Both types of tubing come in three colorsred, white, and bluein diameters ranging from 1/4-inch to 3 inches. 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 best, While the nuances between different materials and products can seem insignificant to anyone. A quick look at the specs will confirm this. These fittings are also incredibly resistant to corrosion. Determining the sizeof your PEX isfairly easy, it is printed along the side of the PEX pipe. Installing Rigid Foam Above Roof Sheathing, Climate Activists React to Dont Look Up. Ultimately, its up to you to determine what choice makes the most sense for your unique situation. Use a go/no-go gauge to verify each connection has been made properly. The distance from the edge of the pipe varies, based on material type and manufacturer. One should be aware that PEXpiping hasa smaller inside diameter than copper pipe of the same nominal size. In most cases, no. Using an expansion tool, expand the pipe per the manufacturers instructions. Perhaps the least common type of PEX fitting, press fittings are a single piece that includes both fitting and fastener in one. Chemicals added to a plumbing system (as when you drip chlorinate) are considered to be fully dispersed after 4 diameters of pipe length. 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. Seems like a no brainer to use them. Stainless steel clamp rings fall under the ASTM F2098 standard. 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. Mixed plubing Cold expansion with PEX-reinforcing rings. Compression fittings do not require any special tools beyond two wrenches. Thanks for pointing out the Legend Hyperpure alternative. He can be reached at dan.hubbard@uponor.com. 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. 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 differences between the three are not necessarily that of grade or performance. No matter whatyou go with, its hard to make a wrong choice. I could see doing it in a very large house, though. Whether this means the cost is thus enabling or prohibitive is a matter of interpretation. 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. Requiring no special tools whatsoever,theseconnectionscanbe made entirely by hand. The main downside of Sharkbite fittings is their price. Slide the ring into position over a point where the pipe and the fitting overlap. If cost is your number one priority, its impossible to beat plastic fittings in a PEX system. PEX-B is slightly less flexible and less freeze-resistant. Cold expansion with PEX-reinforcing rings fall under the ASTM F1960 standard. 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. 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. Thelimiting factorto stainless steel fittings (if you could call it that) is thatCold expansion fittings are not available, they are only availableinCrimp PEX fittings (ASTM-F1807)fastened by copper crimprings or SSpinch clamps. While there are power tools that can make crimp ring connections, it is still more common to find manuallyoperated hand tools in a plumbers toolbox. The method in which a manufacturer performs the cross linking is what denotes what type of PEX (A, B, or C) it is. components in a plumbing system can be catastrophic for countless reasons. A specializedtoolis required tocomplete thepressconnection. The tools are close to onesizefitsall, with the exception of the expansion heads, which need to be changed out for different pipe sizes. How likely are you to spring a leak? PEX. Uponor fittings are not "unrestricted" or "full flow". 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. 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. polypropylene If there are chemicals leaching from the pex, they are probably going to similarly end up present in all the house's water. The PEXpipe isattachedontothebarb of thefittingand under the sleeve. Plumbers use other fittings, WHICH WILL WORK, however, if plumber/consumer want the manufacturer to honor a warranty to claim, they better have used the Uponor fittings. Were Gallatins Greatest Plumber and Heating & A/C Service. PEX-A is produced with a better manufacturing process than PEX-B as the crosslinking takes place during the extrusion process, McGrath writes. It made me think about some questions other contractors might be contemplating when it comes to installing PEX piping systems, such as . Most rings have a stop on the end of it. The bottom line: PEX is more durable than copper, and it lasts longer. 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. Dustin, I think that's a great idea. Especially because PEX itself does not corrode (in general), theres only one place that the corrosion will target: your fittings. Note that plastic Cold Expansion PEX (CEP) fittingshave similarinside diametersto metal cold expansion PEX fittingsand do not negatively affect the flow. For one, PEX is flexible, so it can bend with each change in direction. 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. How much does strength matter? construction details. This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse.com. in order tocreate them. Plumbing, Note that plastic Cold Expansion PEX (CEP) fittings. Itprobably doesnt make sense to invest in a completepower toolsystem that is going to break the bank. These gauges vary by manufacturer, as do their operations, but the job of the gauge is consistent. Any input as to the longevity and safety of these two different types of pipes?. You can also see it clearly if you have physical access -- the fittings are clearly smaller on the inside than the tubing. Inner diameters for 1/2 nominal products: Uponor PEX tubing: 0.475" 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. A crimp ring requires the jaws of the tool to go over the PEX tube and around the ring for clamping, but a pinch clamp only requires the ends of the jaw be able to access the smallearon the clamp. We regularly publish new blogs and content that will help you become more comfortable and confident with our products. That's as expected. 