I saw a thread where they are talking about using Pex in place of copper. Just looking for some guidance for using pex and what tools and fittings do you like?
One thing to remember is pex is perfectly smooth inside copper is not. So their will be less resistance in pexWhen I was doing plumbing in my house a few years ago, I thought of using pex but the amount of work was so small, it was cheaper to keep going with copper.
One thing I did notice, is some of the pex sizes had smaller inside diameter than the copper pipe of the same size. Something to consider if that matters to you.
...or those old enough to have been thru a few of these fads. Remember butylene piping? PVC supply side piping? In a world where building materials change ever decade, it’s amazing how long copper has held on, while many newer systems and come, failed, and gone. I hope PEX is the (next) final answer, but suspect it’s every bit as likely we’ll be studying newly-discovered cancers created by its wide deployment in DHW systems, 20 years from now.Copper sucks, rots, is an expensive relic for people with more money than sense.
I insist on BPA-free pex. ;-)...or those old enough to have been thru a few of these fads. Remember butylene piping? PVC supply side piping? In a world where building materials change ever decade, it’s amazing how long copper has held on, while many newer systems and come, failed, and gone. I hope PEX is the (next) final answer, but suspect it’s every bit as likely we’ll be studying newly-discovered cancers created by its wide deployment in DHW systems, 20 years from now.
I really don't have a strong feeling, one way or the other. I grew up sweating copper pipes, my grandfather and great-grandfather owned and ran a plumbing business, and my dad was forever renovating old buildings. So, I'm quick and comfortable with copper, and I've never had any of the issues I've seen from folks who live in areas with acid water and improper electrical grounding.I insist on BPA-free pex. ;-)
I think we should worry way more about those phenols in your whiskey and beer than the water.
I put all my drinking water at home through a carbon filter, and I've been suffering from copper pipes my whole life. I'm a late adopter generally, but I'm willing to take a shot at this fad.
Plus I can't solder.
Pex has been used for a long time in Europe with no problems before it came here. I just redid our whole house by myself in a weekend. No way I could do that with copper. And now I have a manifold which reduces pressure drop when using more than one fixture...or those old enough to have been thru a few of these fads. Remember butylene piping? PVC supply side piping? In a world where building materials change ever decade, it’s amazing how long copper has held on, while many newer systems and come, failed, and gone. I hope PEX is the (next) final answer, but suspect it’s every bit as likely we’ll be studying newly-discovered cancers created by its wide deployment in DHW systems, 20 years from now.
Add n and rework.Are you plumbing a new home, add-on, or rework? I only work in copper, so no help either way, but this will better shape the answers you get from others.
Actually, this would be a huge advantage for the DIY'er. The ability to temporarily stitch the system together so the family can get showers in the middle of a weekend-long re-plumbing job, should not be under-rated.I got a removal tool, as there were a few times when I put on temporary fittings, etc.
Totally agree, and an advantage I've taken numerous times, sometimes with comedic results.Actually, this would be a huge advantage for the DIY'er. The ability to temporarily stitch the system together so the family can get showers in the middle of a weekend-long re-plumbing job, should not be under-rated.
Totally agree, and an advantage I've taken numerous times, sometimes with comedic results.
On a recent weekend I found out how much water can flow out of a 1/2" PEX at 80 PSI after mistakenly closing the wrong supply circuit. Me, now soaking wet on a ladder trying to stem the flow while yelling for my wife before finally deciding to abandon the leak and go and shut off the main.
The heat issue that Peakbagger mentions reminds me of how much time I used to spend waiting for a line to drain before I could heat it for soldering. I was never crazy about the whole plugging the pipe with white bread trick. Who eats white bread anymore anyway?
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