How to join pex (plastic pipe) five different ways. Plumbing Tips!
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- Опубликовано: 7 июн 2024
- 32 years in the trade has taught me a few things. A number of different ways to join plastic pipe together for the average home owner...most tools can be rented for the day....Please subscribe and have a great day.
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Many, many thanks, not even people at home depot were able to explain the process as good as you did, thank you very, very much.
Thank you so much for taking the time to film and post these videos! My home was built in 1984 with the plastic pipe available at the time. I had to have the entire house re-piped in 2015 with PEX. Now though, I want to do some remodeling and I needed to understand how this stuff worked. Your videos are well organized, easy to understand and helped me make sense of all the different parts that I saw at the plumbing store.
Hello IDGAFA,
You're welcome!
I like to hear that! I put together a four part series repiping a home as well. If you have not seen them yet they may be worth a look.
I hope your reno goes well!
If you have any questions in the future feel free to ask!
Thanks for the kind words and enjoy your weekend! Al
I watched some of your videos. Very nice. Thank you for sharing your experiance.
Thank you for the demonstration of so many ways to put water pipe together this really help me in my new job where I have no plenty experience
Hello Shannon,
You're welcome!
Hopefully it will help with any future projects.
Any questions on anything just fire away!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
Very good video. Informative and insightful. Thank you
Wonderful. Thank you for the video. Planning to go pex and never look back. 😊
Hello David Ibarra,
You're welcome!
Once you get the hang of it you will be all set. Copper isn't used that often except for going into and out of hot water heaters. I use it on heating systems as well, but once I get to the floor joists I go with PEX. So much faster than copper.
I put out a four part video of doing waterlines in a house. May help if you are interested.
This is the second part of the four part series. The first one talks about the fittings.
"How to Install Pex Pipe Waterlines in Your Home. Part 2. Plumbing Tips!"
Best of luck with the project!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
dude,thanks for sharing your knowleged,and i'm learning .... i love your video
Nice tips here. Nice to see information from an experienced plumbing source.
Russell Craig
Thanks for the kind words!
I have been at it for over three decades now. Things have changed dramatically since that time.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
thanks very much for sharing your knowledge .
Exciting video ! I couldnt stay awake
Very good read I must say!
For Uponor (Wirsboro) and Rehau (the 2 expansion systems shown) you should have had at least 2 expansions with the expansion tool rotated between expansions so that the entire interior diameter of the pipe was expanded. Without rotating the tool, the slots in the tool expansion head will create unexpanded grooves inside the pipe and be a potential source for future leaks.
Nice video, thanks for sharing your expertise.
Hello Rick;
You are more then welcome!
Thanks very much for the kind words!
Thanks for commenting and best of luck with any future projects! Al
i had guy use those copper crimp on water line to outside faucet but after the shut off valve he used fittings that went inside the line reducing water flow to my sprinkler, so this was helpful when i change out the fittings so as i can get back my flow for sprinkler, great video.
Hello wisco,
Thanks!
Hopefully the repair will go well for you!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
I've been curious about this plastic plumbing option. I think your video is well done. Thanks for the info.
Hello Joe Blow;
Thanks very much for the kind words.
Pex has been around for a number of decades now and they are always improving it.
There are a number of manufacturers and applications. It took me a while to come around to using it, but now it is second nature.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
Have only used the copper crimp ring style as of yet. No problems, leaks or callbacks in the 8+ years of using those with pex. Been in hvac for 32+ years and done plumbing/elect. repairs for about same amount of time. Going to mostly pex was one of greatest moves I ever made,lol. Will look around for the others and price them and also check their availability. Probably stick with the copper crimps due to being fast with it now and no problems. Nice to know of others though. Thanks and take care.
Thanks for the tips,it helps a lot : )
Hello Rick;
You are more then welcome!
