Why is PEX plumbing bad?
Why is PEX plumbing bad? Potential chemical leaching is another downside of PEX piping. Due to its chemical composition, the PEX pipe material may leach toxic chemicals including bisphenol (BPA), MTBE, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), and others.
What is the average life expectancy of PEX pipe?
The average life span of PEX for plumbing purposes goes well over 50 years. For this reason, PEX plumbing has been used to replace copper plumbing. One of the main features of PEX is that it is light weight. It is able to withstand temperatures as high as 200 degrees F.
Are there hidden dangers with PEX plumbing?
While PEX comes with convincing reasons for choosing it over copper, it also comes with a hidden downside—rodents seem to find the plastic-based tubing irresistible. Keep reading to find out why this is a problem and what you should do to prevent damage to a PEX water-supply system.
How many PSI to blow out PEX?
Set the compressor air pressure regulator to a maximum of 80 psi for rigid PVC pipe systems, or 50 psi for flexible black polyethylene pipe. Then turn off the water supply and set the system timer to open just one zone. Next, open the manual drain valve at the end of that zone (if equipped).
When did PEX plumbing become popular?
1990sIn the United States, PEX for radiant floor heating applications originated in the early 1980s; PEX plumbing applications became prevalent in the mid- to late-1990s. Watts: PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene tubing, goes all the way back to the 30s, in Europe.
What is wrong with PEX plumbing?
PEX piping has a maximum bend radius, which can lead to stress on the pipe caused by improper installation. In addition, extreme bends and kinks place a very high local stress on the wall of the pipe, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation.
How long do PEX pipes last?
50 yearsPEX: Due to its flexibility and durability, PEX piping should last at least 50 years. PVC / CPVC: Under typical conditions, these pipes should last up to 100 years.
What are the disadvantages of PEX?
PEX Plumbing DisadvantagesPEX may leach BPA and other toxic chemicals. ... PEX is extremely sensitive to UV light. ... PEX can be damaged by chemicals and pests. ... PEX can't be installed in high heat areas. ... PEX is semi-permeable, which means liquid can enter the pipe.
Will PEX last 100 years?
Additionally, long-term testing programs on PEX have shown that it has a potential lifespan of more than 100 years. So, while copper systems may have to be re-piped every few years or decades due to corrosion and pinhole leaks, a PEX system can last 10 times longer — or more.
Do mice eat PEX tubing?
The Problem Mice and rats will chew through anything they can, including plastic, so PEX tubing is at just as much risk as the plastic-coated wiring in a car or an HVAC unit. While all rodent damage can be expensive, if rodents chew through a home's PEX water pipes, the result can be disastrous.
Does PEX leak over time?
PEX PIPING IS NOT Leak Resistant It's lack of required fittings and flexible nature allow for quicker installs than traditional rigid pipe systems. This seemingly quick and flexible installation does have its downfalls.
Is PEX safe for drinking water?
There are no health risks associated with drinking water from PEX pipes. A few types of PEX-pipe may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odour if the water remains in pipes over time.
Should I replace copper water lines with PEX?
Coupled with low production and shipping costs, the savings resulting from installing PEX instead of copper pipes can be significant. Better Energy Efficiency – PEX has a lower thermal conductivity rate than copper. As a result, PEX pipes can help keep hot water hotter for longer periods of time.
Do plumbers like PEX?
5 days agoAll this makes PEX an excellent piping material for hot and cold water systems, especially since it is flexible and well adapted for temperatures below freezing all the way up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. PEX is easy for plumbers to install and has fewer joints, bringing your costs down.
Is PEX safer than copper?
Copper Pipe Lifespan. PEX pipe is not only cheaper than copper but more durable too. PEX is immune to corrosion and mineral build-up, and it's not affected by electrolysis, which can cause small pinhole leaks in copper piping. Copper pipes can last anywhere from six months to the life of a building.
How long does PEX last vs copper?
Although copper piping takes significantly longer to install, it does provide a longer overall lifespan. Copper manufacturers typically offer a 50 year warranty in comparison to 25 years for PEX, but this of course may vary by supplier.
When was PEX pipe invented?
The new plastic, fashioned into flexible PEX pipe (also known as PEX tubing), arrived in the US in the 1980s , initially for radiant floor heating systems: The flexible tubing is embedded in a concrete slab and hot water pumped through to heat the slab and radiate heat to rest of the room. PEX pipe remains popular for radiant floor heating.
