PEX fittings that allow you to run PEX right to the fixture. No stop valves or small supply lines needed. These would work well for manifold systems.
http://www.cashacme.com/prod_sharkbite_pex_swivel.php
im confused, wouldnt you want a shutoff on all supply lines at the ficture?
If you use a manifold that has a valve for each branch they are not needed at the fixture.
I do wonder about how easy it may be to make some of the connections to the fixtures though. PEX is flexible but in that it is not rigid like PVC but it does not turn small radii corners. Getting alignment might be a slight issue in some cases?
It would save money tho' and that could be important at times, especially to contractors doing large volume.
im currently building a new house, and the whole house is ran using PEX(builders option), however they said they dont have a manifold in the basement. Does this make sense? How woould you hook up 10ish water lines in the basement without a manifold.
Also they installed some sort of hot water pump that gives you instant hot water on the second floor, never heard of this before, but sounds need.
Sorry plumbing is my weak point
With no manifold it would likely be run in a series pattern, one fixture to another. Maybe they made a few branches with tees? Sometimes a larger size will be used at the beginning of a series run, then change down further along.
The pump sounds like a hot water recirculating pump. There are different makes on the market. Some run on and off all day to maintain water temp in the hot line and some run on a timer and at least one places a demand switch near a point of use. These eliminate the need to run cold water down the drain until hot comes. Nice for long plumbing runs. They should have run insulation on the hot lines at a minimum. We have such a system.
I think when using these fittings aligning where the PEX exits the wall or comes through the floor might be more critical than when using stop valves. That way the PEX doesn't have to bend at funny angles, putting stress on the fixture connection. I will probably use these on my project next spring. Too bad they don't have the SharkBite connection though :(
I used PEX elbows with valves to connect my sinks...
Frank,
Are these what you used? http://www.pexsupply.com/Watts-H160500-1-2-PEX-Angle-Stop-1-4-Turn-3769000-p
or just a normal pex elbow with a ball valve?
My plumber who re-piped our home, used these stub els at each sink. They are mounted to the studding in the walls with copper straps. After the air pressure test he cut the closed end off and soldered right angle quarter turn shut offs to each. I like the solid feel of the mount compared to having the valves on flexy tubing. Probably just me though.
http://www.pexsupply.com/HydroPEX-H180500-1-2-PEX-x-1-2-Copper-3-1-2-x-8-Copper-Stub-Ell-3768000-p (http://www.pexsupply.com/HydroPEX-H180500-1-2-PEX-x-1-2-Copper-3-1-2-x-8-Copper-Stub-Ell-3768000-p)
They makes these chrome sleeves to dress the pex up: http://www.pexsupply.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F5600500-Chrome-Finishing-Sleeve-for-1-2-PEX-11-16-OD-4273000-p
and these brackets to help hold the pex: http://www.pexsupply.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F5200500-1-2-Plastic-Drop-Ear-Bend-Support-4271000-p
Most of the pro-plumbers I know do their stub outs as you describe Don. Though I've noticed a trend toward the compression stops versus the solder style.
I'm looking for a simpler, hopefully less expensive method for my building. Planning on using the Viega Manablock manifold system, so no fixture stops needed. I'm curious if anyone has used the fixture fittings I originally posted about?
Quote from: Shawn B on October 28, 2010, 09:48:29 AM
Frank,
Are these what you used? http://www.pexsupply.com/Watts-H160500-1-2-PEX-Angle-Stop-1-4-Turn-3769000-p
or just a normal pex elbow with a ball valve?
Yup! They looked like that. I have pex poking out the wall under the cabinets, and they terminate in those valves.