PEX preferences

[Marlowe]

The problem I've seen with the Sharkbite stuff is that it breaks. If exposed to freezing temps it's the weak link and if installed with pressure on the Sharkbite it breaks now and then. PEX is great though and when used with the crimp copper clamps it's really easy to install, as long as you have the crimping too.

 

[_RaT_]

You guys have offered some great discussion. I am leaning more towards the copper crimp ring and SS clamp system. Main reason is that availability looks best. My concern with copper crimp ring is that as an electrician, copper "Buchanan" or barrel crimps for ground wires are so weak compared to the steel barrels so I only buy the steal type. Perhaps my fear is unfounded with the copper crimp ring although I would prefer SS. The SS clamp looks quite good as well and what I think is pretty fail proof. The Wirsbo expansion looks really good but the availablity seems a bit tough to get with out planning ahead. From Zurn to Nibco, looks like they have all had their share of lawsuits with their products. Nibco is so big in plumbing that I just have to think they have so much invested in the PEX system that they have to perform. My minimal amount of plumbing would certainly allow me to use the manual crimp/clamp/expand type tools. Thanks very much for your comments, it really helps.

The problem I've seen with the Sharkbite stuff is that it breaks. If exposed to freezing temps it's the weak link and if installed with pressure on the Sharkbite it breaks now and then. PEX is great though and when used with the crimp copper clamps it's really easy to install, as long as you have the crimping too.

 

[thatguy]

i just replumbed/installed a triple 'big blue' water filter at my house today using PEX.. We ended up having about 15 connections in total (there was not room for the big blues where the old, single filter was mounted, so we had to run new pipe over and up to the new filters and then from them over to the connection just past the old filter (which was removed))

it was quite easy to do and we only had one copper crimp ring that leaked for some reason. After taking it off and redoing it we had no more problems..

I used the white PEX pipe and brass fittings from Lowes.. I used a dremal saw to cut off the old copper bands, and that worked out pretty well. I didnt try to reuse the pex tubing after I cut the rings off though - but you could cut the ends off i reckon.

I got lucky and my dad was able to borrow a retired plumbers copper ring crimp tool and it made it a snap.. Lowes sells a crimper for about $25 that you use vice grips to tighten down on that would have worked, but would have taken much longer..

good luck

brian

 

[AlanB]

Can you mix and match the different manufacturers "similar" product with each other?

Say, a fitting designed for a crimp ring from manufacturer A
the tubing itself from Manufacturer B
etc. etc?

My problem is that Lowes has a decent assortment, not good, decent, and Home Depot is absolutely terrible here.

I would rather buy from the local plumbing house, but they are all too often closed when I am trying to make things work.

I want to use the lowes stuff, I think now it is "appollo" and forget what it was 3 years ago when I last looked, but right as I was looking they closed it out (made it a lot cheaper) and kind of scared me off from that idea. I really don't want $200 of orphan tools.

 

[SpringHollow]

I have used the vise grip crimpers for a while - they work well, especially in tight places. They are slower than a full size tool though.

Ken

 

[_RaT_]

I've heard mixed messages. I cannot imagine that a pipe with an identical ID and OD made of the same extruded polyethlyene could have significant enough differences that a fitting desinged for either clamp or crimp could not accomodate. I understand the difference between fittings designed for clamp and those designed for crimp being different enough to require an attachment method exclusively for that style, but between brands, just hard to believe its so different. that it would not work. I have also heard that the Sharkbite style is very effective from plumbers but the cost is the deciding factor. I will let you know how my Sharkbite 1/2" IP male adapters worked. I cannot imagine anything being more simple to install.

Can you mix and match the different manufacturers "similar" product with each other?

Say, a fitting designed for a crimp ring from manufacturer A
the tubing itself from Manufacturer B
etc. etc?

My problem is that Lowes has a decent assortment, not good, decent, and Home Depot is absolutely terrible here.

I would rather buy from the local plumbing house, but they are all too often closed when I am trying to make things work.

I want to use the lowes stuff, I think now it is "appollo" and forget what it was 3 years ago when I last looked, but right as I was looking they closed it out (made it a lot cheaper) and kind of scared me off from that idea. I really don't want $200 of orphan tools.

 

[Redneck in training]

We have heating and water done in Rehau PEX and fittings. When you use PEX threaded trough the wood studs put a plastic goose neck in every hole. Especially for hot water. Otherwise it will sqeek as it expands and contracts that will drive you nuts.

REHAU North America - EVERLOC Fitting System

 

[_RaT_]

Good point. Checked out the Rehau website. Not a real powerhouse website.

We have heating and water done in Rehau PEX and fittings. When you use PEX threaded trough the wood studs put a plastic goose neck in every hole. Especially for hot water. Otherwise it will sqeek as it expands and contracts that will drive you nuts.

REHAU North America - EVERLOC Fitting System

 

[_RaT_]

I've come to the conclusion that there is little consensus that the clamp is better than the crimp and vice versa.

 

[studor]

The crimp rings are now really common around here which is always a good indication that it works I can rent the crimping tool for around twelve bucks a day or buy one for about $100. If for any reason I foul up a crimp I use a dremel with a cut off wheel and with care can reuse everything but the crimp ring. If I add up all the dollars I have in tools to do copper plumbing it way exceeds the cost of a crimper. As well I will never catch something on fire fixing pex -- just seemed like a good way to go.