which pex connection is best

Inexpensive to buy and surprisingly versatile, PEX is also relatively easy to install. Using a crimp tool, compress the crimp ring until the tool stops. While PEX ranges from 3/8 to 1, the most common sizes youll see in residential applications are 1/2 and 3/4while 1 is often used formainfeedlines. thebest option available. So many plumbing and heating professionals have switched to PEX to stay competitive. At BoshartU, our goal is to equip you and your team with the knowledge you need to be more successful. One should be aware that PEXpiping hasa smaller inside diameter than copper pipe of the same nominal size. Stainless steel clamp rings fall under the ASTM F2098 standard. The process for making a connection on a square-cut, clean pipe is as follows. Mixed plubing This won't delete the articles you've saved, just the list. If you are using Uponor tubing, you need to use Uponor fittings. Chase Away Winters Chill with Radiant Heat, A Few Things to Consider When Installing a Radiant Heat System. Most plumbing applications, especially those involving potable water, call for the use of non-oxygen barrier PEX, offeredin several grades. Because metal is significantly stronger than plastic, a thinner metal fitting can be utilized and still exceed the strength of a plastic fitting. If chemicals commonly leach from the PEX, why not use polypro for the common sources of drinking water and use PEX for the rest, especially home-run hot water? Using a crimp tool, compress the crimp ring until the tool stops. He can be reached at dan.hubbard@uponor.com. The biggest benefit is that these fittings are the same inside diameter as the pipe and do not reduce flow to the same extent as crimp fittings. These are the four main methods for joining PEX piping systems. When you want a product that has the corrosion-resistance of plastic and strength that is superior to brass, stainless steel fittings areby all. The aluminum layer doubles as an oxygen barrier, which in concert with its lower expansion rate, makes PEX-AL-PEX suitable for use in outdoor, warmboard, or high-temperature heating systems. There are opportunities to send a sample of your water off to a lab to be tested, but for the average person, this is more involved than they care to get. PEX A is not inherently better than PEX C. The different types of PEX help plumbers determine what form of fitting to use and what characteristics the tube will have. Of course, what your local plumbing supply store carries will also impact your decision. Key issues, Sandbo notes in his Q&A post at GBA, are how long the tubing will last, and whether there are safety concerns that is, will the PEX tubing leach chemicals into his drinking water? The real downside (other than cost) is that it requires some additional planning for fittings and connections, and can't be used in a small diameter home-run system like pex can. The company holds an unofficial record for resisting high temperature and pressure, McGrath says, holding up to 175 pounds per. In most cases, no. So if you don't like waiting for hot water, you're back to a circulation loop. Comparing the types of Pex connections available. The ring or clamp is then secured by a dedicated tool to ensure a proper fit. There are three types of PEX tubing available for plumbers: PEX A, PEX B, and PEX C. The primary differences between these three materialsarethe methodsthat the manufacturer usesin order tocreate them. Stainless Steel, A handful of plastic fittings wont make asignificantdifference, but over the course of an entire system, the loss inflow and orpressure can really add up. 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved. The downside is that, as far as I know, there's no way to do any work on it without a special heat welding system. Standard PEX fitting: 0.350", Sources: http://www.uponorpro.com/~/media/Extranet/Files/plumbing%20literature/AquaPEXProPEX_Compare_C274_0211.aspx?sc_lang=en

Without delving too far into highly technical information about the processesused in making these different types of PEX, here is a quick break down of what the most notable characteristics of each type are, and why you might want to choose one over the other. PEX, of course, is the industry term for cross-linked polyethylene. Polyethylene cross-linked tubing, better known as PEX, is a fine addition to the industrious do-it-yourself plumbers arsenal. There is no reason to doubt their integrity, but a lot of us would rather wait and see what their long term reliability is. The lettered designations arent grades, just references to the manufacturing process. A handful of plastic fittings wont make asignificantdifference, but over the course of an entire system, the loss inflow and orpressure can really add up. However,if you are experiencing flow issues