PEX Plumbing

pioneergal · October 11, 2006, 06:46:21 PM

What are the pros and cons of this material used for plumbing a home?

#1 QUESTION is it rodent proof?

#2 How well does it survive a freeze?

bartholomew · October 11, 2006, 10:42:41 PM

PEX is pretty easy to install. There are way fewer fittings to fuss with because you usually run separate lines from a central supply manifold to each fixture, so no tees and of course no elbows. Since all your connections are either at the manifold or at the fixture, you don't have to worry about joints leaking inside your walls. Of course you could still put a nail through a pipe but that can happen with copper too.

I'm sure a rat could chew through PEX in no time. But they're not likely to do that unless they're trying to enlarge an opening that the pipe is passing through. So either make sure the opening is large enough that a rat can pass through beside the pipe or protect the pipe where it passes through the opening, maybe with a metal sleeve.

Supposedly PEX can survive several freezes but it isn't indestructable, so keep it in the heated space. The pipe should have enough slope and be adequately supported (no sags) so you can drain it completely if you ever had to leave the house unoccupied over winter.

October 12, 2006, 12:14:03 AM

You can pull it through the studs similar to installing romex as long as you are careful around corners etc. If you should kink it - -no worries mate, as Jonesy might say--- just get out the heat gun - carefully warm it until it starts to turn clear - the kink will magically dissapear and it will be good as new as it once again remembers its size and shape.

Amanda_931 · October 12, 2006, 07:45:46 PM

Sounds wonderful.

The -mems (daddy and mommy) sounded pretty happy with their plumbing job, which was pex or something very like it.

Daddymem · October 13, 2006, 05:05:57 AM

With copper prices as they are, PEX will save you thousands on a new house install. We have all pex supply lines with copper manifold and at the fixtures.

October 13, 2006, 10:52:14 AM

I saw this system used in an apartment complex, Daddymem. Looks like a great way to go. Yours has shutoffs for each section doesn't it? I have a small Uponor (Wirsbo) manifold which has no shutoffs. The color coded tubes are also great.

Daddymem · October 13, 2006, 06:25:00 PM

QuoteI saw this system used in an apartment complex, Daddymem. Looks like a great way to go. Yours has shutoffs for each section doesn't it? I have a small Uponor (Wirsbo) manifold which has no shutoffs. The color coded tubes are also great.

Every fixture has a shutoff on the manifold, two if the fixture has both hot and cold water.

Okie_Bob · October 15, 2006, 09:25:25 AM

So, where do I buy it and what tools do I need? Can you buy the manifolds in different sizes or do they
expand in some way as needed? Never seen one so am curious as I am about ready to start running pluming lines.

Okie Bob

slow2run · October 15, 2006, 10:03:14 AM

low's should have Pex plumbing,and all needed info.

I to think it's best.

glenn kangiser · October 15, 2006, 12:12:46 PM

Uponor (Wirsbo) requires you to have a license and take a little test -- your local supplier may make an exception - I don't know , but it is usually from a commercial plumbing supply house. I have seen other types of pex with manual attached fittings such as compression at Home Depot etc. but not with the expansion tool that is so cool and fast.