Pex Tubing Pipe

Pex Tubing Pipe

The Power of PEX Tubing

R. Dodge Woodson/Lone Wolf Enterprises, Ltd.

www.lonewolfent.net

 

The Power of PEX Tubing

What is so special about PEX tubing? Isn’t it just a plastic plumbing pipe? Wait a minute, is it Polybutylene tubing that I heard about so many class-action lawsuits about? Slow down. It is not the Polybutylene that took a bad rap a few years ago. This is a hybrid, and it is a cross-linked Polybutylene tubing. Yes, it is plastic, but it offers numerous advantages to metallic water-distribution piping systems.

Polybutylene is grey in color. PEX comes in white, blue, and red colors. This is advantageous in that cold water can be piped with blue tubing and hot water can be piped with red tubing. PEX can expand up to one-third of its own diameter before bursting when it is frozen. Compare this to copper tubing and you will see instant advantages.

Copper tubing, which is common in most homes that people now live in, is subject to chemical reactions that can create leaks. Acid is one such chemical reaction. Too much acid in copper tubing will create pinholes. The holes may be tiny, but the water damage can be disastrous. This is not a problem when PEX tubing is used.

PEX installations require less time for a plumber’s labor. Most of us know how much plumbers charge for their time, so this is a no-brainer. No flame is required to install PEX tubing. This is another difference between PEX and copper. Go with the PEX! 

Check the price of copper. Compare it with PEX. Again, you have a no-brainer. PEX fittings are more expensive than copper fittings, but fewer are needed and the additional cost of the fittings doesn’t amount to much when you compare the cost of the tubing itself.

I used Polybutylene (PB) back in the 1970’s and for many years following with no problems. However, the installation procedure required some precise work. Personally, I feel that PB got a bad rap, but PEX is installed with essentially the same procedures and it is great.

As an old-school master plumber with over 30 years of experience, I am probably supposed to support copper, but I don’t. For general residential applications, PEX is the player. It is cheaper, faster to install, and in many ways it offers superior service.

PEX joints are made in two ways. There are crimping tools and crimp rings. This is the system that I use. Another system, and it is equally good, uses an expansion tool on the tubing that opens the tubing and then allows it to grip onto fittings. These are the two professional means of installation.

Homeowners can use compression fittings to make easy connections with PEX. All you need to make a leak-proof joint is two adjustable wrenches and a compression fitting. The tubing is cut professionally with a sharp cutting tool, but a homeowner can cut the tubing with a knife or a hacksaw. There are also new fittings available that allow homeowners to basically jab the pipe into the fitting for a solid fit.

If you want to repipe your house, repair a section of piping, or add to your plumbing system, I strongly recommend a PEX connection. The compression fittings that I spoke of earlier allow you to transition from copper to PEX. You can do it, and you don’t need super skills or pro tools. Go for it!

About the Author

R. Dodge Woodson and his team at Lone Wolf Enterprises, Ltd. (www.lonewolfent.net)are offering their services to the open market for the first time. Woodson has written over 100 books for major publishers, such as Simon & Shuster, McGraw-Hill, John Wiley & Sons, and others. He is acknowledged as a best-selling, internationally-known author. R. Dodge Woodson got his start writing dozens of magazine articles for such magazines as Outdoor Life. In addition to his personal writing, Woodson’s team has produced dozens upon dozens of books for major publishers.
R. Dodge Woodson’s writing style is conversational. He is skilled at taking complex subjects and making them reader friendly. Woodson has worked as a ghostwriter for celebrities, provided work-for-hire books to major publishers, and written his own titles.
If you are seeking professional writing and editorial services, Lone Wolf can deliver all elements of publishing from writing to editing to layout to proofreading to indexing, and more.

Good Water Warehouse 11581522 SeaTech PEX Pipe Cutter $39.57 PEX Tube Cutter Information: The PEX tube cutter can be used on PEX pipe with a maximum diameter of 1 inch. Be sure to keep your fingers clear of the PEX tube cutting blade at all times. Replacement blades are available for the PEX tube cutter. Use the PEX Pipe Cutter With: Any brand of PEX tubing Any size PEX pipe tubing up to 1 inch.