I hope you gte along well with any future projects!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
Great bit of history you showed us there. For special occasions I prefer shark bite fittings. Had to pull out my dish washer and they left it so short I could not reach in to unscrew. Cut the line between the dish washer and the 90 isolation valve, and shark bite it back together when done. Now it's there should I need to remove the appliance again or replace it. For those who say shark bites are too expensive, I agree, and if you shop carefully you can find superb deals on amazon, crushing the local store price.
Hello acoustic4037,
Glad everything worked out well for you!
They are a bit pricey, but they do work. I have used them with no issues and as big as 2" in size. Ideal for places where water is an issue.
I will have to check that out on the pricing.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
at last an informative youtube clip without the bull$hiT thank you sir!
Love the clamping system and with no soldering required its perfect for use off the grid home builders, quick n easy and no Japanezy.
Hello Specialized 29er,
Definitely a good system. Pex is very popular now. Used all over the world. I have installed many miles of it over the past number of years. Big thing is to keep it covered or away from UV rays from the sun or florescent bulbs and it will be around for decades. The rays will break it down. In places where it is near lights I cover it with pipe insulation wrap to protect it. All good.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Those last two give more piece of mind.
Hello Arthur,
They all do the job, but I do know what you are saying when it comes to the last two. They do have a better bite and hold on the pipe although Wirsbo is a great product as well.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your day! Al
I use copper before anything, but may try one of these other types, but only on a long run. Never for fixtures. We had a new house back in I think 98, in a three-hundred unit development. The houses all started leaking. I fixed our house , by cutting off the compression ring. wrapping a few turns of wire where the ring was. And then used a hose clamp. The wire dug in and held. Hired me to fix a lot of the homes there. Still got a big law suit. I don`t know what happened.
Hello Arthur,
I believe the type of pipe and fittings you maybe talking about is KItec.
There fittings had two o-rings on them and the pipe slid over it while a nut and sleeve were used to compress the pipe onto the fitting. The pipe also had an aluminum shield in it as well that played a part in the pipe failing I believe.
The systems you see here are totally different then Kitec.
Some have been around for a few decades with no issues.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
I use pex all the time, i'm with toll brothers the first tool you demonstrated works vry works well i did over a hundred houses no problems . But good job of of showing different types of tools and pex connections
+Brenden Petrics
Thanks Brenden!
They all work very well! I am a Viega fan myself now that the price of Rehau fittings has increased so much!
I am sure there will be more manufacturers in the future. Pex is a great product in my books!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
Hello Silicondoc;
Pex has been in Europe since the 60's. It was introduced into the U.S in the 1980's. I am not sure if you have ever checked inside a soldered fitting that has had water running through it for 25 years, but the flux is still there and I am sure that is not good for you either. Like anything when it comes to water; you only want the best to drink. Unless you are getting it from a spring and drinking it directly then there is bound to be something in it.
Tks 4 commenting! Al
Great job thank you
Hello Ozzy Sabbath,
You're welcome!
Hopefully it helps with any future projects!
Thanks for the kind words and enjoy your week! Al
@kamphwagon1 That is great to know. I am planning on doing the same thing. The pex is hard to beat for sure.What type of pex was it you used for the test? I am going to give 3 or 4 brand names a try. It is amazing to see what pex will take. A friend of mine has it in his barn now for about 6 years. It freezes every winter. He turns the water on in the spring and hasn't had any trouble yet. Thanks for your comment and enjoy your day!!! Al
Hello Cameron;
Yes, I have tried 4 different techniques and I am a big fan of Rehau!
It is probably the best system out there! The only problem is the fittings have doubled since they first came into play! $9 for a half inch tee is a bit much; where as Veiga is less then half of that. Veiga fittings are bronze as well and the sleeve is on the fitting, so there is no chasing a fallen sleeve.
Rehau is an excellent system!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
Thanks! Much easier than what I was doing before
Terchila Ionut Giorgian
You are more then welcome!
Installing pex is so much easier then copper. There are still a few things that you must be aware of when installing it. When installing pex near florescent lights you should cover it with something barrier to prevent it from breaking down. The sun does the exact same thing to it. Pex for waterlines cannot be used on heating as an oxygen barrier is required for heating systems to prevent oxygen penetration.
