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Eigenvector Eigenvector is offline
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Default PEX vs. CPVC vs. Copper


"Andrew" wrote in message
ps.com...
On Mar 2, 5:18 pm, " wrote:
On Mar 2, 5:13?pm, "Andrew" wrote:



On Mar 2, 3:41 pm, "Eigenvector" wrote:


"Andrew" wrote in message


oups.com...


I'm rehabbing a bathroom on the second floor of my old house in
Philadelphia, and I'm running all new supply lines. I'll be tapping
into copper in the basement, and I have a wide open chase to get to
the second floor. What should I run? Copper is getting awfully
expensive these days, and I'm curious about the cpvc and pex. The
simplicity really appeals to me. What's the word on the reliability
of the plastics? Are they really easier to work with? What about
durability? Am I going to have to make sure that all the
connections
are easily accessible? I'm just curious about general opinions
people
have and what to watch out for. Thanks,


Andrew


I just finished re-plumbing my old galvanized pipes and I used PEX.
If you
search a little on this group you'll probably find a few of my old
posts on
this very topic. I waver back and forth between PEX and copper,
reliability
is a big question in my mind, the issues with Polybutalene are too
real and
in my mind PEX MIGHT possibly have the same problems??? I still went
with
it, it's a snap to install, can be very wasteful when it comes to the
tubing, but the tubing is very cheap. Common fittings are available
locally
and are reasonably inexpensive. Personally I think copper and PEX are
a
wash when it comes to small jobs, but that's just me.


PEX looks very messy, so if the tubing is exposed it will look
dangerous and
half-assed to the casual observer - but that's just what it looks
like.


Yeah, everything will be concealed, so it won't be that big a deal.
Having nearly set my house on fire several times sweating copper, the
snap connections really appeal to me. As long as they're reliable,
the cost almost doesn't even matter. The manifolds seem really
convenient too. One other thing, since you've been living with PEX
for awhile, is there any taste or smell to the water that comes
through it? I was wondering if maybe the hot water lines in
particular might be noticeable.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -


PEX is better no fittings Ts etc buried in walls

Run seperate lines for sink, tub, toilet etc.

Better flow, easier service with manifold.

Flushing toilet doesnt effect person showering.


Wait, now this is interesting. Is this the way it HAS to be run?
With a sink, tub and toilet, that would mean 5 lines running to the
basement. Is that really the best way to do it? I guess if the
tubing is cheap it shouldn't matter. But is this really the way
people run PEX? Each fixture is attached separately to the manifold?
Thanks,

Andrew

It's not how I run it, but that's really how it should be run.

I have a single 3/4" line from the hot water tank that splits to a 3/4" line
to the basement and a 1/2" line to the washing machine. From there the 3/4"
line splits to 3 lines - one to the bathroom sink, bathroom shower, kitchen
sink. (I have a small house)