PEX plumbing?

Beeman · #1 04/21/10, 12:16 AM

Need to do some plumbing and I'm considering PEX. From what I understand there are 3 types of connectors. I'm wanting to use the crimp type and not the shark bite push in type. Has anyone bought the tools or had any experience with making the connections> I see tools for sale on ebay, anyone tried these?

Ed Norman · #2 04/21/10, 12:32 AM

We plumbed the house with it in a weekend. The local lumberyard will loan the big tools to us.

When we did the sunroom, we put pex in the slab for radiant heat. It was 3/8" and the lumberyard didn't have a crimper that size, so I got a little tool off ebay that does 3/8, 1/2, 3/4" and uses big 10" vise grips to close the tool. It is small and handy and fits in tight places, but it is slow and you better have a good grip to work it. But it is a well made tool and was cheap, made up in New England somewhere.

I love the pex. Been using it 9 years with zero problems. And it makes splicing in to add something later so easy.

francismilker · #3 04/21/10, 12:50 AM

I personally prefer the crimped type washer style connectors. I've found that the tools have come way down in price since the pex has become more common. There's also a lot of folks who have bought the tool for one project and have it laying around in the shop idle. You might be able to borrow one from somebody. I love PEX.

michiganfarmer · #4 04/21/10, 01:45 AM

i hate the stuff. NONE of it matches anything els in normal plumbing supplies. PEX can shove their product

**Ross** · #5 04/21/10, 04:40 AM

I use the crimping bands that look like cv boot bands. It can be a pain in tight corners but then so is soldering in some spots. Friend of mine uses the solid rings, they work OK to.... uses a bigger crimper though so it can be even more awkward. Tried the Sharp bites and compression fittings too. They can be a real time saver too.

blooba · #6 04/21/10, 05:39 AM

Shark bites are nice although expensive if doing an entire house. It will save ALOT of time though so thats something to consider.

Windy in Kansas · #7 04/21/10, 08:35 AM

I'm not a fan of it either. One particular brand of it leaves a taste in the water which is strong enough that I can't even use it for making a cup of instant coffee, brushing my teeth, iced tea, etc. Have to get all that I drink or use in such manner through the refrigerator which filters it.

Beeman · #8 04/21/10, 08:50 AM

Never heard of anyone getting a taste or odor from it, what brand is it and what color? And the 20 million dollar question of where was it made?
What are the proper names for the 2 types of crimps or is there one?
I'm sure there are plenty of tools around which is why I looked at ebay. I'm not a borrower and a worse lender so I'd rather own my own tool.
As far as matching other plumbing they make fittings to join PEX to just about any and everything especially those shark bite fittings. I've seen it done to copper,PVC and CPVC and the only tool needed was something to cut the pipes.

**highlands** · #9 04/21/10, 09:54 AM

I have used PEX to do our house. I've actually done two complete installs. I was very pleased with it. I've previously worked with PVC, Copper both soldered and other and other systems. The PEX is easily the best. Easy to install. Less waste. Easy to change. Easy to fix or modify.

I got some of my fittings and tubing from two local suppliers but they don't tend to carry all the possible fittings. See this place online for an excellent variety and pricing:

http://www.pexsupply.com

I have ordered twice from them and been pleased. Below is a link to the type of attachment (Stainless Steel Clamp SSC) which is what I like best:

http://www.pexsupply.com/HydroPEX-HC...-bag-3855000-p

which works with these types of fittings:

http://www.pexsupply.com/HydroPEX-Crimp-Fittings-365000

I prefer the brass. I tried out the crimp and sharkbite, etc but the above is best.

Tools were not expensive:

http://www.pexsupply.com/PEX-Clamp-Tool-Clamps-360000

http://www.pexsupply.com/Wirsbo-Upon...-PEX-2167000-p

Buy multiple colors of PEX tubing and use the colors to code what is in the pipes. It is worth it.

I'm going to use this in the construction of our butcher shop too (see below).

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
Read about our on-farm butcher shop project:
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/butchershop
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/csa

unioncreek · #10 04/21/10, 09:57 AM

I believe Zurn was the brand that was causing the taste problem. It seemed that it was not a problem with all the Zurn tubing. They have since solved that problem. I'm going to be using PEX when I remodel an apartment we have.

Bob

Michael Kawalek · #11 04/21/10, 10:11 AM

I decided to install PEX in my cabin because of its freeze resistance. Found it to be a joy to work with. I got a Zurn brand crimper (solid ring) for only 58$ from Home Depot. Came complete with 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" crimper inserts. Didn't notice any kind of objectionable smell/taste with the pipe I bought from Home Depot.

The best thing about pex is if you make a mistake, you just cut it out with a razor knife. Forgot a valve, just cut and crimp one in place. Need a tee, just cut and add one.

The one really bad failing for me is that it is not supposed to be as animal resistant as hard PVC, so I'm only using it inside the cabin. In the past, I've lost thousands of gallons of water after ground squirrels chewed through soft pipe.

texican · #12 04/21/10, 11:58 AM

I would like to consider using it in the new home. Problem is, the hardware store gave me a trailer load (several thousands of dollars worth) of pvc and cpvc pipe two years ago. All I'm going to be out is fittings. If it weren't for that huge pre sorted stack of pipe in the barn...

The cost issue is only important if your doing it for someone else, or having someone do it for you. Plumbers time is expensive. If doing it for yourself, the time vs. money issue comes into play.

mountainlaurel · #13 04/21/10, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

i hate the stuff. NONE of it matches anything els in normal plumbing supplies. PEX can shove their product

-real plumbers call it 'Mexican plumbing' They think it's a pain in the but because you have to crimp everything and can't sodder it. We did use it for radiant heat in the floor in our shop but is should be out lawed. It's on the same principle as Qest piping which was out lawed

rancher1913 · #14 04/21/10, 08:50 PM

pex is a name for the pipe--crosslinked polyethelyne or pex for short. there are several brands some use metal crush rings and some use expansion and shrink. fittings are the real problem area--the plastic ones break down over time and were the cause for the recall of the quest system. the brass fittings are the best but of course cost a little. stay away from the shark bite stuff, if you can not see the joint at all times--they will come apart in a few years, I make a lot of money replacing that crap.

rancher1913 · #15 04/21/10, 08:52 PM

also the radiant floor is not for drinking water and vice versa

**clovis** · #16 04/22/10, 12:21 AM

I'm too old school, even though I'm not that old, to like PEX.

Yes, it does have advantages. I know most people in the world love the stuff.

I'd still like to see how it holds up in another 20 years. For me, and my old house, I'm sticking with copper, and the better grades at that.

I'd probably think different if I were building new...no, wait a minute...yeah, I'd probably stick with copper.

cubfarm 1 · #17 04/22/10, 07:36 AM

get the APOLLO crimper set. Well made tool and covers common pipe sizes. Also stick with the brass fittings. In the long term they are worth the money. Remember,,, they thought copper was stupid 40 years ago too! The newer stuff is NOT the old pex that was used in trailers in the 60-70-80's.

cubfarm 1 · #18 04/22/10, 07:46 AM

Just looked at pexsupply.com,,, they are out of their mind on the tool prices! The appolo set in a black case at Lowes is $79. Handle,four sizes of dies and the gauge so you can get the tool set right. Have never really needed the gauge that checks the band size when done. The dies are a two part and when they are squeezed all the way the crimp IS right! A band cutter is not needed much. Only $25 if you are a tool junkie. There are adaptors for working with most any other type of pipe. Have fun!!!!!!!!!