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 3 4 inx100' Red Pex Tubing P-34-100R $40.66 3/4?x100' red pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 3/4? x 100', red Brand #: Watts Water Technologies P-34-100R UPC: 098268298376 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 3 4 inx25' Wht Pex Tubing P-34-25 $10.93 3/4?x25' wht pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 3/4? x 25', white Brand #: Watts Water Technologies P-34-25 UPC: 098268298383 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 1 2 inx300 Blue Pex Tubing WPTC08-300B $65.37 1/2?x300 blue pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 1/2? x 300', blue Brand #: Watts Water Technologies WPTC08-300B UPC: 098268336177 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 1 2 inx300' Red Pex Tubing WPTC08-300R $65.37 1/2?x300' red pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 1/2? x 300', red Brand #: Watts Water Technologies WPTC08-300R UPC: 098268336160 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 1 2 inx25' Wht Pex Tubing P-12-25 $5.91 1/2?x25' wht pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 1/2? x 25', white Brand #: Watts Water Technologies P-12-25 UPC: 098268298123 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 3 4 inx100 Blue Pex Tubing P-34-100B $40.66 3/4?x100 blue pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 3/4? x 100', blue Brand #: Watts Water Technologies P-34-100B UPC: 098268298369 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 3 8 inx100' Wht Pex Tubing WPTC06-100W $21.84 3/8?x100' wht pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 3/8? x 100', white Brand #: Watts Water Technologies WPTC06-100W UPC: 098268311334 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Watts Water Technologies Watts Water Technologies 1 2 inx100' Red Pex Tubing P-12-100R $22.46 1/2?x100' red pex tubing Flexible, corrosion-resistant, no electrolysis, and freeze damage-resistant PEX pipe can be connected to galvanized, copper, and CPVC systems PEX pipe meets or exceeds ASTM F-876 and F-877 standards PEX pipe is easy-to-install and will handle all normal temperatures and pressures common in residential systems and commercial potable water systems 1/2? x 100', red Brand #: Watts Water Technologies P-12-100R UPC: 098268298116 Keywords: tubing coil flexible pex pipe

Good Water Warehouse PEX34100 .75 in. CTS PEX Pipe for Plumbing Applications $172.29 This PEX tube is 3/4 CTS (Copper Tube Size) Inside Diameter. It is 7/8 Outside Diameter. The bend radius is 7 . PEX (or crosslinked polyethylene) is part of a water supply piping system that has several advantages over metal pipe (copper iron lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC CPVC ABS) systems. It is flexible resistant to scale and chlorine doesn t corrode or develop pinholes is faster to install than metal or rigid plastic and has fewer connections and fittings. PEX is crosslinked polyethylene. Through one of several processes links between polyethylene molecules are formed to create bridges (thus the term crosslinked). This resulting material is more durable under temperature extremes chemical attack and better resists creep deformation making PEX an excellent material for hot water and other applications. PEX is ideally suited for potable water plumbing applications. It is flexible making it easy to install and service. PEX is able to withstand the high and low temperatures found in plumbing and heating applications and is highly resistant to chemicals found in the plumbing environment. Flexible PEX systems are quieter than rigid piping. PEX systems have fewer joints and are easier to install providing a lower cost installation over traditional plumbing materials. PEX s strength at temperatures ranging from below freezing up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit makes it an ideal piping material for hot and cold water plumbing systems hydronic radiant heating systems snow melting applications and even ice rinks and refrigeration warehouses. WaterPEX Tubing is also known as Sea Tech PEX Tubing and Aquape Tubing and is available in multiple colors for ease of water line identification. PEX is included in all of the major model plumbing codes used in the United States and Canada CSA IAPMO SBCCI BOCA ICBO IPC and NSPC and approved by HUD for hot and cold potable water plumbing use. PEX is designed for indoor and buried applications only. PEX Tubing should not be exposed to dire