What is PEX pipe?
Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), a type of flexible plastic, is currently replacing traditional copper and galvanized steel as water supply lines in both new construction and remodeling projects. You’ve probably seen rolls of blue and red PEX pipe in the plumbing aisle of your local home improvement store, but might not know that this colorful tubing now makes it possible for enthusiastic DIYers to replace their own leaky water lines instead of calling a pro. Read on to learn more about PEX—what it is, where it can be used, and all the pros and cons of this popular plumbing material.
What type of fittings are used for PEX?
Hundreds of types of fittings, usually brass, are available for connecting PEX to existing copper or steel pipes, and for making connections to fixtures. Fittings are also available for connecting pipes of different sizes. The following five methods are used for making the connections watertight. Photo: amazon.com.
What is PEX tubing?
Choose the tubing best suited to your needs: PEX-A is manufactured using peroxide. This type of PEX is the most flexible of the three types and is suitable for use in all home water-supply plumbing needs.
What color is PEX?
Water flows silently through PEX, eliminating the “water hammer” noise associated with metal piping. Color-coding (red and blue) make it simple to distinguish hot and cold supply lines. PEX can be connected to existing metal supply lines with the correct fittings.
What is the advantage of PEX pipe?
PEX has a distinct advantage over these materials because of its flexibility, which allows one end of PEX pipe to connect to a PEX manifold (the main water control system) and then wind through walls and floors—uninterrupted—all the way to an individual fixture.
What type of PEX pipe is used for hot water?
Blue PEX pipe carries cold water. White PEX pipe can be used for either hot or cold water. Gray PEX pipe, like white, can be used for either hot or cold water (although not all DIY centers carry gray).
When was PEX tubing invented?
Fact: PEX Tubing was developed and first used in Europe in the 1960’s. This product entered US market 30 years ago and has been growing in popularity ever since. During these years, tubing has been installed in millions of houses, commercial and industrial buildings, and has been sufficiently tested by many years of continuous use. ...
How long does PEX tubing last?
Fact: The life span of PEX tubing can vary based on frequency of use, water quality and water temperature and has an average life expectancy of 40-50 years.
Is PEX tubing allowed everywhere?
Myth: PEX Tubing is not approved for use everywhere. Fact: In 2010, California became the last state to approve the use of PEX tubing. Today, PEX tubing is allowed to be installed within all 50 states.
Is PEX tubing reliable?
Myth: PEX Tubing is not reliable. Fact: PEX has been extensively used in Europe and USA, giving it a 50 year track record of strong performance and reliability. Rapid growth of PEX installations in the US over the past 2 decades serves as an indicator that the product is becoming widely accepted by home owners and contractors alike.
Is PEX tubing expensive?
Myth : PEX tubing is expensive. Fact: With today’s high copper prices, the cost of PEX tubing amounts to less than 10% of the cost of copper. Using PEX tubing comes out to be less expensive even after taking into consideration the fact that more tubing is needed when laying a radiant heating floor pattern.
Is PEX tubing hard to install?
Myth: PEX Tubing is hard to install. Fact: In comparison to installing other pipe materials, such as copper, installation of PEX does not require sweat connections and can often be installed without hiring a professional plumber or HVAC technician.
When were PEX pipes invented?
PEX pipes are synthetic, flexible pipes that have been gaining popularity recently. Invented in the late 1960s by Thomas Engle, a German scientist, they were first used in the United States during the 1980s in radiant floor heating systems. Eventually, they became a part of residential plumbing.
What is PEX pipe?
Many plumbing companies use PEX pipes to replace galvanized steel and copper pipes, specifically in remodeling and new construction projects. These pipes are made from cross-linked polyethylene, a flexible type of plastic that offers many advantages.
How To Install PEX Pipes?
Now that you know what they are, it’s time to learn how to install PEX pipes.
How to tighten PEX pipe?
Start by sliding a crimp ring over the end of PEX pipes. Position the crimp rings at least 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch from the end of the pipes. Tighten them with the crimping tool.
Why are PEX pipes more vulnerable to damage?
Permeability – PEX pipes are more vulnerable to damage due to their permeability, unlike copper and galvanized steel pipes. For instance, a rodent can easily chew through them.
How many inches of support for horizontal water pipes?
The last thing to do is to run the pipes from the water source to the fixtures. Provide support every 32 inches for horizontal pipes.
How long is a water pipe?
