PEX Tubing

[T-ProGuy]

Finishing off my basement and putting in a new bathroom. I have ssen new homes with the PEX plastic water lines. Have any of you worked with it before? Is it easy to handle? (I would have to imagine it is faster and easier to install than copper.) The house has copper running to all other fixtures...can PEX be easily and safely attached to the existing copper lines?

Thanks!

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I have used PEX on multiple occasions and really like it. I use the WIRSBO system and the installation tool is spendy...about $150 for the manual expander and then about $50 for each head (1/2", 3/4" etc). WIRSBO expands the tubing around the fitting and then it shrinks back down to seal. Other companies use crimp rings around the outside of the tube and fitting. I just like WIRSBO's system as it's been used in radiant floors for a long time.

As far as attaching to existing copper it's real simple as they have fittings that you sweat to the copper and then attach the PEX to the other end. Google PEX and you find many online retailers and also information.

[setterguy]

google shark bite fittings.

[sparcebag]

Super easy,Long lasting Great stuff! Menards deals in PEX and the tools,I've also used wirsbo,same material just different installation fittings and tools!

[Mr. Nailz]

Like said by others, very easy to work with. I've used both types in my house and would never use copper again. This is much easier. Another good thing is that it's not supposed to burst if it freezes.

[Shack]

Come on guys. Copper is fun and looks more cooler when done. At least when done by your self. When I get into a copper grove, it goes by fast. I found PEX cost's more and I was always worried it would wear or chaff after 20-30 years when houses flexes. I guess copper in the right application could wear also. I have always been a copper man. The only plastic tubing I got is for ice maker.

[Shack]

Does PEX or Wirsbo sweat when running cold water in a hot or humid area. I now 1 inch polly sure does and copper as well. I think they would. This is something to think about when running lines above sheet rock. Stains take awhile to show them selves and it sucks when they do. Were I tapped in for my fridge line leaked once every couple of months. I thought I had it fixed when I put my ceiling in, but did not have a couple months to wait to find out. I put on old cake pan right under fitting area. It would never leak enough to fill that. If it does, I deserve it. I wrapped lines and insulated them. Only time will tell if they sweat.

[JohnMickish]

Has anybody checked to see that all the cities in MN allow PEX in houses? It would sure suck to try and sell your house down the road and find out that it dosen't meet the local building codes and have to rip it all out and replace it.

[sparcebag]

Yes it has been accepted for code.SHACKBACK Thats what that black tube insulation is for not freezing or keeping hot it helps but the main reason is pipes sweating and bleeding through.

[T-ProGuy]

Thanks for the info guys...I am definitely going to look into it a bit more. The only part that bugs me is the cost of the crimping tool. If there are places that rent the tool, that might be enough to seal the deal for me.

[bottomdweller]

I agree with shackbash, copper is cooler. More fun turning off the torch and looking at your fine soldering job. I guess years of welding and sucking in too many toxins makes a guy this way.

[JohnMickish]

I know it's been accepted by the state plumbing board. I don't know about how plumbing inspections work but on the electrical side we have city and county codes that superceed the National/State codes. So what's legal in one part of the state dosen't always mean it's legal in another part of the state. Does the plumbing side work this way as well?

[Shack]

I love it when you heat a joint and solder sucks right up in. The coolest is when you have the power to shut down water in entire house and restart to flow when done. Now thats power. Your familey is at your knee's. Arrrr! Arrrr!

Arrrrr!! Arrrruoooo!

[Shack]

Not much, but pure art to me. This feeds my garage and mud room bathroom. Had to jog the hot water feed pipe a little. It works great though!

[sparcebag]

Shackbash stick a couple rats in there see if they get lost.

[LundExplorer]

That looks like a screen saver I used to have!

If I'd have done that I would have had 14 leaks to fix!

[Shack]

Hey T-pro guy,

Note what my builder did for heat duct in far back ground.

That is a load wall for mud room. Trusses run away from this board. Also note the vent pipe in middle picture. Not much help. My house is almost five years old now and floor has not sagged. It passed final inspection from Shurbern Co.. I think you would call it a end cap.

For you wise guys, ya it is a little over kill. It all goes to were I want it and has not leaked in 6 months. Garage is plastic cover wall and mud room is back side of sheet rock wall. My laundry is in my mudd room now, those are the pipes running strait up. The bended coil copper is gas line to water heater. The feed going in end cap (small hole) bottom center is to my mudd room bathroom. it is a maze, but works well and will be totaly hidden (accesable though) when done.

[sparcebag]

Shack Its all in fun! We should get together and build a still!

[Shack]

Oh! I know. I take nothing personal on the web. Hey sparcebag, what happen to latest post on concrete thread. i saw it there and now its gone. I will check again!

[sparcebag]

I reread the the other posts,and I was only repeating,I'm not a parrot!I'm a turkey soaring with eagles UMMM that does'nt sound right???

[LundExplorer]

I was just commenting on my poor soldering skills...

[Ryan Berger]

Back to the main subject,, you can get Viaga pex at Goodin company as well, I responded to your other post, you can get the kit with both size crimpers and a cutter for around $120 and when you are done I will gladly buy it from you for $75 if you want to sell it

[LOTWSvirgin]

I wouldnt buy nothing but wirsbo if you decide to go with it the and I would use the crimp vs the expantion tool you have to rotate the expantion every time you expand the pipe till it fits the fitting I do new residental plumbing and code should not be a problem and if you do it yourself it shouldnt have to be inspected I maybe wrong just make sure you use the pipe size to fit your fixtures no more than three fixtures to a 3/4 in pipe a if you have any other questions Email me at no_bull[PoorWordUsage][email protected]

[dakotakid31]

Quote:

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I wouldnt buy nothing but wirsbo if you decide to go with it the and I would use the crimp vs the expantion tool you have to rotate the expantion every time you expand the pipe till it fits the fitting I do new residental plumbing and code should not be a problem and if you do it yourself it shouldnt have to be inspected I maybe wrong just make sure you use the pipe size to fit your fixtures no more than three fixtures to a 3/4 in pipe a if you have any other questions Email me at

no_bull[PoorWordUsage][email protected]

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no more than 3 Fixtures on 1/2" in the same room. I am sure thats what you meant, not trying to be a jerk and correct ya.

[LOTWSvirgin]

YOu are correct Dakotakid thanks for correcting me on that if your going to try to help someone make sure you tell them the right answer