With all the different kinds of available pipes on the market, it is important to discover more about PEX Pipes before buying and installing them in a residential or commercial building. PEX is a plastic pipe that is more flexible than other material-made pipes like copper and galvanized steel. Plumbers have been using PEX pipes for a long time since it was created in the 1960s. You’ve probably seen rolls of PEX pipe in your local home improvement store, but might not know what they are capable of and why people tend to go to them.
In today’s marketplace, it becomes important to be more familiar with the products before you make a decision. Read on to learn more about the specification features of PEX Pipes that you might have not thought about.
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Is PEX resistant to sunlight?
No. Pex is not resistant to UV (Ultra Violet) rays from sunlight and must be kept out of it for the majority of time. PEX could be exposed to sunlight or UV during construction, as long as it does not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations. This makes PEX tubing not suitable for outdoor usage, if it has been installed outdoors, it could easily harden and crack within only a couple of months.
EFIELD PEX Tubing from PlumbingSell could normally withstand 30-60 days from direct UV exposure before the performance of the tubing is significantly impacted. If not sure about the time the PEX pipe can have sunlight exposure, you can always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for some guidance.
Can you bury PEX?
Yes. PEX is well-known for its flexibility, which allows it to be able to supply coils. The PEX Pipe can be made in a single, continuous length without the fittings. It will also be affected by concrete, one of the common uses of PEX tubes is for radiant floor heating in concrete. However, the pipe does need to be sleeved where it penetrates the slab.
It’s important to check with local, city or state codes to see if the pipe needs to be wrapped or requires any other types of protective burial. Some kinds of fittings used might need to be wrapped for underground burial, check if silicone tape is required for secure safety. Also, keep in mind that PEX pipe is not suitable for use in places where backfill soil surrounding it is contaminated. The soil used for backfilling must be free of rocks and other sharp objects to avoid causing any potential impact or abrasion on the pipe.
What are the temperature limitations for PEX?
PEX tubing can withstand extremely hot temperatures. It could be used up to 200° Fahrenheit for heating applications, as for plumbing, the limitation is 180° F at 100 psi. The EFIELD PEX Tubing temperature limitations are listed below.
Our EFIELD PEX Tubing is also certified to the ASTM F877 standard that meets the standard of PEX tubing usage in residential and commercial, hot and cold, potable water distribution systems and sealed central heating, such as under-floor heating systems.
Is PEX mergeable with other systems?
Definitely! PEX pipe could be merged with pre-existing copper and other supply lines with the correct fittings. As PEX tubing is more flexible than other materials, the length of the tubings required might differ.
In order to merge PEX Tubing with pre-existing supply lines, there are several methods that could be used. The easiest way is to cut out a section of existing pipe and use the stab-in tee to connect with PEX tubing directly. This method does not need soldiering and will save you a lot of time. But do check with the inspector if the pipe needs to be buried in a wall, as some areas don’t allow stab-in fittings to be concealed.
The other method is to soldier a tee to the existing piping system and attach a PEX supply adapter. Then slip the PEX tubing over the adapter and attach it to the connection. Read the instructions or consult a plumbing specialist if you are not sure which methods and compatible fittings to use. Tee to connect with copper to the PEX adapter, and then you’ll be able to attach the PEX tubing.
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Is it hard to install a PEX pipe?
Not at all! PEX Tubing is not hard to install. As PEX pipe is flexible, you can easily bend it a little for corners. It is also lightweight so less physical strength will be required compared with other types of materials. When installing, there’s no need to use torches, or glues to make leak-resistant connections. The main add-on objects required are different types of PEX fittings.
Although installing PEX pipe is DIY-friendly, and also cost-efficient it does require certain connectors and tools. Also, it is essential to plan your water supply layout ahead to minimize unnecessary bends or fittings.
Do I Need Special Tools for installing PEX pipes?
YES. When plumbing with PEX Tubing, you will need some special tools to help, while the tools are not expensive, crimp and clamp tools are necessary for certain PEX connections.
- PEX Cutters: To ensure clean, precise and straight cust, the PEX cutter is your first must-have tool when conducting PEX Tubing projects. Proper use of PEX cutters will help ensure a proper seal and secure connection when joining pipes with fittings. It is also faster when cutting with a PEX cutter compared with the use of saws or knives.
- Crimp Tool: It is required to create a secure and leak-free connection between the PEX pipe and fittings. Copper crimp rings are one of the most common ways to connect PEX piping and they require the use of a special PEX crimping tool. The tool is specifically designed to compress the rings around the pipe and create a tight seal that keeps the fitting in place to prevent water from leaking.
- Clamp Rings: On the other hand, clamp rings are more like traditional band clamps. It is also a common connection between PEX pipe and fitting. Compared with crimp rings, clamp rings are less size-specific and more reliable in tight spaces. It is normally made up of stainless steel to ensure a leak-proof seal. After slipping the clamp rings on the tab, you can use the clamp tool to squeeze and tighten them.
- Expansion Tools: This is normally used when the diameter of the PEX tubing needs to be stretched before inserting it into the end of a fitting. The expansion rings and tools allow the PEX tube to be temporarily expanded and slide over the fitting. The pipe and ring will naturally shrink back to their original size after being released. The expansion tools are used to create a tight and leak-proof seal without any requirement for clamps or crimp rings. Compared with clamp and crimp rings, expansion rings are less likely to have the risk of over-tightening as it does not rely on external pressure to secure the pipe.
If you’re ready to upgrade your plumbing or need expert advice, contact us today to learn more about how PEX pipes can benefit your project!