Watts Flowmatic PEX12100 .5 in. CTS PEX Pipe for Plumbing Applications $101.88 This PEX tube is 1/2 CTS (Copper Tube Size) Inside Diameter. It is 5/8 Outside Diameter. The bend radius is 5 . PEX (or crosslinked polyethylene) is part of a water supply piping system that has several advantages over metal pipe (copper iron lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC CPVC ABS) systems. It is flexible resistant to scale and chlorine doesn t corrode or develop pinholes is faster to install than metal or rigid plastic and has fewer connections and fittings. PEX is crosslinked polyethylene. Through one of several processes links between polyethylene molecules are formed to create bridges (thus the term crosslinked). This resulting material is more durable under temperature extremes chemical attack and better resists creep deformation making PEX an excellent material for hot water and other applications. PEX is ideally suited for potable water plumbing applications. It is flexible making it easy to install and service. PEX is able to withstand the high and low temperatures found in plumbing and heating applications and is highly resistant to chemicals found in the plumbing environment. Flexible PEX systems are quieter than rigid piping. PEX systems have fewer joints and are easier to install providing a lower cost installation over traditional plumbing materials. PEX s strength at temperatures ranging from below freezing up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit makes it an ideal piping material for hot and cold water plumbing systems hydronic radiant heating systems snow melting applications and even ice rinks and refrigeration warehouses. WaterPEX Tubing is also known as Sea Tech PEX Tubing and Aquapex Tubing and is available in multiple colors for ease of water line identification. PEX is included in all of the major model plumbing codes used in the United States and Canada CSA IAPMO SBCCI BOCA ICBO IPC and NSPC and approved by HUD for hot and cold potable water plumbing use. PEX is designed for indoor and buried applications only. PEX Tubing should not be exposed to dir

W10267701RP 25 ft. PEX Tubing Ice and Water $29 25 ft PEX Tubing Ice and Water Kit

Genova Genova 25pk 1 2 in Tubing Hangers 52105 $2.95 25pk 1/2? tubing hangers Can be used on copper, CPVC, and PEX tubing Packed 25 per bag (nails not included) Brand #: Genova 52105 UPC: 038561921052 Keywords: cpvc tubing hanger pipe plastic

Small Pipe & Tubing Markers $1 Perfect for marking piping or tubing less than 1" in diameter. 3" x 3" self-adhesive vinyl markers wrap completely around pipe for easy installation Arrows included on markers to indicate direction of flow Custom worded markers with your choice of 6 colors Letter height: 3/8"

Flair It Flair It Tubing Cutter F01150 $8.21 Tubing cutter Spring-loaded plastic tubing cutter with locking handle Cuts up to 1? PEX, polybutylene, and vinyl tubing Brand #: Flair It F01150 UPC: 742979011501 Keywords: pex tubing cutter

Flair It Flair It 1 2x1 2fpt Elbow 16802 $3.1 1/2x1/2fpt elbow Elbow with Female pipe thread and a Flair-It connection 1/2? PEX x 1/2? FPT Will work with PEX or polybutylene tubing Brand #: Flair It 16802 UPC: 742979168021 Keywords: pex fitting elbow female

54026 Exhaust Pipe and Silicone Joint Tubing $15.04 Exhaust Silicone Joint Tubing

Flair It Flair It 1 2x1 2 Pex Elbow 16800 $2.35 1/2x1/2 pex elbow Elbow with Flair-It connection on both ends 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 1/2? PEX x 1/2? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16800 UPC: 742979168007 Keywords: pex fitting elbow connector

Flair It Flair It 1 2x3 4 Pex Elbow 16805 $4.58 1/2x3/4 pex elbow Elbow with Flair-It connection on both ends 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 1/2? PEX x 3/4? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16805 UPC: 742979168052 Keywords: pex fitting elbow connector