They are available in a wide variety of lengths, starting from 10 feet up to 500. There are also different diameters to choose from, ranging from 3/8 inch to one. They come in different colors that make it easier for plumbers to identify the type of water they carry and transport.
What is PEX pipe made of?
Almost all PEX used for pipe and tubing is made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). PEX contains cross-linked bonds in the polymer structure, changing the thermoplastic to a thermoset. Cross-linking is accomplished during or after the extrusion of the tubing.
Why are PEX pipes labeled?
All PEX pipe is manufactured with its design specifications listed directly on the pipe. These specifications are listed to explain the pipe's many standards as well as giving specific detailing about the manufacturer. The reason that all these specifications are given, are so that the installer is aware if the product is meeting standards for the necessary local codes. The labeling ensures the user that the tubing is up to all the standards listed.
What is XLPE insulation?
It is the most common polymeric insulation material. The acronym XLPE is commonly used to denote cross-linked polyethylene insulation. XLPE automotive duct. Automotive ducts and housings: PEX also referred to as XLPE is widely used in the aftermarket automotive industry for cold air intake systems and filter housings.
What is PEX used for?
It is used predominantly in building services pipework systems, hydronic radiant heating and cooling systems, domestic water piping, and insulation for high tension (high voltage) electrical cables. It is also used for natural gas and offshore oil applications, chemical transportation, and transportation of sewage and slurries. PEX is an alternative to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) or copper tubing for use as residential water pipes.
What is XLPE cable?
Almost all cross-linkable polyethylene compounds (XLPE) for wire and cable applications are based on LDPE . XLPE-insulated cables have a rated maximum conductor temperature of 90 °C and an emergency rating up to 140 °C, depending on the standard used. They have a conductor short-circuit rating of 250 °C. XLPE has excellent dielectric properties, making it useful for medium voltage—1 to 69 kV AC, and high-voltage cables —up to 380 kV AC-voltage, and several hundred kV DC.
What is PE X thermoset?
This crosslinked polyethylene (PE-X) is chemically seen a thermoset, it shows above the melting point rubber-elastic behavior and can not be processed in the melt anymore.
How is PEX A made?
PEX-A is produced by the peroxide (Engel) method. This method performs "hot" cross-linking, above the crystal melting point. However, the process takes slightly longer than the other two methods as the polymer has to be kept at high temperature and pressure for long periods during the extrusion process. The cross-linked bonds are between carbon atoms.
What is PEX Piping?
PEX piping (shorthand for cross-linked polyethylene) costs less than half the price of copper and installs much faster. And since it’s flexible, PEX makes remodeling jobs easier. PEX has a strong “memory;” it always wants to spring back to its original shape. So working with a coil of PEX is like wrestling with a giant Slinky. For most jobs, you’re better off buying 10-ft. “sticks” instead. You may have to pay a few cents more per foot and install a coupler or two, but you’ll avoid frustration and kinks. Even plumbers who run miles of PEX every year often buy sticks than coils.
How Do I Connect PEX to my Plumbing Fixtures?
If the connection will be visible, like under a wall-hung sink, and you would prefer the look of a copper tube coming out of the wall, use a copper stub-out (left). You can connect a compression-type shutoff valve to the one-half inch copper stub-out and then connect your fixture. In areas that are concealed, like under a kitchen sink or vanity cabinet, you can eliminate a joint by running PEX supply directly to the shutoff valve. Use a drop-ear bend support to hold the tubing in a tight bend (right). There are several types of shutoff valves that connect directly to PEX.
What About PEX vs. CPVC?
A PEX supply and CPVC cost about the same. But there are a few reasons why PEX may be a better choice. First, a PEX doesn’t require glue, which means you don’t have to work in well-ventilated spaces or wear a respirator. PEX is less likely than CPVC to burst if it freezes. Also, since PEX is more flexible and available in long lengths, it can work better for ‘fishing’ through walls in remodeling situations.
How Do I Splice PEX Fittings Into My Existing Pipe?
SharkBite is one common brand of stab-in fitting. This method doesn’t require soldering, which can be a big time-saver. But check with your plumbing inspector if you’re planning to bury this connection in a wall or ceiling. Some areas don’t allow stab-in fittings to be concealed. Another method is to solder in a tee and a PEX supply adapter. Then slip the PEX supply tubing over the adapter and attach it with your chosen connection method (right). You can also use a stab-in tee to connect PEX fittings supply to CPVC. Read the label to find the compatible fitting.