It took me a while to become comfortable with it coming from the old school theory, but now I would not think about going back to copper.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
as long as the temp is followed listed for the pex a oxygen barrier is not required
Hello Jim,
An oxygen barrier is required when using pex for heating. Example... Aqua pex can be used with temperatures of 200 degrees for domestic hot water, but CANNOT be used on heating systems. An oxygen barrier is required on all pex that is used on hot water heating systems!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
Great information. I used to be an irrigation contractor, pipes and fittings are always interesting to me and you've surely shown me things I wondered about concept-wise, but never saw. It's been over 20 years since I left the irrigation business. So now for my problem ... I have to extend the standard INLET OUTLET pipe system on a Whirlpool portable (rollaway) dishwasher. It needs to remain in place, which means I have to extend the hoses. This will have to be a resectioning rather than installing new longer hose on the dishwasher fittings. Being a portable, the system that connects to the faucet will remian intact for connecting up and disconnecting. No it will never look professional, it just needs to be functional. I've hesitated with every connector idea I come up with. Because of the type of hose, it would seem these systems you've so well demonstrated, won't work, as is. I was hoping you might have some thoughts/suggestions. Thanks for considering my issue.
Dennis Maltz Like you had stated....it will be a resection. You want to use fittings that you will not have to worry about coming apart. I suggest using brass barbed couplings and hose similar to that on the machine.. If you cannot find these fittings then I suggest purchasing 2 couplings for each hose and male by barbed adaptors. These brass fittings may be easier to find. You will need small clamps as well, but I am sure you know this already. Four male by barbed for each hose.
To insure you get the proper size because the two hoses have different inside diameters; I would take a short piece of the hoses with you. Your local hardware store or big box store should carry these fittings. Barbed to barbed would be great as you would not have to make up the male adaptors into the threaded couplings.....
I hope this helps!
Just a note...Pex pipe does not like sunlight; so it would not be suitable for outside. Although most of it is UV protected; it still breaks down over a short period of time.
Thanks for commenting and good luck with the project! Al
TheOldkid888 Thanks for taking your time to offer a suggestion. The reason that I have not settled on barbed brass with old style hose clamps is the clunkiness of having the screw system so external, and the tail of the clamp sticking out to where it can get caught on items that are permanently on the counter, during hook up. Then there is how easily one can actually cut a finger on them, especially with repeated handling. This has been my hesitation and my reason for looking for an alternative. I understand that the texture as well as the thickness of the hose is my problem for other connection systems. I've actually thought of trying to insert several inches of rigid copper tubing into the hoses, if i can get it in there. I've looked for a non-toxic adhesive to spread on the last inch, continue to insert, and then use some kind of a band to simultaneously hold the two pieces of hose at their split, where the adhesive would be more liberally applied to act as gasketing. I surely know how impossible that probably is, giving the lack of good enough adhesives for that material, on the general market. I really am just trying to smooth out the connections, less obstruction. I guess this really does just have to be old school :)
Hello Dennis;
The thing to keep in mind is the pressure that will be on the supply line.
A clamp that maybe a little more appealing and smoother would be the cinch clamp. It is stainless and simply compresses onto the pipe with a hand tool.
I have a friend who use to use them on every piece of equipment and in your case this may be a much better way then a regular pipe clamp. They were the first ones I demonstrated in this video. They come in different sizes as well and I believe serve the purpose.
I would still use two barbed couplings though. It would give you a better sense of assurance rather then a piece of copper tubing.
Just my two cents....
Thanks for commenting and let me know what you think. Al
Hello J Bennett;
Thanks very much for the kind words!
You are more then welcome!
Thank for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
thanks for posting friend
+NOBOX7
You are more than welcome!
I am not sure about any issues on the cancer end of this material. I would imagine you could get the product safety data sheets on them. These materials have been around for more than 5 decades now.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
Hello Sean;
I am glad you enjoyed the video. I try and keep my videos as direct as possible.
