The Conservative Cave

Interests => Around the House & In the Garage => Topic started by: fatboy on May 04, 2017, 10:34:10 AM

Title: DIY plumbing with PEX
Post by: fatboy on May 04, 2017, 10:34:10 AM
Anyone use PEX? I have to replace some copper and so I'm going to use PEX to replace. Never used it before.

I guess I'm going to use stainless steel cinch bands.
Title: Re: DIY plumbing with PEX
Post by: thundley4 on May 04, 2017, 01:46:25 PM
Is it cheaper or just easier to work with?
Title: Re: DIY plumbing with PEX
Post by: fatboy on May 05, 2017, 08:06:20 PM
Cheaper than copper. Not sure about CPVC.

I had the day off today so I ran new hot and cold from the basement to the main bathroom. A lot of turns and connections but the plumbing is complete now just have to fix the drywall.

I was trying to decide how to make the connections as there are several way to do this. I went with stainless steel crimp bands. I am so happy that this job is over, the copper has been giving me fits for years and about twice a year I had to fix a leak or two. My bathroom water supply pipes are in a very tight and awkward space to access.
Title: Re: DIY plumbing with PEX
Post by: DumbAss Tanker on June 06, 2017, 10:11:57 AM
I bought a place that had it installed, I had never worked with it before.  The black bands (Copper) seem to work just fine.  Borrowed a higher-end crimp tool kit from a plumber friend, it's the one thing you don't want to go cheap with.  Seems to be somewhat more reliable than PVC, which seems to have a way of not necessarily staying glued 100% of the time.  My own house is much older and all copper.  Can't say I have anything negative about PEX to date, a couple of years after my first adventures with it.