I am having a shower stall tiled & the guy told me he would use PEX tubing instead of copper for the little plumbing that is required. I had never heard of it, so I went online. Seems good enough.
Any of you know the pros & cons??
Full Version: PEX Tubing - any experience?
Proper installation of the fittings is critical. There's a specialized tool that crimps the bands at each fitting. If it's worn out or not calibrated correctly the bands can and do fail. Guess what happens next.
Builder here used the stuff in all their houses when they were building in the 80's. I know they got sued over it a number of times and I think closed their doors over it.
commonly used for radiant heat flooring applications. The plumber probably has extra on hand & taking the short way out.
Go with copper & forget about it
Go with copper & forget about it
QUOTE(MrBadExxample @ Jul 11 2008, 07:31 PM) 
Proper installation of the fittings is critical. There's a specialized tool that crimps the bands at each fitting. If it's worn out or not calibrated correctly the bands can and do fail. Guess what happens next.
Not all fitting types use a band and properly installed it is just as, if not more, reliable than copper and there way less fittings buried in the walls so less chance for concealed leaks. I'd have no problem using PEX.
QUOTE(CxBXR @ Jul 12 2008, 09:48 AM)
commonly used for radiant heat flooring applications. The plumber probably has extra on hand & taking the short way out.
Go with copper & forget about it
Go with copper & forget about it
So it's OK to run water around in your floor or wall or ceiling for heat but not OK to get water to you shower?
QUOTE(Fleg @ Jul 11 2008, 08:55 PM)
Builder here used the stuff in all their houses when they were building in the 80's. I know they got sued over it a number of times and I think closed their doors over it.
Unless they were very early adopters, it seems unlikely that they were using PEX. It's been used in Europe for 4-ish decades, but much less time here.
QUOTE(tvking @ Jul 13 2008, 10:50 PM)
QUOTE(Fleg @ Jul 11 2008, 08:55 PM)
Builder here used the stuff in all their houses when they were building in the 80's. I know they got sued over it a number of times and I think closed their doors over it.
Unless they were very early adopters, it seems unlikely that they were using PEX. It's been used in Europe for 4-ish decades, but much less time here.
They were using PEX.
In the 80's they used polybutylene, a completely different product. An Oxygen molecule was left out of the poly formula and the piping and plastic fittings both failed. Shell and Celanese were the component suppleirs, and 2 class-action suits at nearly 2 billion settled the problem. PEX works.
I also have Master Plumber License #5 in my County. FWIW
I also have Master Plumber License #5 in my County. FWIW
QUOTE
Not all fitting types use a band and properly installed it is just as, if not more, reliable than copper and there way less fittings buried in the walls so less chance for concealed leaks. I'd have no problem using PEX.
My neighbor is a plumber by trade, and he agrees with the above statement.. FWIW
Replumbed my entire house about 8 years ago. Zero problems.
As already been mentioned, you need the expanding tool to properly
install the fittings. Lucky for me, I have friend that owns a Plumbing business.
As already been mentioned, you need the expanding tool to properly
install the fittings. Lucky for me, I have friend that owns a Plumbing business.
A friend just bought and remodeled his Grandparents house with PEX. Neat product. It made retro fitting a lot easier.
Most I talked to say good things about it.
Most I talked to say good things about it.
PEX is the way to go hands down........you'll love it when you see how it works.
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