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. Photo: ViegaPEX Press Starter Kit from Supplyhouse.com. They're just *less* restricted than typical PEX fittings. The issue is not fitting strength. The easiest to use are brasspush-fit fittings, which simply bite into the tubing. (Some PEX manufacturers offer a pipe life expectancy of more than 100 years.) The outside diametercan be measured using a vernier caliper. Follow any additional manufacturers instructions. Donna Boyle Schwartz, 11 Ways to Make the Most of Your Towns Curbside Cleanup Day, The One Drawback of PEX Pipe Even Plumbers Didn't See Coming. The question remains, which isn't necessarily answered in this article, does one risk using a fitting system other than Uponor, if by doing so you would likely have no warranty coverage. Standard PEX fitting: 0.350", Sources: http://www.uponorpro.com/~/media/Extranet/Files/plumbing%20literature/AquaPEXProPEX_Compare_C274_0211.aspx?sc_lang=en Recently, I came across an online article that featured contractors experiences with various types of cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX, connection systems crimp, clamp, push-to-connectand cold expansion. If you are using Uponor tubing, you need to use Uponor fittings. If not, leave a small space at the end of the ring before starting the connection. This is important when comparing how the connections function over time. 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. Insert the fitting into the pipe until the shoulder of the expansion ring touches the shoulder of the fitting. Get Commercial Plumbing articles, news and videos right in your inbox! Uponor fittings In general, we recommend matching what already exists in your system. Push-to-connect fittings conform to the ASSE 1067 standard. Certain types of PEX can even expand up to three times the pipes diameter. I hope that will change, but for now I'd be hesitant to install that system unless there are at least two plumbers in your area who have good reputations and have the tools to work on it. 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! In addition, when the PEX pipe is put under pull stresses, connections can more easily fail. 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. Most tools will not release until the connection is complete. 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). Is there a right or wrong option? Ultimately, its up to you to determine what choice makes the most sense for your unique situation. 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. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com. Because all three types of PEX tubing must meet ASTM F876 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 standards, plumbers can rest assured that their choice will be up to code. Using a crimp tool, compress the crimp ring until the tool stops. If cost is your number one priority, its impossible to beat plastic fittings in a PEX system. Tags: pex Also known as PEX-AL-PEX, aluminum barrier PEX is three-layertubing that consists of a layer of PEX, a layer of aluminum, and another layer of PEX. Thanks, Malcolm. If they are cold expansion fittings, you know PEX A was used by the plastic PEX-A Ring / Sleeve. 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. 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. Comparing the materials of various fittings, PEX fittings aremost commonly madeup of one of three different types of materials. Boshart Industries is the first-to-market withStainlessSteel also meaning you can only find these products with us. Polypropylene is great as far as taste and is also one of the better plastics as far as environmental impact of manufacturing. Depending on the fitting, insert a stiffening sleeve into the PEX pipe. The biggest downfall with brass is its susceptibility to corrosion. 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. 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. 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. Of course, what your local plumbing supply store carries will also impact your decision. Acompression fitting may be an appropriate choice. Most other fittings that rely on rubber gaskets for their seal are fixtures, like faucets or hose bibs, where the consequences aren't as large if they do fail. One should be aware that PEXpiping hasa smaller inside diameter than copper pipe of the same nominal size, 3. Copper crimp rings fall under two standards: ASTM F1807 for metal insert fittings and ASTM F2159 for plastic insert fittings. 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. For more information on Stainless Steel Pex Fittings, Click Here. APush Fit fittingis pressed ontotheend of a PEXPipeand the connection iscomplete. Slide a crimp ring over the end of the PEX pipe. However, if you are experiencing flow issues or poor pressure it may, be beneficial toincrease the diameter. Boshart Industries is the first-to-market withStainlessSteel also meaning you can only find these products with us. How likely are you to spring a leak? Most plumbing applications, especially those involving potable water, call for the use of non-oxygen barrier PEX, offeredin several grades. PEX, of course, is the industry term for cross-linked polyethylene. Slide the ring into position over a point where the pipe and the fitting overlap. 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. I REALLY don't trust sharkbite fittings. dwv sanitary The scariest part about the go/no-go gauge is when there isnt one. It also makes the connection impossible to dry-fit. Many Twist Lock fittings are used on smaller diameter plastic pipe, but can be used on pex as well. I won't worry about changing out the Sharkbites then. A closer look at copper crimp, stainless steel clamp, push-to-connect and cold expansion with reinforcing rings. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. But thereiscertainly better or worse options, depending on what your specific needs are in your plumbing system. That entirely depends on the quality of your water and what is in it. In short, PEX is more durable and provides longer system longevity with less time and material invested in the installation. PP The trade-off is thatcrimptype PEXtheyhavea thickerwallthan metal fittings, sincethe fitting goesinside of thePEX pipe, water flow can be severely restricted. Chase Away Winters Chill with Radiant Heat, A Few Things to Consider When Installing a Radiant Heat System. Reply to Steve , and in certain water condition it has been known to cause serious, problems resulting in property damage due to leaking or cracked fit. For most installers, callbacks and rework are the worst. If youre completely new to plumbing, the investment in the tools to start with any one of these systems is anotherfactortoconsider. In general, the type of PEX a plumber uses primarily comes down to personal preference. Using a crimp tool, compress the crimp ring until the tool stops. Become a GBA Prime member and get full access to GBA articles, enyclopedia, videos, CAD library, and more.