PEX Piping, officially known as “Cross-Linked Polyethylene,” was first developed in the 1960′s.. This kind of plumbing is relatively new to the American market. One thing that it is good for is the installation of radiant heat systems.
Unlike copper, PEX piping is made from flexible plastic called polyethylene that is strengthened through a special process using fancy checmicals. It is quickly becoming popluar to use PEX in residential plumbing applications. 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}.