No sense in beating around the bush!
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
I just started learning about viega (pronounced veega...I know...I said it like you before I heard it from the company videos:) man, talk about an awesome product. in my area it's nibco. I tend to go for the cinch ring method. very user friendly. nice vid
Hello highonimmi;
I have become a big Veiga fan myself as there is no chasing rings for the most part and the fittings are reasonable.
The fittings are bronze and should last a lifetime.
I have used a number of systems and this one is now the go to.
I used Rehau for a good amount of time and that system is excellent as well, but the price of the fittings have more then doubled.
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
Saludos great video
Hello Aron Carvajal,
Thanks very much!
Hopefully it will help with any future projects!
Thanks for the kind words and have a great week! Al
I just got my PEX certification today from Viega. Got a free pex bottle opener (part of their German heritage). Anyway they have a hand gun type tool made by Ridge that mechanically crimps copper, steel and pex utilizing different head- called Pressed Technology. Very cool actually, makes easy work for crimping PEX instead of doing it by hand crank.
In your videos you talk about waterline .What is your opinion about this type of pipes
used in heating systems? Radiator (not radiant) heating, where the water temperature are 80-95 degrees Celsius.The pipes and joins are same reliables like in waterline? This kind of join (like Rehau or Viega) may be use in screed? I am from Europe, our houses are made from bricks and concret.
Not sure of the question or response.I have many tools that join pex together in this video that I have used in the past and worked just fine.I guess it would be up to you on how you would like to join the pipe.Pex maybe joined other ways I am sure,but I do not know of them.This is a video of some examples...Have a good day.
Hello patricklundy100;
Pex has been around for more the 4 decades. It has been in North America for over 30 years.
I am a big believer in it. I have installed miles of it without any issues. biggest thing to worry about is sunlight or fluorescent lights as it will break the pipe down over time, but proper installation and you are worry free.
I for one would never use copper unless the homeowner specified so.
Thanks for commenting and have a great day! Al
Hello MrOzgar ;
I know Wirsbo systems all work like that. You can make the connection and have no problems as far as turning the fitting in another direction.
As long as it is water tight is all that really matters.
Thanks for commenting and have a great day! Al
Thank you
I started Apprenticeship in Jan of 1979 in Detroit MI. Last job was Master Plumber of Detroits Municipal Water System, DWSD. Nice Video for home gamers. But anything involving Natural Gas, please call a Licensed Professional and ask for a Permit and Inspection.
Hello Stephen,
Started in 78 myself.
I have mentioned in other comments about getting the right people in for certain jobs. Both oil and gas technicians to name a few. No sense in making a small job to into a disaster. There are people who think they can repair anything, but as you and I both know certain jobs are better off being done by professionals. Gas definitely being one of them.
I posted a video on cross boring a few years ago. Not many people know about it, but I hope it helps in preventing lives.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
When you want to do a renovation on a house that has pipe already in place, can you use different fittings than those already in place? For example, if the house is fitted with Rehau, can you use one of the other systems to make new joints? Or, is it better to just use the same system they are already using?
Hello dfried97;
Thanks very much!
It is always good to see what is new in plumbing for sure.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your day! Al
@spelunkerd Hello;
If your home is piped with Rehau for example; you can use any system with this pipe.
Rehau and Wirsbo are classed as pexA and are suited for any system. Viega on the other hand cannot be expanded becuase it does not have a memory like the other 2 mentioned.
All pex pipe can be crimped which is becoming the most popular method to homeowners because of the cost. The tools are relatively inexpensive compared to R. and W.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week!
Al
Thank you!
Hello Jodie,
You're welcome!
Hopefully it helps with any future projects!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy the holidays! Al
Hello GalaXy808;
Sorry for the late response!
You are more then welcome! Glad you enjoy the videos!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Hello edardo67;
You are more then welcome!
I hope your project goes along well!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your day! Al
i`v been familiar with all these systems for years. My weekends are always fine.
