Easier Plumbing with PEX Piping

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PEX piping's ease of use makes it perfect for do-it-yourself plumbing projects.
PEX piping's ease of use makes it perfect for do-it-yourself plumbing projects.
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PEX can bend in any direction and will remain in a fixed position. Use a metal tube like this to prevent kinks when tight bends are required
PEX can bend in any direction and will remain in a fixed position. Use a metal tube like this to prevent kinks when tight bends are required
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Unlike rigid piping that uses a straight-line network of pipes to deliver water to appliances and fixtures, PEX delivers constant pressure to all fixtures by directing water in one central tube to a hub, where water is then equally distributed in half-inch lines throughout the house.
Unlike rigid piping that uses a straight-line network of pipes to deliver water to appliances and fixtures, PEX delivers constant pressure to all fixtures by directing water in one central tube to a hub, where water is then equally distributed in half-inch lines throughout the house.
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A PEX hub connection and its O-rings.
A PEX hub connection and its O-rings.
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To learn how to connect PEX piping to existing copper pipes, see “Connecting to Copper.”
To learn how to connect PEX piping to existing copper pipes, see “Connecting to Copper.”
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For small jobs, compression fittings are the least expensive way to join PEX piping.
For small jobs, compression fittings are the least expensive way to join PEX piping.
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Crimp-on connection rings are the most economical way to make a large number of PEX connections, but the crimping tool can cost several hundred dollars.
Crimp-on connection rings are the most economical way to make a large number of PEX connections, but the crimping tool can cost several hundred dollars.
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This crimping tool, which can cost several hundred dollars, is necessary to make PEX connections using crimp-on connection rings.
This crimping tool, which can cost several hundred dollars, is necessary to make PEX connections using crimp-on connection rings.
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Valves and T-connections can be installed in PEX much more easily than in rigid piping.
Valves and T-connections can be installed in PEX much more easily than in rigid piping.
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Tools of the trade: A reaming tool (left) imparts a perfectly round shape to the inside of the PEX line, ensuring good connections. A specialized cutting tool supports the round profile of the plastic tube.
Tools of the trade: A reaming tool (left) imparts a perfectly round shape to the inside of the PEX line, ensuring good connections. A specialized cutting tool supports the round profile of the plastic tube.

Next time you need to replace pipes in your home, consider an alternative to rigid piping that comes in rolls, can be cut easily to any desired length, and requires no soldering and very few joint fittings. Generically called PEX-AL-PEX, this flexible plastic piping is so easy to install that you can handle most projects quickly on your own.

Although PEX-AL-PEX is relatively new to North America, it’s approved in major plumbing codes, and professional plumbers are increasingly choosing PEX-AL-PEX because of its successful 30-year track record in Europe. It’s a little more expensive than rigid copper piping — but the advantages outweigh the extra cost. Plus, you can save money by doing the job yourself. You can buy it at major hardware stores, where it’s usually sold as water supply piping and infloor radiant-heat lines. When you buy PEX piping at the hardware store, make sure the tubing is stamped with “NSF-61” or “NSF pw” (for potable water), which distinguishes it from the PEX that is used only for infloor radiant heating applications.

PEX-AL-PEX is named for its sandwich-layered construction that uses cross-linked polyethylene plastic as the outside layer (PEX), aluminum as the middle layer (AL) and another layer of cross-linked poly on the inside. To keep it simple in this article, I’ll refer to PEX-AL-PEX as just PEX, though that name also is used for plastic-only water supply lines.

PEX is worth considering for your next plumbing project for three reasons:

Flexibility. PEX can be hand-bent in any direction and will remain in a fixed position. This allows you to work it around and through existing floor joists, walls and frame members. PEX bends tightly up to a 3-inch radius without forming kinks, which significantly reduces the need for most elbow joints.

  • Published on Jun 1, 2006
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