three_jeeps
Well-Known Member
Over the last 3-4 years, I have had at least 7-8 pin holes develop in the 1/2" copper water pipes in the basement of my house (build 1964 so pipes are ~50 y.o.). It has gotten to the point that I need to replace the water pipes in as much as the house as I have reasonable access to. My house has a full, below grade basement, with 1/2" copper line water service coming in near the basement floor through the flow meter, then makes a run of about 25' to the water heater. Just before the water heater is a T that supplies the cold lines to the rest of the house. The cold line in the basement goes to the stationary tub, the kitchen sink (first floor), and to the first floor powder room, and a run to the second floor baths rooms (2). The hot water line follows parallel routing after exiting the hot water tank. All lines are 1/2" copper. Basement is heated/living area.
After doing some reading, I am pretty much decided on redoing the piping with PEX. While I learned to sweat fit copper 40 years ago as an apprentice, I changed fields and have rarely done copper pipe rework, only on emergency repair basis.
I have a few questions for the experts who do this for a living and I seek their advice.
1. Given that the ID of 1/2" PEX is slightly smaller than that of 1/2" copper, should I use 5/8" (3/4"?) PEX for the line after the flow meter and the rest of the lines in the basement, then use 1/2" for the runs to the 2nd floor? I currently don't have any water pressure or low flow issues.
2. I would like pointers to where I can get 'trade quality' PEX components and, more importantly, tools, e.g. crimper and rings. Good brand name mfg suggestions are appreciated - dont' want 3rd world knockoffs/big box products..I don't mind paying reasonable prices for good quality tools and materials.
3. I am strongly considering following the existing piping with PEX (using 'T's and elbows as necessary) as opposed to using a manifold and fanout to individual fixtures. Given the configuration of my basement, there doesn't seem to be a good location to mount a manifold. Is there any problem with this approach that I should be aware of? I do understand the convenience of shutting off individual lines at the manifold but there are shut off valves at each of the fixtures.
Advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
-John
After doing some reading, I am pretty much decided on redoing the piping with PEX. While I learned to sweat fit copper 40 years ago as an apprentice, I changed fields and have rarely done copper pipe rework, only on emergency repair basis.
I have a few questions for the experts who do this for a living and I seek their advice.
1. Given that the ID of 1/2" PEX is slightly smaller than that of 1/2" copper, should I use 5/8" (3/4"?) PEX for the line after the flow meter and the rest of the lines in the basement, then use 1/2" for the runs to the 2nd floor? I currently don't have any water pressure or low flow issues.
2. I would like pointers to where I can get 'trade quality' PEX components and, more importantly, tools, e.g. crimper and rings. Good brand name mfg suggestions are appreciated - dont' want 3rd world knockoffs/big box products..I don't mind paying reasonable prices for good quality tools and materials.
3. I am strongly considering following the existing piping with PEX (using 'T's and elbows as necessary) as opposed to using a manifold and fanout to individual fixtures. Given the configuration of my basement, there doesn't seem to be a good location to mount a manifold. Is there any problem with this approach that I should be aware of? I do understand the convenience of shutting off individual lines at the manifold but there are shut off valves at each of the fixtures.
Advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
-John