Is PEX Reliable?
PEX has been used for decades in other countries, where there are thousands of homes with 30-year-old, leak-free PEX. Most of the problems with PEX systems, in the United States and elsewhere, were due to sloppy installation or faulty fittings rather than the tubing itself.
What About Expansion?
PEX supply expands and contracts more than copper, so don’t stretch it tight. Let it droop a little between fasteners. On long runs, it’s a good idea to install a loop as shown to allow for contraction. Another advantage of the loop is that if you mess up and need a little extra tubing, you can steal it from the loop. Also, since PEX moves as it expands and contracts, make sure to drill oversize holes through studs or joists so it can slide easily. And don’t use metal straps to attach it. Use plastic straps instead.
Will PEX Break or Split if it Freezes?
Probably not. Manufacturers are reluctant to say so, but reports from the field suggest PEX can withstand freezing. You should still protect the tubing from freezing. But since it can expand and contract, it’s less likely to break than rigid piping.
When was PEX piping invented?
PEX piping was invented in the 1950s and refined during the 1960s for use in for radiant floor heating systems. While PEX is generally considered a safe product and accepted by building codes, the materials and components that comprise the system have several vulnerabilities, and several defective fittings and systems produced by various ...
What is PEX pipe?
Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX or XLPE) is a flexible plastic (polymer) tubing pipe primarily used in both hot and cold-water distribution plumbing systems. During the past two decades in the United States, PEX has also become a common alternative to copper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) for use as potable (drinkable) cold and hot water system piping.
What is the color of PEX piping?
PEX-related lawsuits have involved both the piping itself and the fitting utilized between piping sections. The Kitec® plumbing system manufactured by PEX Inc. and IPEX USA, LLC have been subject to lawsuits. Kitec® piping is typically colored blue for cold water and orange for hot water. Brass pipe fittings used in PEX systems, including those by Uponor, Wirsbo, and Aquapex have been subject to lawsuits due to premature deterioration and leakage.
How long does it take for a PEX pipe to break down?
Most PEX manufacturers allow no more than 60 days of sunlight exposure for normal PEX piping and no more than six months for PEX piping with ultraviolet stabilizers added during manufacturing. Studies have shown a dramatic reduction of chlorine resistance after even one week of direct sun exposure. PEX should not be used in exterior settings or in locations exposed to sunlight.
Why does PEX piping get damaged?
There have been instances of damaged PEX piping following the attempt to exterminate rodents. Rodent poison typically causes dehydration, and the sound of water moving through the piping has been known to cause rodents to chew through the PEX to access the water.
What to do if you suspect defective PEX fittings?
If you suspect defective PEX or fittings at your property, an experienced consultant should be retained to determine the condition and extent of the deficiencies.
Does PEX piping affect water quality?
While PEX has passed many water quality tests, there have been studies showing that various brands of PEX piping affect water quality and that it may contain enough material contaminants to affect the smell and taste of water. In order to address concerns about PEX’s impact on water quality, the State of California requires contractors ...
How much does PEX save?
Installing PEX can save as much as 60 percent on project costs, and, unlike copper, PEX tubing is flexible and can be fished through existing wall spaces, reducing the scope of a retrofit project.
What are the signs of a PEX water line?
For homeowners who have PEX water-supply lines, signs of rodents, such as droppings, chewed paper or wood, or other shredded items, signal a need to take action before damage to the water supply system can occur.
Can mice chew PEX?
Mice and rats will chew through anything they can, including plastic, so PEX tubing is at just as much risk as the plastic-coated wiring in a car or an HVAC unit. While all rodent damage can be expensive, if rodents chew through a home’s PEX water pipes, the result can be disastrous.
Is PEX tubing a water supply?
For both new construction and remodeling projects, installing a cross-linked polyethylene ( PEX) water-supply system is attractive to builders and homeowners a like. Deciding factors for choosing between the two most common water-supply materials, PEX and copper, include ease of installation and cost. Installing PEX can save as much as 60 percent on project costs, and, unlike copper, PEX tubing is flexible and can be fished through existing wall spaces, reducing the scope of a retrofit project.
Can rodents chew through PEX?
While pest experts don’t know whether rodents chew through PEX to get to the water inside or simply because it’s there, PEX and rodents can be a dangerous combination. Local building codes in some communities may not permit the installation of PEX if rodent infestations are common.
