Information about PEX

[Mr T]

I am getting closer to starting to replumb my house. Highly considering PEX due to cost, lengh of runs and a very tough crawlspace to get around in.

What is everyone's opinion on bringing pex up to the fixtures (vs running copper up). In my research Ive seen pics and it looks like the shutoffs attach to the end of the tubing and just hang there otherwise.. Is this correct? Looks tacky and fragile in my opinion.

How bout pex in the garage? My well, water softener and heater are out there. Almost all the lines will be behind the appliances, would I still be better off with copper here?

In a manifold system, is there a recomended limit on how far the home runs from the manifold are?

Ive also read about compression/crimp fittings and a connection system that stretches the tubing over a fitting to prevent reduction in flow through the fitting. Are both of these systems still being used? One more recomended over the other?

Have the fitting tools shown up in tool rental stores yet?

[Mr T]

Answered one of my own questions (dont rush too hard to get to my others now:damnmate: )

My local Ace hardware now rents the crimpers. $15 a day per crimper. They had 4 of them on the shelf not even taken out of the boxes yet. One box was much larger so I'm thinking it could be a combo crimper. Zurn brand.

[CR500]

Just yesterday I saw a show that used a pex to copper pipe connection where the pipe came through the wall to connect to the valves. The pipe was pre-curved into 90 deg and had a flange for attaching to the wall. The pex connection was via a crimp ring as opposed to the stretch type.




What is everyone's opinion on bringing pex up to the fixtures (vs running copper up). In my research Ive seen pics and it looks like the shutoffs attach to the end of the tubing and just hang there otherwise.. Is this correct? Looks tacky and fragile in my opinion.

[mdshunk]

Yes, all PEX right up to the fixture does look crappy. It's done this way to save on costs. Doing PEX with copper stub outs or threaded drop ears for chrome nipples is the way it's done on the nicer jobs.

[Mr T]

Thats what I was thinking, where do you make the transisiton at? Just before it goes through the floor?

[mdshunk]

Thats what I was thinking, where do you make the transisiton at? Just before it goes through the floor?
Uh-huh. Or the wall; however you're doing it. Those transition fittings have a 90* bend or ears to attach them in a sturdy manner before they rise out of the floor or come through the wall. A good PEX install won't look like a PEX job when you're looking at the kitchen or bathroom fixtures.

[Mr T]

And not like the pics i posted over in horror stories? :puke: :shot:

[mdshunk]

And not like the pics i posted over in horror stories? :puke: :shot:
Well, I'm reasonably sure that those pics are legal... just not neat. I'm you were replumbing a rental, that would be an okay method. Just looks like crap. You surely wouldn't do that in your own home.

A word on PEX crimpers. Make darned sure that the crimper used matches the crimp rings. That is to say, use the crimper that the fitting manufacturer calls out, or use a crimper that says it's rated for the fittings you intend to use. There are subtle differences, and you should do a little due diligence.

[Mr T]

I agree, but those pictures shouldnt be on the web site that you buy the stuff at....
If I was a manufacturer or distributer and saw my products represented in that way, i'd probably be in jail right now. :marchmellow:

Project is probably gonna be a late winter project for me. Just advance planning and dreaming now.
:dancing2: :dancing2: :dancing2: :dancing2:

[homebild]

Others have stated rightly about the transition fittings.

Personally, I use the 'lop eared elbow' types with a chrome nipple for my PEX plumbing.

Can't beat the cost of polyethylene piping.

Just bought a 100' coil of 1" polyethylene water service pipe for a new home I am constructing. The cost was $40 per 100'.

If I had used 1" copper K flex, the cost would have been more than 10X higher at $438 per 100' coil plus tax.