Why Use PEX?

by Sammy

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Reasons to use PEX tubing in a DIY plumbing project.

  • tuvoca

    I like that you estimated the costs. Nice job. Thanks!

  • Rusty1220

    Use SharkBite fittings with pex pipe, it may be more expensive but they work great.

  • michaelcherr

    Yes, you can use a dremel. I did it when I changed plans a bit on the fly and decided to change out an elbow for a T.
    I slit throught the ring with a dremel (Hacksaw would probably work)
    Then pry the ring off with a screwdriver, then slit the PEX and pry it off.

    I bet it would be easier with the tool, but since the people reading this aren’t going to use it that much, save your tool storage space/$ for something you will use all the time – like the dremel.

  • kw757

    I’m not speaking from experience with PEX because I’ve never used it, but I would suspect that you could just use a Dremmel tool with a cutoff wheel to remove crimps instead of spending $30 on a crimp ring removal tool. Of course, that’s assuming that you already have a Dremmel.

  • justaguy777

    Nice vid. might be going with this route soon. My old galvanized pipes have horrible flow.

  • deezynar

    Hi, elboxo. Great question. All tubing offers resistance to the flow of a fluid. Each type of tubing: PEX, all the types of copper, PVC, iron pipe, etc. all have a different amount of resistance for a given length. That’s because some materials are slicker than others & also, a tube sold as 1/2″ inside diameter usually isn’t & each type of product varies from each of the others. Get some 1 to size it for you, or learn how to size it yourself. There are YT videos on it to get you started.

  • elboxo

    Sorry i was only wondering why you cant swap 3/4 pex for copper and it wouldnt work.Personnally i prefer copper but use alot of pex as its faster

  • deezynar

    Hi, elboxo. I got a notice that you replied to one of my comments w/ the question, “Why?”.
    I’d be happy to try to give an answer if you would be more specific. Take care.

  • elboxo

    Why?

  • deezynar

    vegasknight2, thanks for the input.
    A mechanical engineer or an architect must stamp commercial work, but residential doesn’t need it where I live. I agree w/ you that someone who knows how to lay out & size plumbing systems needs to do the design even on residential. You’re correct that it may be possible to swap a PEX tube for 1 of copper of the same size, but as you said, it depends on the application. That’s why I said you can’t *expect* it to work, you have to run the #s. Cheers.

  • vegasknight2

    Mechanical engineers should size all piping. Depending on your application, 3/4″ PEX tubing can be used in place of 3/4″ copper.

  • pbr2424

    Indirect sunlight. Zurn fittings. Kitec fittings. Great stuff……..Google it…….

  • deezynar

    Is1phsyco, Water supply systems MUST be designed for the specific material & brand that is used or you can expect trouble. By “design” I mean that every length of tube needs to be sized to carry the water that’ll go through it & not exceed a certain pressure loss. The sizing process must be done using the design manual from the tubing manufacturer. Copper can be designed using a code book, but PEX can’t. You can’t swap a 3/4″ PEX tube for a 3/4″ copper tube & expect it to work. Take care.

  • wwe107

    Why? Hard water and cheaper.

  • vanhufman

    With expansion you dont lose the diameter in the pipe. The pipe is being stretched over the fitting therefore there is no loss in size there being less wear when the water is forced into a smaller diameter fitting as in crimping. Expansion is more expensive in the tools and in the install because it takes more time then a one shot crimp.

  • 5thcorps

    What the hell is textight?

  • jbalt90

    The only problem i see is the type of pex your using. I’m a plumber and make repairs the PBL (polybutylene) pipe using the crimp fittings all the time. The crimp ring is copper, which corrodes, as you said. We use uponor wirsbo expansion pex connections,much better than the crimp style. I’ve heard of rats eating through the pex pipe, was just wondering if it was insulated. I think pex is good, but sometimes you need the strength of copper

  • jokersexclusive0

    Sounds like a bunch of angry plumbers to me. why in the world would one care if the plumbing lines behind their walls is square and looks good? Second, rats will eat anything including the crummy work union plumbers do to rob you. ATTENTION, Plumbing is easy. Try it and you will find out. No need to pay over priced plumbers and their unions again.

  • jlm993

    It is not illegal if it is my house.

  • jlm993

    I like pex, the thieves around here break in at night and rip out half of the rough in when you use copper.

  • kenx626555

    try finding a rat that made a home between your walls and under your house and in your attic, just chewing through that stuff like if it was peanut butter dam lego lovers cause thats what this product is. we are grown adults this pex stuff is child play,hate it with a passion very stupid invention i throw the book at whoever invented that shit!!!!thats what it is

  • kenx626555

    rats chew on that stuff to clean there teeth had a dozen service calls out here in cali on brand new homes!!!!had to tear all that stuff out waist of money!!!!!!sorry man just my honest opinion

  • gizmo106983

    hey bud i have never even heard of any body crimping pex we just use textight fittings

  • d1architect

    I appreciate this posting, honestly I do. However, next time could you edit a little bit better? The fade ins and outs were extremely confusing and made watching this frustrating

  • theseeker2001

    Plumber’s Complex = “The world couldn’t possibly survive a week without our vast knowledge and expertise – a homeowner isn’t qualified to turn on a tap without a qualified plumber present.” Reality: plumbing is the easiest of ALL of the facets of the building trade. Stupid Illegals plumb an entire house with this spaghetti shit up here in one day and it may be ugly but it works. I haven’t seen a new house done with anything but pex for the last few years…

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