Hello Arthur,
LOL!
No doubt they are if you are familiar with them. Always busy!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Sounds like mine are better than yours. Enjoy yout weekend. At least try.
Arthur Bradley
Thanks! Al
Arthur Bradley u
@BiGPoo5125 Hello there;
A little of both happened. The tool did get broken in and the forearms got stronger in using it. LOL Great system though. The press fit with the copper ing is probably becoming more homeowner friendly. The tool is around $60 now made by sharkbite and the system is simple to use.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy the holidays!!! Al
thanks for the vid. Ok just a little confused. I believe at one point you are critical of the brass fittings because of corrosion but later state your personal favorite system uses brass fittings. Can you please clarify? Many thanks
Hello Gene;
The Propex expander is only for Uponor ( Wirsbo ) fittings. The tool for this application is actually cone shaped and is inserted into the pipe a little bit at a time until it is in the proper distance. The end of the tool that is used for Rehau is actually straight and fits all the way into the pipe and expands outward each time it is pumped. Both Rehau and Uponor or Wirsbo as I call it are the only 2 types of pex that are Class A.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your day! Al
Hello dozdeshabb;
You are more then welcome!
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
hi! sir,this is the tutorial that ive been loookinggg forrrr.ihave a question?where can i buy those products,do they have it in lowes?
I had no idea plumbing could be so overwhelming and intimidating until my well pump and water heater went to visit little baby Jesus in heaven all at the same time I was installing a yard hydrant for the duck house for the first time. Faucet threads are not the same as NPT union threads are not the same as nipple threads. You make the cornucopia of crosslinked polyethylene comprehensible and less fearful.
Is it possible to be a plumber where I don't have to work in crawl spaces, on ladders, on roofs, or lay on my back or be on my knees under cabinetry? Would I have to work on toilets and septic systems? It seems like HVAC and electrical trades do a lot of pipes and tubes too.
Thank you for not showing a plumber's crack during the great overview of different manufacturers PEX fittings.
I now can hold my head high in Lowes and Home Depot plumbing section without looking like a peckerwood noob.
In fact they look at me with wonder when I distinguish Pipe from Tube. IPS-ID (iron pipe size, inside diameter controlled) vs. CTS-OD (copper tubing size, outside diameter controlled), but still don't give me a discount --and I'm Jewish. My people never pays full retail!
Hello Jules!
That was priceless.
Unfortunately plumbers work in every type of environment and some of them you want to forget.
Great job on knowing the difference in piping, tubing and threads.
They should give you a discount on that alone!
No worries about the plumbers crack.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
+koviak,
✡ Adios ✡ amoeba ✡ #JDL ✡
שָׁלוֹם
start with plumbing, end with antisemitic rants... I don't understand it. Do you like stalk this guy? You seem convinced that everything you dislike about him comes from his Jewishness. What is going on?
Hello Arek;
Are the fittings in your house plastic or brass.
I know the crimp ring system is very popular now in many homes. I am not a fan of it, but apparently it has been working very well. Many homes I am in have this system in it!
Thanks for commenting and best of luck with your project! Al
@SkiOregonPowder Hello there;
They are always coming out with new technology and I think it helps to see it first hand.
I believe the first 2 methods are the most common and economical as the tool can be purchased relatively inexpensive along with the fittings. I think time will be the judge on the systems, but they say they have been in Europe for many years before it came to North America.
Thanks for commenting and all the best in 2012!!! Al
Good video. Have tried the REHAU PX fitting and sleeve yet?
thank you sir :)
Hello ReBro,
You're welcome!
Hopefully it will help with any future projects!
Thanks for commenting and have a good weekend! Al
very nice good
Hello Jatinder,
Thanks!
Hopefully it will help with any future projects!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Thanks!!
+todd mattina
You are more than welcome!
Hopefully it will help you with any future projects!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
Just bought the copper ring crimper for a small job, wow pex installs fast and $3 for 10 feet of 1/2 line is not bad either. I may become a convert, at least on other people's homes.
