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DIY Re-Plumbing with PEX Plumbing Tubing

One of the biggest advantages of PEX tubing or plumbing over brass piping is how easy it is to install and maintain. Nevertheless, there are certain things that every homeowner needs to know and remember even as when re-plumbing your piping and switch to PEX from brass.

Brass pipes have thinner walls than PEX pipes which results in decreased water pressure, since the water has a larger area to flow through. With this in mind, it is usually a brilliant idea to replace copper pipes with PEX tubing that is one size larger, for example, use PEX plumbing pipe for 1/4" brass tubing.

Some of the tools that are likely to be needed include PEX crimp fittings, full-circle PEX crimping tool, shut off valves, flexible tubing cutter, PEX supply pipe and transition fittings. Do not cut corners when it comes to using the right tools. Cheap or inappropriate tools will result in poor connections and, an ineffective piping system that will ultimately cost more to fix than what would have been used originally with the right equipment.

PEX tubing makes use of crimp-ring or compression system. This ensures that the connections are sealed tightly and drastically reduces the chances of future leakages. The crimp-ring should ideally be placed 1/8" to 1/4" from the end of the pipe. Use of measurements that are not within this range is likely to result in a weak connection that will ultimately end up leaking. Hose clamps should not be used in place of crimp-rings.

The crimping tool must be used at a 90 degree angle otherwise the ribs will not be fully covered, and the piping will get dents in it.

Ensure that the pinch or crease PEX tubing is not folded while handling them. Also, take care not to walk on it.

Welding PEX pipes does not usually require dire precautionary measures other than the usual care that needs to be taken with the equipment used. The process hardly has any significant, unpleasant side effects since it is normally not noisy and produces little dirt. Soldering usually takes up around 220V.

All the joint work must be given a second look before the plumbing can be declared done. Each tube ending should have an appropriate crimp. The crimp-ring will be bent out of shape and will not give a consistent crimp if it was not covered well by the crimping tool. Some of the fitting ribs may also be left exposed if the tubing is not properly cut.

Happy plumbing (with PEX, of course)!

PEX Tubing, Radiant Heat Manifolds, Taco Circulator Pumps, Takagi Water Heaters