On Jun 11, 12:11*am, wrote:
On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 06:58:59 -0400, willshak
wrote:



on 6/9/2009 3:17 PM (ET) RJ wrote the following:
I'm just edging into the world of PEX water pipe.

I'm accustomed to the daisy-chain
copper pipe installations,
where the main feed might be 3/4",
local runs 1/2" and sink connections 3/8".

The PEX installations I see all have a "manifold",
then individual pipe runs to each faucet.

Is there a reeason for this ? *Can't be more efficient.
Or is it just "chancy" to daisy-chain PEX *??

The home run system allows hot water to get to the fixture directly,
rather than having it go though other fixtures before it gets to the
final destination.
Saves time (you don't have to wait as long for the hot water to get to
the fixture),
Saves hot water (other parts of the piping system don't have to fill
with hot water before you get it at the fixture),
Saves gas or electric water heating (less hot water taken from the heater),
Saves electricity on a well pump system ( less water being pumped from
the system).

I'd like to see proof of this. *The hot water does not go thru other
fixtures, the pipes just go past them. *Then comes the issue of
insulating the pipes. *You can put insulation on copper or other
metallic pipe. *Can you insulate PEX? *I'm not saying you can or can
not do it, I dont know????

I had to tap into some PEX on a job, just before I retired. *I was not
going to buy all the PEX tools because I know I was retiring and never
would install it in my own house. *I used the snap together connectors
that cost almost $10 for a tee. *I was not impressed in the least with
the stuff. *In the basement it leaves a sloppy looking saggy job
(looks like a hose hung across rafters). *I would not trust those snap
together fittings in my home, but I did what I had to do for that job
and my boss was pleased, even though I argued with him for an hour
before using that stuff, since 90% of the plumbing in the house was
copper and this PEX just was put in when the bathroom was remodeled. I
had insisted that we use copper for that bathroom. *And there was no
manifold, just pex tapped into a copper line. *

I will agree that copper can fail where there is a high acid PH water,
but that's not a problem in most places. *I'd probably use CPVC in
those instances. *I am not fond of that stuff either, but at least it
looks like pipe. *To me, pex is something made for cheap temporary
connections for trailer homes where the pipes freeze every winter
under the trailer skirting.

Use what you want. *Pex is not for me. *In a few years people will
find it cracking and bursting as it deteriorates, and I'll laugh my
ass off while my copper is as good as the day it was installed. *And
one final thought. *I have never heard of a copper, or galv steel pipe
just breaking or bursting (except when frozen). *Metallic pipes leak
from a pin-hole sized leak, which gets larger after awhile. *By then
the owner knows of the problem. *But those plastic supply tubes under
sinks/toilets can and do just burst. *I saw this happen to a neighbor,
and did thousands of dollars damage. *Those supply pipes were banned,
but there are millions still in use. *Pex is very similar. *Its just a
matter of time till they begin bursting.

LM

LM-

Use what you want. Pex is not for me.

that's fair, your opinion, your right

In a few years people will find it cracking and bursting as it deteriorates,

and you are basing this prediction on? you vast technical
knowledge? or personal experiience? your crystal ball?

PEX has been in use all over the US for YEARS......where are the
failure stories

plastic supply tubes under
sinks/toilets can and do just burst. yes they do

I saw this happen to a neighbor, and did thousands of dollars damage. me too

Those supply pipes were banned, if true, good action
but there are millions still in use. only because people are ill-informed,

Pex is very similar. Wrong, different material

Its just a matter of time till they begin bursting. another opinion without basis?

sorry to be so harsh but most of your statements are without basis

cheers
Bob