Flair It Flair It 3 4x3 4 Pex Elbow 16806 $3.59 3/4x3/4 pex elbow Elbow with Flair-It connection on both ends 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 3/4? PEX x 3/4? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16806 UPC: 742979168069 Keywords: pex fitting elbow connector

Flair It Flair It 3 8x3 8 Pex Elbow 16815 $2.35 3/8x3/8 pex elbow Elbow with Flair-It connection on both ends 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 3/8? PEX x 3/8? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16815 UPC: 742979168151 Keywords: pex fitting elbow connector

Flair It Flair It 3 8 in Plug 16862 $2.35 3/8? plug Used for inserting a plug into the end of a pipe 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 3/8? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16862 UPC: 742979168625 Keywords: plug pex fitting

Flair It Flair It 1 2 in Plug 16863 $2.38 1/2? plug Used for inserting a plug into the end of a pipe 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 1/2? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16863 UPC: 742979168632 Keywords: plug pex fitting

Flair It Flair It 3 4 in Plug 16864 $3.37 3/4? plug Used for inserting a plug into the end of a pipe 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 3/4? PEX Brand #: Flair It 16864 UPC: 742979168649 Keywords: plug pex fitting

Ridgid® - Plastic Pipe and Tubing Cutters $42.8 No twisting and ratcheting pliers. Pipe Cutters with patent-awaiting X-CEL™ blade for swift one stroke cutting, no twirling or ratcheting necessary. Hand tools with strong construction for intensive usage. Pipe cutters with trouble-free turn-thumb latch for dependable storeroom. Hand tools X-CEL™ immediate transforming blade. Ergonomic clasps underneath the handle are distanced at 1/2" increments to work as a swift pipe measuring scale.

Tubing (Material) $70.1 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles Tubing is a pipe or hollow cylinder for the conveyance of fluids (liquids or gases). The terms pipe and tubing are almost interchangeable, although minor distinctions exist generally, tubing implies tighter engineering requirements than pipe. Both pipe and tube imply a level of rigidity and permanence, whereas a hose is usually portable and flexible. Tubing and pipe may be specified by standard pipe size designations, e.g., nominal pipe size, or by nominal outside or inside diameter and/or wall thickness. The actual dimensions of pipe are usually not the nominal dimensions: A 1inch pipe will not actually measure 1 inch in either outside or inside diameter, whereas many types of tubing are specified by actual inside diameter, outside diameter, and/or wall thickness. There are many industry and government standards for pipe and tubing. Author: Surhone, Lambert M./ Timpledon, Miriam T./ Marseken, Susan F. Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 90 Publication Date: 2010/07/22 Language: English Dimensions: 6.00 x 9.02 x 0.22 inches

Superior Tool Superior Tool Pex Pocket Crimper 07100 $27.39 Pex pocket crimper PEX crimping tool meets ASTM F1807 specification with go/no go gauge to be used with any PEX manufacturer Crimper fits all common sizes: 3/8?, 1/2?, 3/4? PEX tubing fittings Tool is made from solid hardened alloy steel and requires no adjustments or calibration ever Crimp standard PEX black copper fittings using your own 10? Vice grips Makes installing PEX portable and versatile without the huge multi tool investment Also comes with portable tool pouch and a lifetime guarantee Brand #: Superior Tool 07100 UPC: 017197071003 Keywords: crimp pex tool crimping universal

PVC Tubing Tube Plastic Pipe Cutter Tool $12.99 Description:The Tubing Cutter is suitable for cutting Plastic, PVC, Polyethylene, and Synthetic Pipes (along with other similar material pipe or tubing)Open maximum cutting capacity: 1 5/8" (42mm)Anti-Rust and Anti-Wear construction PVC Pipe CutterHeat treated blade of the Tube Cuter for long cutting lifeColor may be a little different from the pictureSize: about 19 x 9 x 1cm (L x W x H)Weight: 295g