or poor pressure it may be beneficial toincrease the diameter. Head over to Boshart's Knowledge Base: technical product information, guidelines, and more. of General Wire Spring. In this guide, well cover all the different ways to identify the type and size of PEX tubing youre using, comparing the different fitting options available on the market, installation methods, and a few other tips and tricks you should know. You might not even have to imagine it; you may be routinely experiencing it. The fittings have virtually the same inside diameteras the pipe, creating less restriction and often allowing for smaller pipe sizes. You can also see it clearly if you have physical access -- the fittings are clearly smaller on the inside than the tubing. PEX, of course, is the industry term for cross-linked polyethylene. Reply to Steve A quick look at the specs will confirm this. Brasses, orStainlessSteel. Mixed plumbing He has narrowed the choice to one of two types of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX): PEX-A or PEX-B. Comments on this site are submitted by users and are not endorsed by nor do they reflect the views or opinions of COLE Publishing, Inc. Push-to-connect fittings conform to the ASSE 1067 standard. copper fittings pipe plumbing ac refrigeration refrigerator tools fitting tee names water pipes reducing sizes charts hvac interested indiamart ask

It made me think about some questions other contractors might be contemplating when it comes to installing PEX piping systems, such as . That entirely depends on the quality of your water and what is in it. Not even very close, either. With strength thats been tested to twice the force of brass, astainless steelfitting really is the best of both worlds, theres no other fitting on the market that can match it feature-for-feature. Most tools will not release until the connection is complete. Identifying the different types of PEX tubing, There are three types of PEX tubing available for plumbers: PEX A, PEX B, and PEX C. The primary differences between these three materialsarethe methodsthat the manufacturer uses. Thelimiting factorto stainless steel fittings (if you could call it that) is thatCold expansion fittings are not available, they are only availablein. That's as expected. If I understand Richard McGrath correctly, he is a big fan of Uponor tubing. Another concern is that because these parts are relatively easy to purchase at a variety of retailers, it means any untrained individual can purchase and install these types of fittings. But thereiscertainly better or worse options, depending on what your specific needs are in your plumbing system. We've looked at that on a couple houses, but in both cases the owner's opted for either full PP or full PEX. How likely are you to spring a leak? Nocomplex soldering or messy gluing is required, and the tubing can be easily fished through walls and around cornerstry that with copper or PVC pipe! have similarinside diametersto metal cold expansion PEX fittingsand do not negatively affect the flow. Note that plastic Cold Expansion PEX (CEP) fittings. PEX also resists corrosion, pitting and scale buildup, so theres never a concern about pinhole leaks or restricted water flow. As opposed to pinch clamp tools where one tool works on multiple sizeof clamps. Note that plastic Cold Expansion PEX (CEP) fittingshave similarinside diametersto metal cold expansion PEX fittingsand do not negatively affect the flow. Stainless Steel Fittings, Slide the ring into position over a point where the pipe and the fitting overlap. Stainless Steel, http://www.uponorpro.com/~/media/Extranet/Files/plumbing%20literature/AquaPEXProPEX_Compare_C274_0211.aspx?sc_lang=en, http://s3.supplyhouse.com/manuals/1295550221872/44591_PROD_FILE.pdf. One should be aware that PEXpiping hasa smaller inside diameter than copper pipe of the same nominal size, 3. The go/no-go gauge will also help determine if the crimp tool needs to be recalibrated. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4921841, '9b1f5501-c7a0-4188-b0f7-6d554f45c741', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Head over to Boshart's Knowledge Base: technical product information, guidelines, and more. Once youve determined which type of PEX tubing you need, you will need to choose the fittings. The heat welding systems for PP aren't terribly expensive for residential pipe sizes (<2"), around $1k if I recall correctly. While the nuances between different materials and products can seem insignificant to anyonewhodoesnt know, choosing mismatched orinadequatecomponents in a plumbing system can be catastrophic for countless reasons. Ultimately, its up to you to determine what choice makes the most sense for your unique situation. Is there any research that suggests that chemicals leaching from pex pipes would