Hello binnnsh;
Once you start using it; it will be hard to go back to copper. I use it whenever I can. Much faster then copper without a doubt! It is considerably cheaper as well!
Thanks for commenting and let me know how you get along! Al
Thanks for the great info! Veiga gets easier, or forearms get stronger? el oh el
At 3:30 in your video, is there a tool to remove that type of ring other than cutting the pipe, i need to replace a few shut off valves with this type of fitting, thanks.
Thank you for this informative video. Which of these connections, in your opinion reduces the flow less? Reason why is my plumber cut short my PEX pipes during install for some reason unknown to me and I would like to maintain flow and of course pressure as the pipe continues with its run from main to plant room.
Hello user-jf7sw6zh8t,
You're welcome!
Both Rehau and Uponor (Wirsbo) fittings have 1/2" inside diameters which does not restrict the flow as much as any crimped fittings. The crimped and cinched fittings that you can pick up at most hardware stores which use the stainless steel bands and copper rings use fittings that have a very small inside diameter. They will do the job, but restrict the flow considerably. Most noticeable when a few fixtures are running.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Is there a PSI rating for the different methods you used?
The stainless clamps are the best reason being you cant get into tight places with any of the others. Great to see it work on a bench but try in the field when your limited for space.
Hello DISCERNMENT FILES,
Totally agree. It can be very tough at times to get the tool in place to make a watertight joint. A little planning of the connections is generally what I do. I get all my measurements and then put everything together. Once that is done, I slide it into place. The new battery operated tools are much easier than the hand crank.
Limited space is always an issue regardless, but planning is key!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
@d1i1c1k1i1e1 Hello;
The waterlines probably are galvanized and nit steel, although they may look like they are. To join pex to this pipe you would have to go back to a threaded connection and remove the pipe and then install a threaded pex male adaptor and go from there with your pex pipe. As long as the pipe you are unthreading is in good shape you should have no trouble.
Thanks for commenting and best of luck!! Al
Hello MrManchesterplumber;
I am glad you enjoyed it!
Tried to cover all the basis!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
@hvactecster79 Hello;
I have used a number of different ways myself,but the crimp ring is economical and very easy to use.The Veiga system is very fast.I believe it was my last type in this video.The fittings are made of bronze.The tool is much more expensive and the fittings are as well.I like Rehau as the inside diameter of the fittings is bigger.
The crimp system with the copper ring is very popular and most homeowners can afford to install this system themselves.
Enjoy Your day! Al
The Wisbo cross link manufacturing process makes the tubes more flexible and have less coil memory which I think makes it easier to install because it doesn't curl up as much. If you kink the tube you can repair it with a heat gun. the others you have to cut and splice. Its been used for 50 years.
+Anthony Romano
Wirsbo is a Pex A pipe and can be kinked and then repaired with a heat gun. I actually did it on a 1" line myself and the results was very good. I think it is one of the most popular used, but some of the others are now making a strong charge.
Veiga which is Pex B is picking up in popularity. Rehau has out priced itself. The fittings are exceptionally expensive now as compared to the other manufacturers; at least in this region.
I know pex has been around for decades, but I wasn't certain of Wirsbo being around that length of time....
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
I have only used a battery operated pex gun. love it. could run pex all day. oh wait. I do!! 80 unit apartment complex
Hello Patricia Salter,
Battery operated is very nice to use for sure!
80 units keeps you busy no doubt!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your weekend! Al
Hello Greg;
I am glad you like it!
Thanks for commenting and have a great day! Al
Ok
Just 2 days ago I got fix my very first pex pipe with help of my father telling me how do it with 1/2 plastic tee.
Hello bloodytears2006;
Congrats on your repair with pex! Great stuff to work with for sure!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
There is a latch on the viega crimper to bring the handles together a bit for when you first start, then after crimping a bit you let the handles go apart and finish. Makes squeezing easier because the handles stay closer.