Superior Tool ST2000 Tubing Pipe Cutter 36878 $48.22 Tubing and pipe cutter. Cuts up to 1 schedule 40 pipe and 2 copper tubing.63 to 2.13 OD capacity for tubing conduit and steel fencing.38 to 1 OD capacity for steel or iron pipe including galvanized. Made of strong lightweight aluminum construction and a comfort non slip polymer grip. Durable epoxy powder coated finish for corrosion resistance and durability. Heat treated alloy steel cutting wheel. A favorite for versatility this tool ships with the cutter wheel for copper iron and steel. By replacing the wheel it can also cut aluminum and copper or PVC CPVC and ABS. Length: 10.75. Width: 5.25. Height: 5.25

Flair It Flair It 1 2x1 8mpt Adapter 16871 $3.56 1/2x1/8mpt adapter Used to connect ice maker fittings to PEX and or polybutylene tubing 1/2? x 1/8? FPT Brand #: Flair It 16871 UPC: 742979168717 Keywords: fitting ice maker pex adapter female pipe thread

Wide Return Pipe for 400494 or 1/2 in. Tubing $9.99 The Eheim Wide Return Pipe is an ideal way to get a more direct flow of water in your tank. It is made to fit into 400494 Tubing and may not fit properly if not placed into that size tubing. It can easily attach to the back side of your aquarium with suction cups and slightly angled to get the desired affect. Size: Approximately 5 1/2" L x 1/2" W x 6" H

Qkit4X - 1/2In Pex Pipe Repair Kit $15.73 [6327613] UPC: 084169491770 23.21L x 6.99W x 6.85H 0.51 LB 0.64 Cubes

Qkit5X - 3/4In Pex Pipe Repair Kit $18.39 [6327688] UPC: 084169491787 23.31L x 6.83W x 7.02H 0.65 LB 0.65 Cubes

Mini Tube Pipe Tubing Cutter (3-22mm) $8.99 Description:Compact mini Tube CutterThis will cut copper, brass, aluminum tubing and thin walled conduitThe Tubing Cutter has a die cast body with grooved rollers to allow accurate cutting of flared tubingThe Pipe Cutter has a hardened steel cutting wheel and a large knurled for tightening easeIt will cut tubes with a diameter of 1/8" to 7/8"Cutting capacity: 3-22mm (1/8" - 7/8")The item may look large in the picture but in fact it is the actual item and is small in size (see below for dimensions)Size: about 56 x 40 x 20mm Weight: 114g

Wprm16-19Pb - 1 inch Pex Crimp Ring Tool, For Securing Pex Copper Crimp Rings Onto Pex Pipe & Fittings. $226.08 [BreakPack_597693] UPC: 98268318265 15L x 4W x 1H 6 LB

Flair It Flair It 1 2x1 2fpt Adapter 16841 $2.22 1/2x1/2fpt adapter Adapters with Female pipe threads and a Flair-It connection 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 1/2? PEX x 1/2? FPT Brand #: Flair It 16841 UPC: 742979168410 Keywords: pex fitting adapter female pipe thread

Flair It Flair It 3 4x3 4fpt Adapter 16847 $2.75 3/4x3/4fpt adapter Adapters with Female pipe threads and a Flair-It connection 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 3/4? PEX x 3/4? FPT Brand #: Flair It 16847 UPC: 742979168472 Keywords: pex fitting adapter female pipe thread

Flair It Flair It 1 2x3 4fpt Adapter 16858 $2.79 1/2x3/4fpt adapter Adapters with Female pipe threads and a Flair-It connection 3/8? and 1/2? fittings will fit PEX or polybutylene tubing 3/4? fittings will fit PEX tubing only, to use on polybutylene use adapter model No. 26790 1/2? PEX x 3/4? FPT Brand #: Flair It 16858 UPC: 742979168588 Keywords: pex fitting adapter female pipe thread

Customflo Pipe Bracket with Suction Cup $4.69 Includes 2 pipe brackets with suction cups. Fits 1/2 in. tubing or pipe.