Anyone have a plumbing repair using PEX piping?...

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PEX flex pipe

by James Denison Jan 2, 2010 1:46AM PST

http://www.pexinfo.com/

Has a lot about it, a big area about it's advantages, nothing about it's disadvantages. My impression is it's better than outside waterhose, less than PVC, PPVC, and copper. There was some gray water tubing pipe in the past that was used and became a problem in new homes it was placed into. I'd look around for that info and suspect the same complications might result from newer product also.

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I've gathered some basic knowledge

by Willy Jan 2, 2010 5:55AM PST

PEX is becoming the defacto plumbing install as its so easy to use and/or become pliable for repairs, because its flexible. newer homes are using it because its easy to ship and unroll as needed. My only consider is the crimpimg or fitting, thus is has to be correct, etc.. Now, if you had bad problems already and you've(or your plumber) has, then yeah it maybe a good way to go. I don't understand it failing on you(old plumbing) unless the ground/concrete settled beyond what was expected. So, now if the PEX fails for whatever reason, its open to debate. The cost of PEX is pretty much not that bad, its the labor that may get costly, especially if unique home, IMHO. No, I have't used it but found in newer homes around here. good luck -----Willy

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The only potential issue I found ...

by Bill Osler Jan 2, 2010 11:02AM PST

There have been some concerns about premature degradation. The expected lifetime for the plumbing is about 50 years, but there have been reports of premature failure.

The Wikipedia article states that PEX is sensitive to light exposure, and that it is important to use non-ferrous fittings for the elbows and such because oxygen can apparently diffuse through the pipe into the water and speed the corrosion of ferrous fittings. That might be an issue if you have galvanized pipe connected to the PEX.

From what I've read it sounds like PEX is a reasonable choice as long as the installer has been careful to prevent exposure to sunlight and as long as it is installed properly.

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PEX

by Jasonbold Aug 21, 2015 10:16AM PDT

I am not sure about 50 years of service .... extreme freeze temperature, water hammer, rats or even some bugs can ruin your hopes.

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I can see an advantage in some cases

by Steven Haninger Jan 2, 2010 7:08PM PST

When looking at the hardware that is or can be used, I see it's manifold based. I've been in such a house years ago that used such. A single manifold for either hot or cold water fed smaller diameter piping....in this case it was copper....to various locations in the house. The smaller diameter had the advantage that hot water reached the faucets earlier. The manifolds had local valves that were solenoid triggered and could deliver variable flow rates. There wasn't flow control at the sinks but maybe 3 or 4 temperature choices. In this house, the biggest problem was solenoid failures and only one source of replacement parts. Perhaps this home was ahead of its time in some respects. I think it was built in the '70s or even earlier. I can see using manifolds with standard valves at sinks and such with a gate type valve at the manifold for each termination as having a lot of advantage in terms of maintenance. No longer would one need to turn off the main water supply just to replace a faulty valve elsewhere.

I've never been too keen on PVC and use of glue that needs time to set before pressure is applied. As well, sweat soldering copper can be a pain. Anyone who has done that knows what I mean. You need to drain water from the pipe or it won't heat up and melt solder. As well, you've got to really clean up the solder joints nice and shiny and apply the paste flux just right. Then, you've got to get good even heat applied, get the solder to flow into the joint fully and cool slowly so it won't crystallize. This is a messy job. I'm skeptical of the crimp type connectors but have been told by others that they work well. I do like the common manifold idea, however.

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PEX types

by Willy Jan 4, 2010 3:22AM PST

Don't confuse earlier versions of plastic tubing with PEX or use the term too interchangeability. There was a big recall or lawsuit on this some yrs. ago and many southern homes were part of this suit. Here, in the northern parts of the states, traditional copper or PVC prevail as not only it was common but tend to help when things get colder(PVC??) but anyways, it helps. The tubing was used down south because of the heavy building going on during the rush leaving the Rust Belt. New homes tend got the nod to use it and within 3-5yrs. started to fail, so if yours is of that period, maybe that's what you have, not the newer PEX but the older polychorobutal?? sort and further these were supplied by Shell Oil the compounds to make PEX which was part of the suit.

FYI- I use PVC on waste plumbing and wait only secs. before I move on to the next fitting, once done its finished, no need to wait, its cured. I tend to use copper more than anything, but it works for me, I hate to get into tights spots but it can be done. Heck, I still find lead pipes here in this old building(gasp). adios -----Willy

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PEX tubing types

by Radiantmanifold Feb 4, 2010 2:47AM PST

One of the most common questions you face when starting on a plumbing or radiant heating project is whether to choose PEX tubing with oxygen barrier or non-barrier.

The main difference between the two types is the external polymer coating of the oxygen barrier PEX tubing, which makes the tubing prone to oxygen diffusion. Oxygen barrier PEX is used in radiant or hydronic heating applications only, where cast iron or other ferrous components are present in the system. Since contact of oxygen molecules in the water with ferrous parts in the system results in rust, oxygen barrier helps to prevent ferrous components from corrosion.

Oxygen barrier is also called EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol), which is simply the abbreviation for the polymer.

DIN 4726 is the standard that can commonly be found imprinted of the oxygen barrier PEX tubing and shows that the oxygen diffusion barrier requirements are met.

http://www.pexuniverse.com/content/pex-tubing-types-oxygen-barrier-vs-non-barrier

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Pex Tubing & Pipes

by Radiantmanifold Feb 4, 2010 5:06AM PST

Sorry for my previous post )

In general, the problem seems to be coming from where the pipes are installed and how they are insulated. Most likely, when temperature drop down below freezing, your pipes just burst,

The main issue you should consider is the freeze protection. Running pipes in the ceiling may be a better idea, especially if the ceiling is insulated or the space below is well heated.
When you want to decide PEX vs. Copper, PEX would definitely be better, since it's cheaper, it doesn't condense like copper pipes and it has much better burst resistance at low temperatures.
Using brass fittings is completely fine as well.

Good luck!

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Well it's been 5 1/2 years

by JP Bill Aug 21, 2015 2:01PM PDT

Have you made a decision on what to do?

I haven't slept a wink wondering what you would do.

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5 3/4 years now!

by JamieAllen123 Oct 7, 2015 9:44AM PDT

Im sure the right decision was made, but I feel your pain. I also don't sleep well thinking about all the catastrophic events going on in the world by people who are continuing using CPVC pipes instead of switching to PEX. Radiant manifold was correct, and im sure the original poster ended up going with PEX as well. There seems to be nothing that would stray him away from that decision.

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Pex

by cutiedoose Oct 9, 2015 4:06AM PDT

PEX systems can fail in either the pipe or in the fitting. The most notable failure occurs when the fittings fail and water starts leaking and causing visible damage. A lot of new homes seems to use PEX system. I got my plumbing done through Green city plumber,here in Ontario.Anyways good luck

Link edited by moderator.

Post was last edited on October 9, 2015 4:21 AM PDT

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