stay isolated within what is a common, open water supply? Determining the sizeof your PEX isfairly easy, it is printed along the side of the PEX pipe. If youre completely new to plumbing, the investment in the tools to start with any one of these systems is anotherfactortoconsider. Does this widely recommended type of plumbing contain hazardous materials? While there are manuallyoperated hand tools that can be used for cold expansion PEX plumbing, the most common type for most plumbers are battery operated hand tools. In general, the type of PEX a plumber uses primarily comes down to personal preference. construction details. This will of course vary depending on your specific use case, but for safeguarding against things like water hammer (shockwaves sent through your plumbing system when a valve is shut off too quickly) or manufacturing defects, metal is the superior choice. The issue is not fitting strength. Although these fittings are easy toinstalland great for repairsthe cost tends to be prohibitivefor new installations, as they are sometimes 5-10x more expensive than their crimp ring or pinch clamp counterparts. Crimp Ring Connections / Pinch Clamp Connections. But after reading this thread, I think I will reinstall my wholehouse water filter. For one, PEX is flexible, so it can bend with each change in direction. The complete source for building, designing, and remodeling green homes. The method in which a manufacturer performs the cross linking is what denotes what type of PEX (A, B, or C) it is. If youre starting from scratch on a new plumbing project, you can choose what type of PEX you want to use based on some of the above benefits. In this guide, well cover all the different ways to identify the type and size of PEX tubing youre using, comparing the different fitting options available on the market, installation methods, and a few other tips and tricks you should know. Uponor fitting: 0.378" Stainless Steel Fittings, That always leads to the next, and most important, question . This feature has been temporarily disabled during the beta site preview. Especially in cases where a PEX fitting is being married to an alternate form of pipewith copper tube size(CTS)copper,CPVCandsometypes oftubing. Certain types of PEX can even expand up to three times the pipes diameter. It doesnt matter if youre a homeowner making a repair or youre a worker entering the plumbing trade for the first time: its an important skill to know how to identify the PEX plumbing you have on hand, what factors to consider when installing it, and how you know that youre choosing all the bestcomponentsto set you up for success. Depending on the fitting, insert a stiffening sleeve into the PEX pipe. Push the pipe into the fitting per the manufacturers instructions. The outside diametercan be measured using a vernier caliper. It would be interesting to see some third-party reporting about it. In general, the type of PEX a plumber uses primarily comes down to personal preference. Seems like a no brainer to use them. PP Often, it is a balance between choosing a fitting that will work with your system, that is economical for the size of budget you have for the job, and the type of investment you want to make in the tools to get the job done. PEX-B is slightly less flexible and less freeze-resistant.

pex multichoice The tools are close to onesizefitsall, with the exception of the expansion heads, which need to be changed out for different pipe sizes. Boshart Industries is the first-to-market withStainlessSteel also meaning you can only find these products with us. PEX supply lines speed up installation and lower the risk of frost damage, Researchers still aren't sure how it affects water, and certification standards may be failing to test for compounds that affect water quality, Careful planning and commonsense rough-in make a well-performing, safe, and easily maintained system guaranteed. In general, we recommend matching what already exists in your system. In addition, when the PEX pipe is put under pull stresses, connections can more easily fail. The differences between the three are not necessarily that of grade or performance. The trade-off is thatcrimptype PEXtheyhavea thickerwallthan metal fittings, sincethe fitting goesinside of thePEX pipe, water flow can be severely restricted. Brass is susceptible to dezincification, and in certain water condition it has been known to cause seriousproblems resulting in property damage due to leaking or cracked fittings. Alternatively, apush fitfitting uses a combination of these materials. Especially because PEX itself does not corrode (in general), theres only one place that the corrosion will target: your fittings. As you can imagine, there are pros and cons to each choice that well briefly outline below. If youre starting from scratch on a