PEX recommendations

[atlr]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a particular manufacturer/ brand of PEX pipe and associated crimpers, fittings etc.  in the USA?  The application is residential remodeling.

 

[copcarcollector]

I used the Shark Bite connectors sold at The Home Depot for my bath remodel with no issues. No crimpers needed, just cut the PEX and push on the connectors.

If you are doing a lot of work, there may be a more budget friendly way to go than buying at the Home Depot though---

You might check your local building codes, I do recall some areas don't allow PEX.

 

[wintu]

i used this brand and its really good http://www.uponor-usa.com  you can get this tool to get your job done very quick way better then any crimping tool out there  http://www.milwaukeetool.com/power-tools/cordless/2432-22

 

[ccmviking]

You didn't say how much you'd be using it but the Uponor Wirsbo system is widely thought to be the best.  You can get a Milwaukee 12V ProPex expander tool for around $350 with batteries and charger, and I would highly recommend it.  I personally favor expansion installation over crimping.

Chris...

 

[wow]

+ 2 on the Uponor (formerly Wirsbo) and the Milwaukee M12 ProPEX tool.

I own the tool, and am changing all of my copper over to PEX as I make changes to plumbing. One big plus to PEX is that it doesn't take nearly as long to get hot water to a faucet since there's no energy lost in warming up the copper.

 

[pettyconstruction]

If you go with the crimp pex,make sure all of your fittings are on and where you want them BEFORE you crimp.
Don't ask me how I know that on.  Hehehe

 

[fatroman]

Wirsbo/Uponor is what I've used to repipe my house. A friend who is a commercial plumber turned me on to it. He uses it in all of his multistory builds in Seattle.

I've sweated my share of CU and I'm not going back. Using it in a remodel situation is perfect. With the ability to bend the pipe around obstructions, you can save a lot of work and skip over the multitude of joints that you'd have with CU. Plus you won't risk scorching any framing members.

You can screw it up, though. They've got expansion rings now with little lips so they don't slide back on the pipe as you expand it. That's been the only flaw I've found; that with the old style rings, you'd start to expand and the ring would move further down the pipe.

My only other wish/complaint, is that this system doesn't have a good manifold solution compared to the other flavors of PEX.

Get the Milwaukee tool, too. I started with the hand expander, but the cordless tool is so much nicer. You can get into much smaller spots (tight joist bays, for instance) and it goes much faster.

No way would I use Shark Bites or the equivalent on a customer's house. I've used them on mine, but only as a temporary solution. Sometimes that temporary solution has lasted 2 or 3 years before I can get to it again. For a job that's for someone else, I wouldn't risk a callback.

 

[wow]

I should mention that I've also used sharkbite connectors, but only  to join the PEX to copper so I don't have to sweat fittings. So far, so good - but I've only used them where they are exposed. I can't bring myself to bury them in a wall...yet, anyway.

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Sharkbite compression-style for me too, albeit just some valves. Nothing behind the wall.

 

[copcarcollector]

No way would I use Shark Bites or the equivalent on a customer's house. I've used them on mine, but only as a temporary solution. Sometimes that temporary solution has lasted 2 or 3 years before I can get to it again. For a job that's for someone else, I wouldn't risk a callback.

We used Shark Bite connectors for Pex to Pex and Pex to copper in my master bath remodel, about 5 years ago now. Most definitely inside the walls!

So I am just a homeowner and DIY-er with these connectors, not a contractor. I wonder why, as a pro, you would not use a Shark Bite in a customers house, or as a long term (permanent) solution in your own house.

 

[wow]

No way would I use Shark Bites or the equivalent on a customer's house. I've used them on mine, but only as a temporary solution. Sometimes that temporary solution has lasted 2 or 3 years before I can get to it again. For a job that's for someone else, I wouldn't risk a callback.

We used Shark Bite connectors for Pex to Pex and Pex to copper in my master bath remodel, about 5 years ago now. Most definitely inside the walls!

So I am just a homeowner and DIY-er with these connectors, not a contractor. I wonder why, as a pro, you would not use a Shark Bite in a customers house, or as a long term (permanent) solution in your own house.

They are still too new to be considered 'proven'. Nobody knows whether the o-rings will dry out and leak, or other issues pop up in 10-20 years.

 

[pettyconstruction]

I also us sharkbite fittings from copper to pex. In walls or out. No problems yet.
All of what's been said before is why,
No flame
Bendable
Less drilling. And it's not worth stealing,witch around the valley,is sometimes a problem.

 

[ccmviking]

So I am just a homeowner and DIY-er with these connectors, not a contractor. I wonder why, as a pro, you would not use a Shark Bite in a customers house, or as a long term (permanent) solution in your own house.

    I only use them to temporarily cap stuff off as I'm working on it.  I will not use them as part of a permanent installation whether in a wall or not.  They use a rubber o-ring to seal and that can have a life of about 15 years depending on conditions.  What happens when that o-ring drys out and starts to crack as most of them seem to do?  I've never had a shark bite (or equivalent) fitting leak or pop off.  I just personally don't see them as a permanent connection.

Chris...

 

[gnlman]

Ditto here too. Use sharkbite for temp cap offs, but would never bury one in a wall.....compression fittings I have used in tight places and trust them, but not much history on sharkbite....would not use them long term at all.
Greg