Want To Install PEX Piping?
December 16th, 2010PEX plumbing was developed in the 1960s and is more formally called ‘cross-linked polyethylene’. Although an old technology it is only recently being used in U.S. plumbing. A popular application of PEX piping is in radiant heat systems.
PEX is a bendable plastic pipe that has been toughened by a special chemical process that gives strength to the polyethylene. This product has been swiftly gaining popularity to serve as a supply pipe for plumbing use in residential areas. The piping is able to withstand a wide temperature range all the way from subfreezing to 180 degrees F. {The installation of PEX pipe is relatively inexpensive so you can kiss that high plumberâs bill good-bye!|Installing PEX piping is simpler than copper and this significantly reduces the overall cost of installation.} {PEX pipe is much quieter in operation than the traditional materials that are used in pipe manufacture|Another benefit is that PEX piping is quieter than the fixed pipe systems traditionally used}. {You can connect {PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings} rather easily, and it can be bent in order to follow corners in much the same manner as when you use a water irrigation system|{PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings|PEX fittings} are much simpler than soldering or gluing fixed pipe and can bend around corners reducing the need for joints which is where most piping eventually fails}. {It is also commonly used in many European countries as well as in the United States for snow melting application and radiant heating|It is used world-wide for heated drive ways or sidewalks to melt snow in adition to many other radiant heat applications}.
{PEX can be used ideally in hot as well as in cold water systems|Due to its durability it is perfect for hot and cold water systems}. {It is also used in ice skating rinks and refrigeration warehouses|It has become popular with skating rinks and commercial refrigeration due to the reduce risk of breakage from freezing}. {It is best to check with your local authority if you want to install PEX, as some building codes have not been changed to use this product|Ultimtely check with your local authority as not all building code have been updated to allow PEX to be used}. {PEX is not suitable for outdoor, above ground use because it has to be kept out of direct exposure to sunlight|One application that PEX can not be used for is in above ground system as it is not UV protected and can withstand direct sunlight}.
{PEX requires fewer directional fittings; therefore, it is quicker and easier to install this than other products|Another big benefit of PEX is there are fewer fittings to work with making it simpler and easier to use}. {A great deal of plumbing problems will occur at the joints|Over time most plumbing problems come from failed joints}. {However, with PEX this will occur in fewer places in the system|Thankfully, PEX’s flexibility enables it to have fewer joints}.
{How to Install PEX Plumbing|On To Installing PEX Tubing}
{You install PEX by a crimp-ring system|PEX uses a crimp-ring/compression system}. {It will help to make tightly sealed connections that are permanent and leak proof|That is how you get your sealed connection as opposed to using a glue or soldering}. {Strong brass fittings are put into one end of the PEX pipe|First a strong brass fitting is placed into the end of the tubing}. {Now make use of a crimp tool that has a positive interlocking jaw action|Next you take a crimping tool that has an inter-locking jaw}, {then crimp a copper ring onto the pipe|lastly you place a copper ring around the tube and fitting and crimp it}.
{Tools|Tools Required|Required Tools|Necessary Tools|Tools Neccessary}
{You should have the following tools on hand|Before your begin make sure you have the following available}:
⢠Full-circle crimping tool
⢠Utility knife
⢠Copper manifolds
⢠PEX crimp fittings
⢠Shutoff valves
⢠Flexible tubing cutter
⢠Go/Go-go gauge
⢠PEX supply pipe
⢠Transition fittings
⢠Copper and plastic hangers
{Connecting Pipes|Making Pipe Connections|Connecting The Piping}
⢠{First thing to do is to measure and cut tubing|First you measure and cut the tubing to length}. {Take care that you create NO burrs (if you have a good cutting tool, this will help prevent these)|Be careful to not create any burrs (having a high quality cutting too will avoid this)}. {Ineffective tools cause improper connections|This is a case where cheap or improper tools can cause a bad connection}.
* {Fit a crimp ring onto the tubing|Place the crimp-ring onto the piping}. {Do NOT use a hose clamp|Hose clamps are not appropriate}.
* {Insert fitting into the tubing all the way to the fitting shoulder|Slide the fitting into the pipe up to the fitting’s shoulder}.
* {Place crimp ring approximately 1/8″ to ¼” from end of tube|Slide the crimp-ring roughly 1/8″ to 1/4″ from the end of the pipe}. {Weak connections will result from improperly positioned rings|Outside of that range can cause a weak connection resulting in leakage}.
* {Now make use of the crimping tool and completely cover crimp ring by the jaws of the tool|The last step is to use the crimping tool to compress the ring onto the tubing}. {Make sure you maintain a 90-degree angle, and close ring completely|It is important to maintain a 90 degree angle and ensure a completely closed crimp-ring}.
{PEX plumbing is very easy to install by homeowners that do small jobs around the house|The beauty of PEX plumbing is that it can be installed, reapaired and maintained by the homeowner much more easily than fixed-pipe can be}. {Be sure to use quality tools that are in very good condition so that you will have an efficient end result|It can’t be stressed enough to use quality tools that are in good shape, otherwise you risk a future of leaking pipes}.
{Inspect Your Work|Don’t Forget To Inspect}
{You should use a bit of finesse to inspect your job|When you are done you must inspect all joint work}. {It is quite important that you finish the joint job correctly|To avoid a future of repair bills make sure each joint is properly crimped}. {Here are some things you should look for|When you are inspecting look for these things}:
* {The ring has been crimped over the tubingâs end|A proper crimp at each tube’s ends}.
* {Not enough ribs are covered|ensure enough ribs are covered}.
* {Crimp tool is not at a 90-degree angle|The crimp tool was not at 90 degrees to the piping}.. {The plastic has been dented and there the ribs have not been covered adequately|The piping wil have been dented and the ribs not completely covered}
* {The copper crimp ring has not been completely covered by the crimping tool|Signs that the crimp-ring was not properly covered by the crimping tool}. {The ring is distorted with a crimp that is not uniform|The ring will be distorted and not create a uniform crimp}.
* {The tubing has not been squarely cut|All tubing has been squrely cut}. {It doesnât cover the ribs of fitting|Fitting ribs will be exposed}.