PEX preferences

[_RaT_]

I am in the process of doing some PEX plumbing. It will be my first attempt with PEX although I have done considerable copper water lines. Any plumbers out there that can lend some advice on which system is the way to go? I have seen the type with plastic fittings with a tool that expands the PEX long enough to slip the fitting in (Walboro?) and then the Sharkbite type or Zurn with the brass fittings and crimps. Any comments as to how to proceed would be most welcome. Thanks, Mark

 

[kenmac]

I have used the wirsbo plastic & brass fittings without any problems. There is / was a class action suit involving the zurn fittings. I don't know if zurn solved the problems or not. The zurn fittings in question were made in china

 

[lakngulf]

I have used the Sharkbite connections and valves. They worked great and I still don't know how they do it. You do have to get the pipe into the unit a good inch, and there is a tool to pop it off if you have to. Home Depot has all kinds of fittings. Amazing how you can connect different pipe medium.

I did not know anything about a lawsuit. Maybe I should check some of my plumbing.

 

[crusty 1]

I used the wirsbo on my house and no problems[well till I said this]:laughingave

 

[bdeboer]

I have used the zurn crimp type fittings because that is what is locally available. They work although you lose flow capacity and may want to increase some lines from 1/2" to 3/4" or 3/4" to 1" when you layout the plumbing.

I did read a good article about pex systems and flow that recommended a manifold system where each device gets a homerun back to a manifold. The article stated that it takes less time to get hot water through a 3/8 Line to shower or sink and therefore smaller sizes would save water and energy without sacrificing performance.

 

[lakngulf]

The article stated that it takes less time to get hot water through a 3/8 Line to shower or sink and therefore smaller sizes would save water and energy without sacrificing performance.

I have toured several homes under construction that use this "home run" approach, and I like it. I am in my last house and it is already built so I do not see myself using it, but the concept it good.

Also, I am in full agreement about the water moving thru the 3/8 faster. I have two water heaters and basically two showers that get used everyday. One is fed with 3/4 CPVC pipe, and the other with 1/2. They have about the same distance from water heater to shower and the 1/2 has hot water at least twice as fast.

That said, would it be a good idea for me to change the 3/4 to 1/2. I do have access to it and that could be done without a major problem.

 

[studor]

I redid the plumbing in my log cabin with PEX using the crimp fittings (do not know the make -- got them at HD locally) I used the "home run" manifolds as well. I would use it again in a heartbeat -- fast, easy, relatively cheap. Only one small leak at test (probably my fault)and a lot fewer joints. The pipe was easier to hide as well.
I have had the system in for about four years now and even had some partial freezing two winters ago without damage or leakage. --JMHO

 

[Toyboy]

My whole house & garage is plumbed with Wirsbo pex tubing including the in floor radiant heat. I think it's the only way to go if code allows it. It's very popular up here in the North country.

 

[_RaT_]

Do you guys insulate the hot water pipe? What about hangers/support?

 

[Kays Supply]

I am a plumber in Illinois. I researched PEX for over a year before I started using it. The Zurn issue was the yellow brass fittings and the wall thickness. The yellow brass dezincafied and then broke where it was thin. Wirsbro system uses the expander system. I use Nibco PEX and Veiga Red Brass fittings and SS crimp sleeves. Sleeves are longer and make a fitting that looks like a hydraulic fitting. There are several methods of making PEX. The Nibco system has the best memory, can stay in the sun longer, tends to stay straight when straightened, and you can get it in " ridgid" straight 20' lengths. In Illinois we have to up size when using insert fittings. That makes us use 1 1/4" for 1" copper. The down side is the tool to crimp it is $1600. As far as Sharkbite fittings, be very careful. I know a plumber that did a home in them and had so many leaks he didn't make a nickle on the job. They are great for repairs but they are iffy when the pipe gets in a bind. I tell my customers that copper and PEX have good and bad qualitys. It is pretty much even except the PEX is cheaper but the copper looks much better. As far as smaller lines, like I said in Illinois it isn't possible. I still use copper to run in the walls down through the floor then connect to PEX for the long runs. It is much nicer making connections to the faucets from copper. Also we have to put air chambers on the fixtures and PEX does't work well for that.