Can You Be Your Own Plumber? Yes, With the PEX System

In 1968 Dr. Thomas Engel, a German inventor, developed a revolutionary method to chemically crosslink Polyethylene, a breakthrough in plastic technology that yields a tougher, more durable, and longer lasting material, we now know as PEX tubing. With 35 years of rigorous testing PEX tubing is the most thoroughly tested
tubing in the world.

Is PEX Better?

PEX tubing is tough yet flexible, resists corrosion and scaling, and can endure both ferocious heat and bitter cold. Not only is it used for plumbing, but it also is used for home fire safety, radiant floors, walkways, driveways, and in zoos to mimic the homeland climate of some of the world’s most exotic and endangered animals.

Installation is much easier than traditional plumbing. Connections are simple, yet solid. No soldering or messy primers or solvents are needed. With quick and easy fittings like Cash Acme’s SharkBite® (available in ½” to 1”), homeowners can adapt to existing pipes without the use of solder or glue and add to or replace older metal or ridged plastic plumbing systems with confidence.

Shape memory allows PEX tubing to expand and then shrink back to its normal size around fittings, creating strong, durable, and reliable fitting connections. Once a fitting is properly set it creates a leak-free connection. Shape memory also allows for quick repair with the use of a heat gun if kinks in the tubing develop. Unlike conventional plumbing products PEX tubing can be fed throughout the structure as one solid piece, bending and flexing around obstacles in as little as a
3 ½” for ½” tubing. No need for complex angled connectors that reduce water pressure and can compromise a structure that could lead to an expensive work-around. Installation time is greatly reduced with the ease of PEX as compared to metal or ridged plastic plumbing products.

Making the Connection

A product is only as good as its weakest or wettest link. There are four types of PEX fittings. The first is compression, the second is ProPEX or expansion, third is the SSC or clamp, and finally the fourth one is SharkBite®.

The QS-Style compression fittings don’t require a special tool. Therefore they should be used for smaller applications and one-time applications that don’t require a lot of connections.

The ProPEX fittings require the use of a ProPEX expander tool and ProPEX rings. These fittings come in many varieties, material, and sizes. The fittings are simple to use after a few tests with the expander tool. If a leak develops you can cut off the connector and start over.

Stainless steel clamp (SSC) fittings require the use of a clamping tool and stainless steel clamps. The tool can be used on multiple fitting sizes with the use of different size clamps. There are many different types of PEX fittings, valves, and manifolds (only for plumbing) made for the SSC System.

The SharkBite connection system uses an advanced push-fit design that works in two stages. No special tools are needed, and it’s the easiest way to join copper, CPVC, or PEX pipe in any combination. When the tube is inserted into the fitting it passes the first stage through a release collar and then through a stainless steel grab ring. The grab ring has teeth that open out and grip onto the tube. At the second stage the tube is pushed through an o-ring protector, which aligns the tube. A specially formulated o-ring is then compressed between the wall of the fitting and the tube before the end of the tube reaches the tube stop. Only when the tube has passed through the o-ring and reached the tube stop is a secure joint created. Although SharkBite connectors are the easiest to use they are pricy and should be used on small jobs or when you can’t use other types of connectors.

Re-plumbing your water supply lines could be a very intimidating task, before the PEX system. If you’re up to the challenge, the experts at A-Boy Plumbing & Electrical Supply can help you through every step of the way to install a new plumbing system in your home. They have all the supplies you need and tools for whichever connection type you choose. Visit your local A-Boy and start asking questions.