new plumbing project, you can choose what type of PEX you want to use based on some of the above benefits. Other types of fittings used with PEX are crimp, clamp, press andcompression, any of which are less expensive but require specialized tools. Which Type of Dehumidifier Is Right for You? pex Slide the ring into position over a point where the pipe and the fitting overlap. Cold expansion with PEX-reinforcing rings. Especially in cases where a PEX fitting is being married to an alternate form of pipewith copper tube size(CTS)copper,CPVCandsometypes oftubing. Get Commercial Plumbing articles, news and videos right in your inbox! For indoor plumbing, the most common PEX tubing is one half-inch, which boasts a higher flow rate than copper pipe of the same size. Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to this article as well as GBAs complete library of premium articles and The process for making a connection on a square-cut, clean pipe is as follows. Any concerns about the reliability of these pieces? Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com. Along with that, faster installations with fewer callbacks or rework are probably also a priority. Now that youve identified the type of PEX youre using, we can begin examining what type of fitting might make the most sense for your needs. A brasssleeveand nut areinstalledover the end of the PEXpipe or CTStubing, and then thepipe isinsertedinto the fitting. In general, we recommend matching what already exists in your system. (Some PEX manufacturers offer a pipe life expectancy of more than 100 years.) For many plumbers, the investment in thispowertoolpays back quickly insaved time makinga highnumber ofconnectionsevery day. Florida Plumber Changes Lives Around the World, Case Study: Vent Pipe Filter's Aesthetics Fit Landscaping, Current Plumbing Industry Trends You Need to Know, Making the Connection With PEX: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, General Pipe Cleaners, div. Comparing the materials of various fittings, PEX fittings aremost commonly madeup of one of three different types of materials. For more information on Stainless Steel Pex Fittings, Click Here. Requiring no special tools whatsoever,theseconnectionscanbe made entirely by hand. Slide the PEX-reinforcing ring over the end of the pipe. Since oxygen cancause many heating system components to rust and corrode, baseboard or radiant heating applications require the use ofoxygen barrier PEX, offered in grades of PEX-A and PEX-B. A specializedtoolis required tocomplete thepressconnection. However, if you are experiencing flow issues or poor pressure it may, be beneficial toincrease the diameter. There are opportunities to send a sample of your water off to a lab to be tested, but for the average person, this is more involved than they care to get. There are actually three types of PEX, as a reference article supplied by GBA senior editor Martin Holladay explains (see the Related articles sidebar below). Were Gallatins Greatest Plumber and Heating & A/C Service. I am on a well, he writes. Slide a clamp ring over the end of the PEX pipe. Using an expansion tool, expand the pipe per the manufacturers instructions. PEX A is not inherently better than PEX C. The different types of PEX help plumbers determine what form of fitting to use and what characteristics the tube will have. For most installers, callbacks and rework are the worst. Boshart Industries is the first-to-market withStainlessSteel also meaning you can only find these products with us. Uponor fittings are not Copyright 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Installing Rigid Foam Above Roof Sheathing, Climate Activists React to Dont Look Up. If they are fittings of nearly any other type, youll know its most likely PEX B or possibly PEX C, and you can buy accordingly. fastened by copper crimprings or SSpinch clamps. If youre interested in using stainless steel fittings but cant find a distributor near you who sells them, get in touch with us and we will get you connected as soon as possible. The differences between the three are not necessarily that of grade or performance. Tags: water heater pex hook domestic electric canada connection heaters 1. If there are chemicals leaching from the pex, they are probably going to similarly end up present in all the house's water. The main downside of Sharkbite fittings is their price. Many installers Ive talked to dont even own one. polypropylene You will seesmall variations in density, burst pressure levels and bend radiuses between PEX pipe types, but theyre negligible. But, if youre planning on doing routine plumbing, it might benefit you tolook at specialized tools that will reduce installation time and are easier touse. Simply look at a section of plumbing that is intact, particularly around any joints.

