13
votes
Can I pull ethernet cable through 1/2" pex?
Assuming it's got no fittings with sharp corners, probably.
Use a vacuum cleaner to suck a string (or pulling tape) through, rather than fussing with a fish tape. Don't cut the tube and you might even ...
- 134k
13
votes
Elbow or just bend PEX pipe through wall
There are two ways of running PEX (generally) - the people who treat it like straight pipe and have a bazillion fittings, and the people who treat it like the flexible tubing it is, and have fewer ...
- 134k
11
votes
Accepted
Is putting a pex tube underground and then through a concrete slab OK?
Sleeve It
When running any tubing (PEX, ABS, PVC) through concrete you need to de-couple it, Even 6mil plastic suffices, but sill guard is better. A tubing sleeve (e.g. 1.5in ABS) like you propose ...
- 10.2k
10
votes
Should I replace all the copper pipe in my heating system with PEX?
How often does your heating system spring a leak? It's not particularly often in my (long) experience with closed-crcuit hot water heating systems - less than once per 20 years, I'd say, and usually ...
- 134k
8
votes
How do I tap into the PEX water supply line?
First you need to cut the PEX tubing at the access spot. That can be done with a PEX tubing cutter.
Then you acquire the correct type fitting (your size requirement may differ from picture) to rejoin ...
- 61.4k
8
votes
Accepted
How to remove a stuck Sharkbite connector from a PEX tube?
Try pushing the pipe in a bit, before pulling it out. Sometimes the barbs dig into the pipe, so the release ring can't disengage them. Pushing the pipe in, may allow the release to completely ...
- 128k
8
votes
What material pipe to carry water to a detached garage
I don't know California specifics, but "Polyethylene well water pipe" is a common material for direct burial installation - get the 200 PSI version for the thickest walls / most durability.
...
- 134k
7
votes
Is it possible to use a hot water recirculation pump with a PEX home run system?
There are two issues to the time needed for hot water; one: the home run from the manifold to the faucet and two: the feed line from the hot water heater through the manifold. The key is to know how ...
- 71
7
votes
Accepted
Is it a problem that PEX emerging from the walls is floppy
You need a pex stub-out bracket that attaches to the studs:
And a 90 pex support that attaches to the bracket:
It would be nice to have a sleeve and a escutcheon:
Your PEX will still be a little ...
- 4,382
7
votes
Should I upgrade to 3/4" pipe all the way to my new pex manifold?
Is the manifold 3/4? If you have easy access to do it, then you are correct that now is the time to do it.
- 18.8k
7
votes
Accepted
Can polyalloy (plastic) pex fittings be used with both styles of attachment rings?
TLDR: Yes, either type of attachment ring can be used. At least in the USA, these products have to conform to standards which make this so. Additionally, some manufacturers specifically state this is ...
- 4,944
7
votes
Accepted
PEX pipe burst: what else needs to be fixed to prevent it happening again?
PEX pipe does not corrode or otherwise interact with copper or other materials the way dissimilar metals do. It's essentially an inert substance under normal circumstances.
The bulges and darkened ...
- 20.4k
7
votes
Accepted
Can PEX be installed in sections?
You can do it a bit at a time.
Of course, any bits that are leaking that you don't replace will continue to leak until you replace them.
You can (or could when I was shopping, it was some years back) ...
- 134k
7
votes
How can I create a plumbing disconnect for winterizing a cottage?
Is there an alternative that is better suited to this need?
Yes, it's called a tap. They're installed in all your sinks and showers/tubs.
At the lowest point of the plumbing you can access, install a ...
- 29.4k
6
votes
What brand are these pex threaded T connectors?
These are actualy "Qest" (pronounced "quest") brand fittings that were more popular 10-15 years ago (maybe further back). I remember in the early 2000's these were sold at Home Depot and Lowes back ...
- 26.6k
6
votes
Is copper piping required within a certain distance from a water heater?
Although copper may not be required, it is possible that PEX is prohibited.
One reason for this would be building codes / regulations. For instance, the UPC states:
604.11.2 Water Heater ...
- 4,944
6
votes
repiping house with PEX
I can answer the first 3 questions, having done a significant amount of research and a few plumbing repairs on the 3 houses I've owned, first with copper lines, second with pex "homerun" and ...
- 2,939
6
votes
What material pipe to carry water to a detached garage
Ask the supply house if they have a waterworks division or if they can give the name of a local waterworks distributor. (Ferguson is a national waterworks distributor who happens to have branches in a ...
- 19.6k
5
votes
What is the advantage of PEX pinch clamp vs. crimp rings?
I have been plumbing for 14 years,and I switched to using stainless rings almost exclusively about 5 years ago. Being able to use just one tool from 3/8" up to 1" was too much of an advantage to ...
- 51
5
votes
How to remove a stuck Sharkbite connector from a PEX tube?
I have worked with Sharkbites 100s of times as I often use these for quick jobs, especially in houses that are a copper and pex hybrid. Here are the easy tips for dealing with this:
To get the ...
- 46.2k
5
votes
Galvanized pipe life expectancy
40-50 years is a fair lifespan. I've seen plenty of houses with galvi that was 60+ years old without it failing, the real issue to me is if you want to wait until it fails to replace it.
Not greatly ...
- 101
5
votes
How do I Loosen a Stuck Threaded Brass Fitting?
You need two pipe wrenches - one for the pipe and one for the fitting so you don’t damage the other pipes.
However, I would likely go with a solder fitting to get to what you want if that is so tight.
- 20.9k
5
votes
Elbow or just bend PEX pipe through wall
When coming out of the wall or through a stud to bend up/down etc.. you'll rightfully need a right-angle elbow.
When "jogging" the line over an inch over several feet of length you don't ...
- 10.2k
4
votes
What is the advantage of PEX pinch clamp vs. crimp rings?
I have been in the plumbing trade most of my life, around 28 years. I can tell you that when it comes to tools, you get what you pay for. Cheap tools will perform poorly, and doesn't always do the job....
- 41
4
votes
Accepted
Should I replace all the copper pipe in my heating system with PEX?
I did this very thing (replaced copper with PEX for baseboard heating). But I did this because my copper had frozen and split in about 200 places.
So, if your copper is shot, I'd replace with PEX. ...
- 23.8k
4
votes
Should a water distribution manifold consist of a circular loop?
A circular manifold is not a hot water recirculating loop, though a hot water recirculating loop could conceivably be set up as a sort of large ring manifold. It is simply a manifold arranged as a ...
- 134k
4
votes
Should I run 1/2" pex from a manifold to each fixture or 3/4"?
The average fixture has no need for 3/4" inch, particularly with homerun piping from a manifold. 3/4" is really only needed for tub fillers with larger tubs, or showers with multiple shower heads.
...
- 1,172
4
votes
Accepted
Rough-in pex line
Yes. There is no code preventing this. Also this makes sense because all of your leak issues are in the same place.
One other bit of advice - before you close up the wall get rid of the the metal ...
- 46.2k
4
votes
1" pex through 3" pvc conduit?
The minimum bending radius for 1" Pex (the larger of your sizes) is listed as 9 inches. A typical 3" PVC sweep ell will have somewhere between 24 and 36" of radius. The only issue, then, is whether ...
- 105k
4
votes
Accepted
Plumbing rough-in pressure test PSI
According to IRC, for supply system testing. You have to test using the maximum working pressure (80 psi) of water, or 50 psi of air. And you have to maintain the pressure for 15 minutes.
For air ...
- 128k
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