New garage time!

[civilian]

Miter saw is in the back behind the drill press on the ground. Almost everything that was in the garage is still in the garage. The only thing that came out were a couple empty boxes. I do this every couple weeks as it evolves into an unmanageable mess.

I figured it was in there somewhere, I just could not see it. Jon

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

So I've never tested PEX. Why would you not put in more pressure to help find a leak?

I see it is rated up to 160psi at 73F. Why not 100psi? Swagelock makes some good stuff they call snoop. But soapy water is almost free and snoop is $$$.

We use snoop at work to find low pressure leaks, including hydrogen. :shocked:

 

[ovrszd]

This is a very small leak. If the air has been all bled from the system it would mean no expansion from air. So a few drops of fluid would lower the pressure significantly. Just like in a hydraulic system. I don't recall any mention of bleeding air so am assuming there's considerable air trapped in the loops.

If there are no couplers in the pex loops I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Also, depending on how the system is finished, you may or may not have an "active" system? An active system has the domestic water system plumbed into the design. A backflow preventer is used along with a pressure regulator. The domestic water system is pushing against the hydronic floor heat system all the time. If a drop of fluid escapes it is replaced. This style of hookup prevents future problems of aeration within the loops.

If you use an active system your small leak will only be an inconvenience because of an occasional drop of water on the floor.

 

[deezler]

So I've never tested PEX. Why would you not put in more pressure to help find a leak?

I see it is rated up to 160psi at 73F. Why not 100psi? Swagelock makes some good stuff they call snoop. But soapy water is almost free and snoop is $$$.

We use snoop at work to find low pressure leaks, including hydrogen. :shocked:

I guess I would be concerned that over-pressurizing it could actually induce a leak. It's not going to run at much pressure when operating for heat. The leaks are probably all in the manifolds, too many joints and fittings in there. If the pex tubing had a leak, you'd fall to zero pretty fast. My pex layout did the same thing, lost a few psi and then held ok around 45 psi after that. You might lose some pressure just by the pex relaxing and inflating a tiny bit, too. Things have to settle in.

We use snoop in my engine dyno lab to find leaks too. It also works well for quieting accessory belt squeaks and chirps during sensitive noise testing.

 

[Ford850]

Is this leak test being done with only air in the pex, or was it filled with water?

 

[fatjay]

Only air in the system. Buddy got a kidney infection so stuff has been put on hold for a few days. Checked today and it's still holding 30psi after 7 days. Maybe the pex was swelling a bit or bends where it's thinner being swollen out that caused depressurization? I mean it was 45psi, there were leaks, i snugged it up but it was at 38psi by that point. It's in the sun all day, does that make the pex more plyable so that the pressure would blow it up a bit?

 

[ovrszd]

Only air in the system. Buddy got a kidney infection so stuff has been put on hold for a few days. Checked today and it's still holding 30psi after 7 days. Maybe the pex was swelling a bit or bends where it's thinner being swollen out that caused depressurization? I mean it was 45psi, there were leaks, i snugged it up but it was at 38psi by that point. It's in the sun all day, does that make the pex more plyable so that the pressure would blow it up a bit?

It might. If you are holding 30psi you don't have anything to worry about. As I mentioned earlier you'll probably run around 15psi.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Only air in the system. Buddy got a kidney infection so stuff has been put on hold for a few days. Checked today and it's still holding 30psi after 7 days. Maybe the pex was swelling a bit or bends where it's thinner being swollen out that caused depressurization? I mean it was 45psi, there were leaks, i snugged it up but it was at 38psi by that point. It's in the sun all day, does that make the pex more plyable so that the pressure would blow it up a bit?

kidney infections are horrible. Hope he went to the doctor quick!

 

[fatjay]

Pour day tomorrow! A bit nervous. 5 guys armed with coffee and donuts showing up at 7:30am. I wasn't sure there even was a 7:30am anymore. Truck window between 8 and 11. Average pad thickness is 7". The platform isn't flexing as much as it seems like in the pictures. I have a bit of cleanup to do yet but that can wait until it's not in the afternoon sun.

 

[dodge man]

Good luck and snap a pic of the process.