Plumbing, In addition to thehighercost of thesefittings, the additionalcost ofanentire settoolingthat a plumber mustinvest into clamp the different diameters ofPressPEXfittingsmake this system less desirable to many. Plumbing, If youre using PEX A piping, Cold Expansion PEX (CEP) fittings are the most common type of fitting that youll see being used and are exclusive to PEX A. components in a plumbing system can be catastrophic for countless reasons. All you Need to Know about Insert Fittings, 3 More Steps you Can Take to Prevent Plumbing Failure, 3 Steps You Can Take to Protect Your Plumbing. Cold expansion with PEX-reinforcing rings fall under the ASTM F1960 standard. Although thats where the discussion starts, GBA readers quickly turn to another potential issue: Whats the best way of achieving a leak-free connection between tubing and fittings? The simplestand easiestconnectionto make,no special toolsarerequired. Preventative Maintenance, Copyright 2022 Williams Plumbing, Civil Construction, Engineering, Transparency in Coverage - Machine Readable Files, How to Do a Heat Load Calculation (Manual J), Hydronic vs Forced-Air vs Mini-Split Systems. Simply look at a section of plumbing that is intact, particularly around any joints. Uponor fittings Slide a crimp ring over the end of the PEX pipe. dwv sanitary If they are fittings of nearly any other type, youll know its most likely PEX B or possibly PEX C, and you can buy accordingly. Any input as to the longevity and safety of these two different types of pipes?. Join your colleagues who already get great content delivered right to their inbox. Thanks, Malcolm. Most of the builders I know are comfortable using them in locations where they are exposed but are still reticent to bury them in walls. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. Online retailer Supplyhouse.com sells a widevariety of PEX tubing, fittings, and tools. Essentially, the installer is trying to determine whether or not the connection is too loose (resulting in the potential for leaks), or too tight (resulting in the possibility of damaged pipe or fittings, another potential leak point). What about push-to-connect Requirea special tool to make the connection. This is important when comparing how the connections function over time. Of course, what your local plumbing supply store carries will also impact your decision. Metalcrimpfittings, such as brass, tackle the problem of thickness head-on. I had a plumber work on my system recently, and he used Sharkbite push-to-connect fittings to change around some of the pex lines. How much does strength matter? Inner diameters for 1/2 nominal products: Uponor PEX tubing: 0.475" The scariest part about the go/no-go gauge is when there isnt one. Building his forever house, Dean Sandbo is mulling what type of tubing to use for his plumbing supply lines. We regularly publish new blogs and content that will help you become more comfortable and confident with our products. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. This inevitably leads to a higher occurrence of dry fits; i.e., a connection that was overlooked and never crimped. In short, PEX is more durable and provides longer system longevity with less time and material invested in the installation. PEX plumbing has mademakinginstallationeasier and more economical. Especially because PEX itself does not corrode (in general), theres only one place that the corrosion will target: your fittings. MS, ASTM International, a standards organization, requires that the life expectancy for PEX pipe be at least 50 years. A set of dedicatedtooling isrequired if working with different diameters of PEX. expansion tank water st amtrol

Response to MS Use a go/no-go gauge to verify each connection has been made properly. The 1/2-inch size is most commonly used; 3/8-, 5/8- and 3/4-inch sizes are also available. Again, no surprise. If not, leave a small space at the end of the ring before starting the connection. Photo: ViegaPEX Press Starter Kit from Supplyhouse.com. , and in certain water condition it has been known to cause serious, problems resulting in property damage due to leaking or cracked fit. What do I want to achieve with my installations? The easiest to use are brasspush-fit fittings, which simply bite into the tubing. Its primary benefit is that once bent, PEX-AL-PEX holds its shape and doesnt need to be tied down every few feet. Soldering with copper piping is long on its way out as the preferred method of plumbing,due to its higher cost. For Richard McGrath, PEX-A is at the top of the heap. These gauges vary by manufacturer, as do their operations, but the job of the gauge is consistent. They're just *less* restricted than typical PEX fittings. fittings, such as brass, tackle the problem of thickness head-on. As you can imagine, there are pros and cons to each choice that well briefly outline below. If youre making a repair to an existing PEX system, youll want to identify what type of PEX is currently being used so you can match it. Dustin's idea Types A, B, and C are manufactured differently, which affects characteristics such as flexibility, resistance to chlorine and oxidation, coil memory, and cost. Follow any additional manufacturers instructions.

Copper crimp rings fall under two standards: ASTM F1807 for metal insert fittings and ASTM F2159 for plastic insert fittings. My purpose is to generate greater awareness of the offerings available and to clear up any concerns or misinterpretations installers may have. The process for making a connection on a square-cut, clean pipe is as follows. No matter whatyou go with, its hard to make a wrong choice. Polypropylene is great as far as taste and is also one of the better plastics as far as environmental impact of manufacturing. The bottom line: PEX is more durable than copper, and it lasts longer. If youre making a repair to an existing PEX system, youll want to identify what type of PEX is currently being used so you can match it. PEX fittings aremost commonly madeup of one of three different types of materials:Plastics,Brasses, orStainlessSteel. Nothing hurts the bottom line more. Rather, the PEX material is soft enough that the teeth inside the fitting will scrape away the pipe until it slides off completely. I won't worry about changing out the Sharkbites then. That's fine -- lots of people have favorite brands.

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