Receiving Helpdesk

can you bury pex in concrete

by Prof. Kelley Larkin Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

The answer is yes; PEX pipe can be buried in concrete. You can bury PEX pipe in your house’s concrete to supply water if you want because these pipes are designed for water plumbing. However, because the pipe is flexible, it is more likely to propagate during water supply. As a result, friction with the concrete can cause the pipe to rupture.

Yes, PEX pipe can be installed under a concrete slab. Since PEX pipe is supplied in coils, installation can be completed in one continuous length without the need for extra fittings. PEX pipe can also be encased within a slab, which is commonly used for radiant floor heating.

Full Answer

Can You Bury PEX pipe in concrete to supply water?

You can bury PEX pipe in your house’s concrete to supply water if you want because these pipes are designed for water plumbing. However, because the pipe is flexible, it is more likely to propagate during water supply. As a result, friction with the concrete can cause the pipe to rupture.

Can you put PEX on top of a slab?

The only remedy for a deep slab is to install reinforcement and position PEX tubing on top, closer to the surface. Thin slabs. Thin slabs are generally poured over a subfloor, which can be plywood or another slab. Adequate minimal thickness of a thin slab is considered to be 2", not including insulation.

How long does PEX pipe last under concrete?

The average lifespan of a PEX pipe under concrete is considered to be up to 50 years. It is why most plumbers prefer to use PEX pipe instead of metal pipe. It is very easy to use as it is very light in weight. You can bend it in any way for the flexibility of the PEX pipe.

What kind of insulation do you put under PEX slabs?

Non-insulated slabs may account for as much as 70% of energy waste. Use adequate insulation both underneath the slab and at the perimeter/wall. 2" XPS foamboard is a popular choice for thick slabs (above and below grade) and is the most commonly recommended insulation for slabs with PEX radiant heating systems.

Can PEX fittings be buried in concrete?

Use steel PEX bend supports anywhere where tubing makes a 90-degree turn. Never use PEX fittings of any kind (brass or poly) in a concrete slab unless it is necessary for a leak repair.

How long does PEX tubing last in concrete?

Generally, PEX pipes last for 25 to 40 years before they need to be replaced.

Can PEX pipe be buried underground?

PEX tubing is approved for direct burial outdoors, a practice most often necessary when running a water supply line to a house. PEX, since it can expand, resists freezing more effectively than rigid pipe, but PEX can still burst if water freezes in a line.

Do you have to sleeve PEX through concrete?

Sleeve It. When running any tubing (PEX, ABS, PVC) through concrete you need to de-couple it, Even 6mil plastic suffices, but sill guard is better. A tubing sleeve (e.g. 1.5in ABS) like you propose through the wall, is good too.

How do you install PEX on concrete?

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Is PEX or PVC better for underground?

When a connection to copper or other metal pipes is required, PEX works better than PVC because crosslinked polyethylene won't corrode. - Price. When you compare the material costs of PEX vs PVC, PEX comes out more expensive. (However, balance this factor against the lower labor cost to install PEX.)

How long will PEX last underground?

PEX has a life expectancy of 40-50 years, made possible by its durable and non-corrosive materials. Burial also reduces sun exposure, which would otherwise degrade the piping. Additionally, PEX tubing materials allow for expansion, making them resistant to freezing/cracking underground.

Can SharkBite PEX be used underground?

It's time to set the record straight: Yes, SharkBite brass push fittings can be used underground.

What kind of pipe do you use for buried water lines?

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) pipes are a considered the best choice for underground water lines. What makes this type of piping so great? HDPE pipes are non-toxic, tasteless, and considered a green building material. The pipes are designed to be high crack- and corrosion-resistant.

Can PEX be in contact with concrete?

Yes, PEX pipe can be installed under a concrete slab. Since PEX pipe is supplied in coils, installation can be completed in one continuous length without the need for extra fittings. PEX pipe can also be encased within a slab, which is commonly used for radiant floor heating.

Can SharkBite fittings be used in concrete?

SharkBite fittings in concrete Do not allow joints within the slab. Use a continuous length of SharkBite PEX Pipe within the slab and be sure to check for leaks before pouring concrete.

How long can you leave a PEX slab exposed to sunlight?

Do not leave PEX exposed to sunlight for too long (5-7 days at most). While different PEX manufacturers may have 30-60 day exposure limit and in some cases even more (UV-stabilized PEX), a safer alternative is to cover PEX with poly tarp or other non-abrasive covering until the slab is poured.

How to install a PEX coil?

1. Start installing PEX. Determine the circuit (loop) to install first and select appropriate PEX coil length from your list of materials. You may connect PEX to or near the manifold, but always leave 5-10ft spare in case manifold location will shift (and often it will).

Why should I place tubing on top of reinforcement?

Unless special design considerations require otherwise, the tubing should always be positioned on top of the reinforcement, in order to stay closer to the surface of the slab. If using welded wire mesh, you may want opt for sheets rather than rolls whenever possible.

What is the thickness of a concrete slab?

Types of concrete slabs with radiant floor heating. Thick slabs. Thick slabs are concrete slabs with an overall thickness of 4-6" or greater and can be either grade level (slab on grade) or below grade (i.e. basement foundations). All thick slabs can be categorized into:

Can you put PEX tubing in concrete?

