Plumbing - 3/8 PEX vs 1/2" Pex - is 3/8 dead?

[newbury]

I'm getting ready to "replumb" the "apartment" in my shop. It's got 1 kitchen sink, 1 "water closet" (seems people don't use "toilet" anymore) 1 bathroom sink and 1 shower/bath.

Based on my readings I was going to use 3/8" PEX for some, 1/2" pex for others, off manifolds (1 for hot, 1 for cold). But looking at Lowes they don't sell 3/8 PEX in lengths.

Main reason to use 3/8 was smaller holes and bends.

Is 3/8 PEX ancient history?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Yes, use 1/2" minimum, you actually don't get a true 1/2" ID with pex as compared to copper, but you can run higher velocities and you don't have any fitting losses if you home run everything from the manifold.

 

[Deere Dude]

Stick with what is plenteous and with fewer transitions. Easier.

Do you have a 1 handed ring crimper and do they use the same copper bands as the 2 handed crimper? I have a 2 handed but is very unwieldy in tight spaces and was looking for something compact..

 

[LD1]

Even if you could find 3/8 locally, it would probably be more expensive as its not as popular.

I dont do bends on pex either. I know some do, but I use the 90's and crimps as it makes a cleaner install

 

[newbury]

Stick with what is plenteous and with fewer transitions. Easier.

Do you have a 1 handed ring crimper and do they use the same copper bands as the 2 handed crimper? I have a 2 handed but is very unwieldy in tight spaces and was looking for something compact..

Since I'm going to be able to expose the manifold and most fittings I was thinking of going with a 6 port PEX Plumbing Manifold 3/4 Male 1/2 Ball Valve with PUSH FIT closed end and similar for the hot with push-fits at the faucets. I have not gotten into the other myriad different "standards" of connecting PEX.

 

[RNeumann]

A single bathroom for one person can use a manifold but I avoid them. I run 3/4 to each bathroom and certainly through the water heater (if this is going to have one).
As stated 1/2" min. 3/8" is for your drinking water faucet.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I tried to find a couple hundred feet of 3/8" a few years ago to thaw an underground water line. It had to be special ordered. Of course this is Canada. Fast becoming a third world country.

 

[kenmac]

I have never used anything smaller than 1/2. Best I remember. 1/2 pex would be 3/8 id. 3/8 pex would be 1/4 id