbing the whole house with 1 1/4 pvc or 1 inch pvc. But the good thing on the pex. Its a bit easier to run in some cases. I dont worry about freezing because my lines are all burried under ground
nokiasixteth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-14, 04:46 PM   #6
brogsie
Helper EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: mass
Posts: 51
Thanks: 26
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevehull View Post
I think you are thinking of polybutylene plumbing (history of water leaks at connections). To my knowledge, PEX has not had any large scale history of leaks that I am aware of.

Polybutylene was the rage for a while (1980's - mid 1990s), but a large recall and large class action claim (~ 1998) made it a tough sell.

PEX is clearly the way to go today. One manifold and all home runs from appliances back to manifold home.

Yet some regions still do not allow it. Boston for example, mandates copper plumbing and black iron sewer pipe. No PEX or PVC anywhere. Strong plumbing union . . .

Steve

That's not true. We have been using PEX and PVC in MA for years.
brogsie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-14, 06:07 PM   #7
nokiasixteth
Journeyman EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Earth
Posts: 348
Thanks: 43
Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevehull View Post
I think you are thinking of polybutylene plumbing (history of water leaks at connections). To my knowledge, PEX has not had any large scale history of leaks that I am aware of.

Polybutylene was the rage for a while (1980's - mid 1990s), but a large recall and large class action claim (~ 1998) made it a tough sell.

PEX is clearly the way to go today. One manifold and all home runs from appliances back to manifold home.

Yet some regions still do not allow it. Boston for example, mandates copper plumbing and black iron sewer pipe. No PEX or PVC anywhere. Strong plumbing union . . .

Steve
If some moron came down here and tried to tell me that i (Had) to use copper instead of what i wanted for my plumbing . He would leave with some copper or my size 13 steel toed boots kicked up his rump. Copper leaves a metalic taste to me. Pex is great stuff. I put some pex over at a buddies house . Easy to run. Been there for 5 years . Yet to have a leak.
nokiasixteth is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to nokiasixteth For This Useful Post:
buffalobillpatrick (09-10-14)
Old 03-04-14, 07:15 AM   #8
stevehull
Steve Hull
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: hilly, tree covered Arcadia, OK USA
Posts: 826
Thanks: 241
Thanked 165 Times in 123 Posts
Default

Guys, I was talking Boston - not ALL of Massachusetts . . . . My point was that PEX is superior, but not all municipalities approve PEX.

Boston being an example.


Steve
__________________
consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990
stevehull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-14, 10:46 PM   #9
philb
Apprentice EcoRenovator
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 155
Thanks: 58
Thanked 17 Times in 14 Posts
Default

Pex is the easiest plumbing for water I've used. No more water hammer. It can freeze numerous times without failure. Not too pricey as long as you stay with 3/4 inch or less. I use the crimp fittings and have yet to have any leaks.
philb is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to philb For This Useful Post:
buffalobillpatrick (09-10-14)
Old 03-05-14, 05:36 AM   #10
MN Renovator
Less usage=Cheaper bills
 
MN Renovator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 939
Thanks: 41
Thanked 116 Times in 90 Posts
Default

Where does the water expand to if two points in the pipe freeze and the water has no where to go? Does PEX produce a bulge and contract back to normal again?

MN Renovator is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Ad Management by RedTyger
Inactive Reminders By Icora Web Design