Pex plumbing

[heyttown]

Im thinking about installing pex instead of copper water lines in my house. My uncle had pex installed on his remodeled cottage and it went in with ease... Im wondering if pex can be installed thru the floor joist providing the hole is big enough to allow for expanding/contracting?

Does anybody know of any downfalls using pex?
Thanks

 

[Bass Man Bruce]

Re: Pex plumbing

I just finished a rehab on a house and I wouldn't consider anything but Pex.
It's cheaper, easier and will take at least a little below freezing.
Those new push on fittings work like a dream on it for any ridiculous to get to places.
If there is a downside, I'm still looking for it.
Through the floor is no problem, just be carefull where you drill, lot's a do's and doen'ts with that. (Usually staying inside the middle third((horizontal)) of the middle third((vertical)) is OK.)

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Pex plumbing

The downside are the connections, just as in copper piping and galvanized steel. Joint fail eventually and the best way to do it is to make home runs wherever possible.From a manifold then home run to each fixture.More expensive doing this way, but will eliminate connections.
Pex will take freezing well, but the push -on fittings mentioned ( Shark bite??) don't. Use seal tite ss connections or compressed ring style. These still aren't great Did I mention home runs???
Some folks have an aversion to the plastic pipe feeding their drinking water based in the fear of it leaching chemicals into the water. Think bisphenol-A -a in the water bottle debate. read here to start:

http://www.pipeproblems.com/2008/wa...pes-contain-bpa-or-any-other-toxic-chemicals/

http://www.uponor-usa.com/Header/Systems/Plumbing/Homeowner/Overview.aspx

I'm a contractor and have done projects both ways. One owner would not go with PEX, but the size of the project was small and the cost of copper wasn't that bad so we went with it. Had a couple others that went the same way. The majority have been done with PEX .

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Pex plumbing

Banded and clamped pex with brass fittings. The only way to go. They can be a little tough to crimp the ring in tight places but I made some extension handles for my crimper that makes it a little easier.

The expand and shrink type requires a very expensive expander tool. I just sold mine on ebay as they were a real PITA, doubly so if it was cold out.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Pex plumbing

I love PEX.

It's easy to work with and fast..
I can only think of 2 downsides. As stated before. Crimping can be a problem. They make 2 crimp styles. One that will crimp all the way around and for trouble spots, cinch crimps. It grabs a small clip on the side of the clamp.
The other problem it a might be problem.. The push fittings.. I just dont trust those fittings.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Pex plumbing

I re-plumbed my house a few years ago when the PB tubing was rotting out, never knew when another leak was going to pop up.... It was pretty straight forward and I crimped everything. I was going to use a manifold and home runs, but decided to follow what was originally installed. In hindsight, it would have been easier with home runs,,, the tubing is cheap. Cost me $800-1000 for everything, tube, fittings, stub outs, valves, water heater. Probably could have done it "cheap" at 1/2 the cost, but I didn't want to deal with plumbing issues again.

There are bushings that go through floor joists for PEX tubing, I guess so the tubing doesn't rattle and chafe.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Pex plumbing

.....There are bushings that go through floor joists for PEX tubing, I guess so the tubing doesn't rattle and chafe.

Eh!! Just buy a big pack of big nylon tie wraps and cinch that pex up against what ever timber is available. It'll never move and it'll never chafe!

 

[marlboro180]

Re: Pex plumbing

I forgot to address the holes in the joists- just make sure they are in the middle 1/3 of the joist and no closer than 3" from an end. Make 'em 1/4 " bigger than the pipe OD and no tight turns. Use plastic pipe talons to secure to joists.They allow for movement of the tube and hold it just a bit away from the wood to help alleviate chafing and noise. Do not attach to underside of floor decking in case a nail ever comes down from above( unless you are doing a radiant floor heat install)

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: Pex plumbing

When I researched pex about five years ago they told me not to run it where sunlight could reach it because it would deteriorate in time.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Pex plumbing

When I researched pex about five years ago they told me not to run it where sunlight could reach it because it would deteriorate in time.

Makes sense. You could always slap some latex paint on it if any had to be exposed!

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Pex plumbing

Makes sense. You could always slap some latex paint on it if any had to be exposed!

I'd be careful putting latex on any plastic.
I had always assumed that latex is just water based and benign, but have had it eat away at a couple of plastic items ~ a chair and some electrical conduit.
If the manufacturer (either of the paint or Pex) can guarantee that it is OK, I guess it's fine. Otherwise the way that you find out that it is not OK is.....