If you’re planning to renovate a bathroom or replace a kitchen sink, PEX plumbing makes the job a lot easier for DIY homeowners. What is PEX plumbing? How can it help you with your home plumbing projects?
PEX Plumbing Basics
PEX plumbing piping, sometimes called “XLPE,” is made of cross-linked polyethylene plastic. The manufacturing process results in a flexible tubing that’s both durable and easy to manipulate. Many homeowners rely on PEX for DIY plumbing projects.
PEX Plumbing Pipe vs. Older Materials
Traditional piping material is more costly or more difficult to use. Copper, considered the highest standard for supply water piping, is very costly. While it’s pretty flexible, it does require some skill to install.
PVC and CPVC are popular plastics for both supply and waste pipes. However, they’re not flexible at all. If you’re installing plumbing fixtures, you’ll need to manipulate a number of straight runs with bends, turns, and awkward angles.
PEX, however, is flexible enough to install in even the most awkward situations. This makes it a dream material for many home DIY enthusiasts.
PEX Plumbing Disadvantages
It sounds like a dream, so there has to be a catch, right? PEX does have some down-sides, most of which involve the limited applications:
Non-recyclable
PEX doesn’t melt, so it’s not recyclable. Many environmentally conscious homeowners prefer to use more eco-friendly products
Potentially toxic
Chemical leaching from some grades PEX has been reported, which again, rules out its use in some applications.
UV Sensitive
PEX degrades when exposed to UV light, so you can’t use it outdoors. This severely limits most homeowners from taking advantage of its benefits.
Semi-permeable
Reports of contaminants permeating PEX plumbing have also limited its popularity.
Proprietary tools
Most homeowners only boast the usual set of hand tools. PEX may require special tools, which increases the cost.
Availability
California has banned the use of PEX plumbing pipes, so it may not be an option for everyone.
PEX Plumbing Advantages
Now that you know the ugly side of PEX, it’s time to learn about how and why you may find it the right material for your next home plumbing project.
Flexibility
No bends and angles — PEX runs from anything to anywhere with an infinite number of twists and turns.
No soldering required
Put away your soldering gun – unlike copper, PEX needs no solder to connect.
No toxic glues
PEX connects without the need for tape and glue, unlike PVC pipe.
No frozen pipes
Because it expands, PEX doesn’t freeze and burst in the winter.
No rusty water
PEX is plastic, so it doesn’t corrode and rust away like galvanized pipe.
No weird noises
Because it’s plastic, you won’t hear banging and hammering like you will from metal piping.
Color-coded
To make use even simpler, PEX plumbing pipe is color-code so you’ll immediately know what grade you have
Plays well with others
Probably the most important advantage of PEX is that, with the right connectors, it integrates with metal or PVC pipes. You won’t have to disassemble perfectly sound plumbing pipes and replace the entire system.
Choosing the Right Grade of PEX Plumbing
Depending on the project you’re doing, you’ll need to be sure you use the right grade of PEX.
Non-oxygen barrier PEX
Because of the disadvantages we listed above, supply water lines will require that you choose suitable pipe. You’ll need to use non-oxygen barrier PEX for potable water, PEX-A or PEX-B.
Non-oxygen barrier PEX is color-coded red for hot water, blue for cold water, or white for either. Note that there is no building code that specifies these colors for any particular application. The colors are simply to make it easier for you to distinguish your water lines.
Oxygen barrier PEX
Oxygen barrier PEX may be red or white and is normally used for closed-loop heating systems, such as baseboard or radiant heating. This grade of PEX is not approved for potable water use.
PEX-Aluminum-PEX
Aluminum PEX, coded orange, features an aluminum core that helps the tubing keep its shape when installed. It’s generally used for radiant floor heating and ice melting / snow removal, although it has been rated for potable water.
Purple PEX
Purple PEX is used for reclaimed water and is highly rated for chlorine resistance. Keeping reclaimed and potable water piping clearly separated is critical, so the unique purple color makes it easier to prevent cross contamination.
If you need new fixtures but don’t feel like PEX piping is the right answer for you, make an appointment with the team at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Port St. Lucie. Our trained technicians are quick and efficient in traditional piping materials and provide installation at your convenience.