Pex

[countryplum]

My copper in slab just started leaking again so not going there. I want to use good pex in attic. I am on well. Hard water. I know thats what caused leaks. Also been there 33 yrs. I cant afford expansion tool for plastic fittings so Im gonna have to use the brass fittings i guess( feel like they gonna leak mayb 10 yrs). Which ones and which compression ring? Stainless or crimp ring..You're opinion on any and all of this would be appreciated.also thinking about a filter of some sort.

 

[havasu]

Why not rent the expansion tool?

 

[countryplum]

Havent been able to find.....good idea

 

[Geofd]

hello i had i pie burst in my basement due to freezing weather and an amateur

renovation I'm a copper guy pro press or soldering anyway i had to install over 300' i chose the copper crimp method crimp tool is made by Mil3 they have been around for 30 yrs warranty and repair/calibrate their tools i bought a 1/2
inch and 3/4 inch for about 85 each very easy to work with everyone has their
opinion but i liked this one there is another method called cinch method
stainless steel clamps that cinch on the side don't forget if you do any
heat work the pex must have an OXYGEN BARRIER or it will rot your boiler

not shark bite fittings, this method has been around for 30 years check out Mil3

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

As a professional I don’t trust many things other then copper soldering or expanding pex, crimping might be a good option for you, just be ready to fix some leaks afterwards.as for price those shark pipes you’re trying are very expensive and haven’t been tested trough time, if you’re gonna use them make sure you’re water pressure is low if not add a prv

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

Also maybe some one else here can help here, but I believed that hard water is especially bad for pex , (if too much chlorine in water) the pipe willl fail over time.research it and if needed maybe add a softer/filter system

 

[Matt30]

Chlorine was known to attack polybutylene piping. As far as I know there is no such claims for pex

 

[ExtraMilePlumbing]

Awesome matt ,a week ago a lady pulled out a google website saying how most pex failure is due too chlorine and hard water.i haven’t had a chance to research it on my own but as soon as I have free time I will

 

[RR60]

For well water I would consider the plastic pex crimp on fittings.

If cost is an issuse. goggle

NIBCO 1/2" & 3/4" Block Combo PEX Crimp Tool

Lot slower to use but almost fool proof. And just for one job. And gets in tight places.

Long straight runs in an attic. Run thru some PVC pipe. Pvc pipe cheap enough. Possiable to limit where a leak will come thru from an attic. Protects since are some rare cases a squirrel in the attic will eat thru pex.

Dont say if freezeing part of the country. But can even run pvc thru the ceiling above a water heater.
Some heat will travel up into the PVC to add a little heat. I myself do it this way for all pex in an attic. So no freezing and not even any joints in the attic. But add extra work.

Just some ideas i will add.

 

[Zanne]

Hmm.. Does iron sediment adversely affect PEX? I'm thinking of using PEX in some places as well, but I'm also on well water and there is a lot of iron in it.

 

[RR60]

Hmm.. Does iron sediment adversely affect PEX? I'm thinking of using PEX in some places as well, but I'm also on well water and there is a lot of iron in it.

On well water seems to be best to go with the plastic fittings.

I remember the one I did on a well about 10 years ago. Had problems with the brass fittings after only 4 years.

Only job I had a problem with.

 

[countryplum]

Thanks . I'm thinking about buying a manual expander and using ep fittings...
I most prob gonna get a whole house filter to help with the hard water

 

[Zanne]

Thanks . I'm thinking about buying a manual expander and using ep fittings...
I most prob gonna get a whole house filter to help with the hard water

I hope it goes well for you! Please keep us updated on your progress. I'm hoping everything will go smoothly.