Table of Contents
Why is PEX plumbing bad?
Potential chemical leaching is another downside of PEX piping. Due to its chemical composition, the PEX pipe material may leach toxic chemicals including bisphenol (BPA), MTBE, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), and others.
How do you run PEX walls?
How far can you run 1 PEX?
In general, the greater the distance from the manifold to the fixture, the wider the PEX tubing should be. A 3/8-inch line is sufficient for lengths up to 250 feet; 1/2-inch line will deliver adequate water pressure up to 350 feet; and 3/4-inch tubing is necessary to run a 500-foot line.
Is PEX OK for drinking water?
There are no health risks associated with drinking water from PEX pipes. A few types of PEX-pipe may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odour if the water remains in pipes over time.
Why is PEX banned in California?
PEX was banned in California due to some concerns about toxic materials leaking through the pipe and into water. Through various national laboratory tests, PEX has proven to be completely safe and durable. It is now legal in California and even included in principal plumbing codes.
How many fixtures are on a 1/2 PEX water line?
For our example, our 1-inch pipe can have up to 30 fixture units, our 3/4-inch can have up to 14, and our 1/2-inch can have up to 4.
Can you run hot and cold PEX side by side?
Hot and cold PEX water lines run through the same hole in a stud wall. This is not a typical installation; both pipes should have their own holes to pass through the framing.
Can you run PEX to a water heater?
Can I Connect PEX to My Water Heater? PEX can’t be directly connected to a water heater. from your water heater and connect the PEX to the pipe.
Should I bend PEX or elbow?
Use PEX bend supports instead of elbows. While these, unlike elbow fittings, cannot provide a sharp turn, they are suitable for most frame homes and will provide a certain degree of protection for the pipe from rigid/abrasive stud edges.
How tight of a radius can you bend PEX?
Some supports have nails that allow you to secure the support to the surface below. Bend supports generally bring the PEX to its tightest allowable 90-degree turn without folding or crimping. Turn radii differ according to PEX pipe diameter. For 1/2-inch PEX pipe, the tightest radius is usually 5 inches.
What size waterline should I run to my house?
If you want a plentiful supply of water to flow from each faucet, you must be certain that the main water line entering the house and the main feed line within the house is at least three-quarter inch in diameter or possibly one-inch in diameter. This larger sized pipe can carry a significant amount of water.
Can you run PEX in exterior walls?
Plan Where PEX Pipes Are Run It’s a good idea to route PEX pipes through interior walls rather than exterior walls where possible. The heat from your home’s heating system can prevent PEX pipes from freezing. When outside temperatures are 2o degrees or lower, keep your interior temperature at 55 degrees or higher.
Where is PEX not allowed?
PEX can’t be installed in high heat areas. You can’t install PEX in high heat areas like near recessed lighting. This also means you can’t connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this.
Can you run PEX inside PVC pipe?
Choose and Attach a Threaded Fitting Half attaches to the PEX pipe, and the other half attaches to the existing pipe, either copper or PVC. Thread the two halves together and, voilà, you have a watertight connection. But PEX connections don’t always need to be so complicated.
How long will PEX last?
Additionally, long-term testing programs on PEX have shown that it has a potential lifespan of more than 100 years. So, while copper systems may have to be re-piped every few years or decades due to corrosion and pinhole leaks, a PEX system can last 10 times longer — or more.
Can mice chew through PEX pipe?
Mice and rats will chew through anything they can, including plastic, so PEX tubing is at just as much risk as the plastic-coated wiring in a car or an HVAC unit. While all rodent damage can be expensive, if rodents chew through a home’s PEX water pipes, the result can be disastrous.
How long will PEX last outside?
Most manufacturers put UV stabilizers in PEX tubing to provide at least 30 to 60 days UV protection.
Is PEX harmful?
California banned PEX because of the possibility that harmful chemicals can enter drinking water. There are no studies that indicate that you will risk your health if you drink water from PEX pipes. However, PEX has been banned and reapproved in California several times, and it is used nationwide.
Is PEX safer than copper?
PEX Tubing is much more resistant to freeze-breakage than copper or rigid plastic pipe. Attaching PEX tube to fittings does not require soldering, and so eliminates the health hazards involved with lead-based solder and acid fluxes. PEX is also safer to install since a torch is not needed to make connections.
Is PEX more reliable than copper?
Copper Pipe Lifespan. PEX pipe is not only cheaper than copper but more durable too. PEX is immune to corrosion and mineral build-up, and it’s not affected by electrolysis, which can cause small pinhole leaks in copper piping. PEX pipe is more resistant to bursting in freezing conditions than metal piping.
Is 1 2 PEX enough for shower?
As long as the supply lines for the shower tie into a 3/4″ line, 1/2″ will be fine. I use a Delta shower faucet that already has pex adapters made into the valve body, no threading or sweating, just crimp and you’re done.
Is 1 2 PEX big enough for hose bib?
1/2″ is fine for individual fixtures such as sinks and dishwashers, but high flow fancy showers should be 3/4″ Also, your trunk line should have been 3/4″. It also depends upon the water pressure supplied by your utility or well. If it’s high enough, you can “get by” with 1/2″ but bigger is usually better.