Remember, since you will only have 1 chance to pour the concrete slab, you will only have 1 chance to put the PEX tubing in it. So even if there are no existing plans for the radiant floor heating or a snow melting system, installing PEX tubing in it may turn out to be a good decision.

How thick should a concrete base be?

Use a vapor barrier. 6 mil thick is an absolute minimum, with 10-15 mil recommended depending on the type and abrasiveness of material used for the base (thinner for river rock and thicker for crushed stone). Without a vapor barrier, concrete will absorb moisture like a sponge.

Can you salt a concrete slab?

Unless using a salt-resistant concrete sealer, do not salt the slab during the first winter – use sand instead. Avoid costly slab and PEX tubing repairs. Confirm in advance that any chemical additives used in the concrete mix will not react with PEX tubing. Do not step on PEX tubing.

Can PEX Be Buried and Used Outside?

Working with these installations is not at all simple, but it requires knowledge and skill that will ensure quality and long-lasting pipe installation. PEX tubing is produced so that it can withstand high pressure and extreme weather conditions, i.e. high or low temperatures.

What Type of Pipe to Install in Your Household?

For all those who understand the business, the dilemma of “PEX A or B for underground” does not exist because they know the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.

The Choice is Yours!

In the phase of planning the best plumbing system for your household, careful consideration is needed. Since you need an excellent economical choice for the plumbing system, PEX tubing can be the right solution, in it`s various forms. It’s easy to handle and manageable.

Can You Bury PEX Pipe in the Ground?

PEX tubing has many uses. It is mainly used for residential water lines but also as transport for heating and cooling components, chemicals, and even sewage. PEX can be used in most instances where you’d use pipes made of copper, CPVC, or PVC.

What Type of PEX Is Best for Underground Use?

PEX – cross-linked polyethylene (sometimes called XLPE) – comprises ethylene molecule chains, or polymers. These non-connecting polymers create the flexibility of PEX in two density types – high (HDPE) or low (LDPE). HDPE has tighter packed polymers, giving it more impact resistance than LDPE.

How Deep to Bury PEX Water Line?

PEX pipes and all underground piping should be buried at least 12” to 18” below the frost line to protect the pipes from freezing. The frost line refers to the furthest depth underground groundwater begins to freeze, also called the frost depth. In colder zones, the frost line can be three to four feet down.

Can PEX Be Used Outside?

Although PEX pipe is excellent for underground use, it’s not rated for outdoor use unless properly protected. For example, PEX piping should not run along the ground without wrapping it or burying it. PEX piping used outdoors must have an insulation wrap to protect the tube from freezing.

Do PEX Pipes Burst or Freeze?

The flexibility of PEX tubing means that the pipes experience expansion if water freezes in the lines. Once the water thaws, the tube will contract back to its original shape. This ability makes PEX pipe freeze-damage resistant. However, that’s not the same thing as freeze-proof.

Is PEX or PVC Better for Underground?

PEX and PVC are both types of plastic. PVC though, is a hard rigid pipe (think of the plumbing under your sink) with no flexibility, while PEX is extremely flexible (except for PEX-C). PVC (and CPVC) was around years before PEX, making it a more common choice. Many experts will still recommend PVC over PEX.

Can PEX Be Buried in Concrete?

PEX is an HDPE (high-density polyethylene) material which makes it strong enough to handle going inside concrete. This tolerance and PEX tubing’s flexibility make it common for radiant heating embedded in concrete floors.

Can I Bury The PEX Pipe Underground?

PEX pipe is a plastic piping flexible and durable. One can use it for hot or cold water, gas, or airflow.

What Type Of PEX Can You Bury?

PEX A ( Amazon Link) and PEX B boast burying suitability.But the buried PEX’s design is different from those for the exposed pipe.

Can PEX Be Directly Buried?

Yes. PEX boasts direct burial outdoors and direct burial indoors and backfill.

Can You Bury Apollo PEX?

Yes. In good soil conditions, it’s possible to bury Apollo PEX tubing. The thickness of the wall helps protect against physical damage and corrosion from chemicals such as salts.

Do PEX Pipes Burst When Frozen?

Yes. They have been well known to explode when frozen. PEX is polyethylene plastic, and that’s a very heat-resistant material.

Can I Use PEX For The Main Water Line?

Yes. You can use PEX pipe in the main water line, providing it is correctly installed.

Can Mice Chew Through PEX Pipe?

Yes. Mice can chew through PEX pipe and any other material that they can chew through. It’s unknown why some materials favor others.

Can a PEX crimp be used in concrete?

Insert fittings can be installed behind walls, but cannot be buried in concrete. PEX and PB fittings and crimp rings are not interchangeable. Click to see full answer.

Can PEX tubing be buried?

PEX and PB fittings and crimp rings are not interchangeable. Click to see full answer. In respect to this, can PEX fittings be buried? PEX tubing is approved for direct burial outdoors, a practice most often necessary when running a water supply line to a house.

Can PEX pipe burst?

PEX, since it can expand, resists freezing more effectively than rigid pipe, but PEX can still burst if water freezes in a line. Likewise, are PEX crimp rings reliable? PEX crimp and PEX clamp connections use the same fittings, normally referred to as “crimp” or “barbed” PEX fittings.

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