Installing PEX pipes close to heating vents

Question

We are renovating all the bathrooms in our house that was built in the early 70s.

The plumber has replaced most of the copper pipes with PEX tubing. He has not replaced copper entirely and has coupled copper with PEX (see pics below). He connected the main water supply copper pipes to 1/4" PEX but then connected them to 1/2" PEX later. EDIT: made an error above....should be copper to 1/2" PEX and then connected to 3/4" PEX later. Shouldn't the main supply line be connected to the wider PEX if at all? How does one check that the clamps are properly fixed onto the connectors?

He has run PEX right next to main heating duxt from the furnace in the mechanical room (that supplies heat to the house) and in other places as well. Is this safe? Is a minimum clearance required between the PEX and heat vents?

Please see pictures of the shower rough-ins in two bathrooms. Is it normal to have so many joints and connectors? Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

Thanks

Answer 1

Great questions! Yeah, I agree that the 1/4" AIN'T RIGHT. Have him replace those sections. A body-spray setup needs all it can get.

Being close to Ductwork is fine, the hot water is hotter than the ductwork will ever get. FYI, the Blue PEX is just coloring and is exactly the same as the Red PEX. However, PEX cannot withstand a furnace flue's/exhaust pipe's temperatures, ensure PEX is not touching nor even within 2' (my requirement) of that Ductwork.

Yes, there is a way to test the Plumber's crimping workmanship. It's a Go/No-Go gauge and he should be using one himself...likely molded/carved onto his crimper. See https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/plumbing-tools/pex-tools/nibco-reg-go-no-go-pex-crimp-gauge/px01382r1/p-1444449294533.htm

So many fittings? Yep, kind of kills the "PEX advantage", doesn't it...soldering ain't slow and only gets A LOT faster in your kind of shower setup. I'm not a fan of PEX. It's only good for 50-years and copper is good for OVER 100-years (in most areas)...which house would you buy...sell in 20-years or less.

By the way, while you have some access to duct joints, liberally wrap the joints with Aluminum Foil Tape...the real duct tape.