Hello skoronea,
I found that out shortly after making this video. I thought I would end up with arms like Popeye by the time the tool was broke in. They said it would take a while, but that little latch makes all the difference in the world when it comes to starting the fitting.
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
Hello Cyn333444555;
I picked up a bottle opener myself! Worked fine! German engineering! Impressive!
The tool you are talking about is a ProPress tool by Ridgid! I made a few videos about it! Amazing piece of equipment and I have done a few jobs with it!
When I first saw it compress a copper fitting on a piece of copper pipe I was mighty impressed!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
With pex you'd be a damn fool to piss around with copper ProPress for 100x the price!
Look up 'Creep' in wikipedia. Creep as it relates to material science. Understand why most of these fittings won't work long term. Only the Uponor Propex system will stand up to time. Fast, better flow, dependable.
Good stuff.
+NY Mogul
Thanks for the kind words!
Hope this will help you with any future projects!
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
+TheOldkid888 Thanks Al. I just started working with a plumber as a mid-life career change so your videos are coming in handy. Enjoy your week!
Hello NY Mogul;
You are more than welcome!
Best of luck with the new career!
I am sure it will treat you well! Al
I've done the first method many times. I am not a plumber but I have never had a problem. I like it better than the second brass crimp ring setup because the crimping tool is much more compact which allows you to crimp in tighter spaces. Also, you don't have to have different crimp tools for different size rings. One thing you need to make sure of is that the pex is not too cold with both the crimp ring methods. I usually heat the pex up a little if it is chilly. Another thing too. I have found the copper fittings tend to have mineral buildup where I live in SC pretty quickly. The PEX itself doesn't. This might recommend the plastic fittings if you have high mineral content in your water.
Hello dnsmithnc,
I am a big fan of brass fittings myself. You are correct with using them over copper. Plastic is good as well.
I know the tool makes a difference in any installation. The cinch system works well as long as the tool makes a proper joint as they are manufactured by different companies. I found fittings on certain joints made by the cinch clamps actually turn after the joint is made and that depends on the tool.
The copper ring system doesn't allow this to happen although the tool is bigger and doesn't fit into tight spaces so a little more planning is required.
Thanks for the input and enjoy your weekend! Al
You are probably right about the cinch tool. I was an early adopter of the cinch method back in the early 90's and at that time, the tool was about $117.00 from a plumbing supply house which was where you had to get it, at least in my area. Today, you can get a cinch tool for about $39.00 from Lowes. I wonder if the quality is as good. Thanks for the reply and thanks for the well done videos.
Hello dnsmithnc,
You are more than welcome!
The price has dropped substantially since you made the first purchase. I am not sure about the quality.
There are a number of manufaturers now.
It makes me a little nervous when you can turn the joint after you havecrimped it. As I mentioned before; depends on the manufacturer of the tool.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your wek! Al
Thanks again for your videos.
If the crimp tool (stainless rings), is making a joint that can be spun, assuming that is an indication of a weak joint, can't you recalibrate the tool to make the joint tighter, being careful to not make it too tight?
hey oldkid,very nice video
just wanted to ask if there is a way to couple pvc food grade reinforced hose ( ID 20) to a ss (stainless steel) threaded pipe ( OD
Hello Jasmeet;
I am not aware of any pex fittings that will help you out on this one, but you can use a female threaded adaptor to barbed fitting; screw it onto the stainless steel and then clamp the hose onto the barbed end. This should work for you!
Thanks for commenting and best of luck with your project! Al
how much for that manual pump for expanding the pex, and where could I find one? all I can find are the very expensive electric pumps.
theoldkid88, Do you think that compressed/crimped copper to copper fittings are better than the pex fittings ? I am not talking about the shark bite , rather the all copper 90s, 45s, valves, etc connected to good ole cooper lines . . .
Any feed back . I have to buy into one system!
Thanks for all the videos!!
+GetMikeNyce
Everything has a place, but I am a big fan of pex. When I was first introduced to the product I was skeptical, but gradually started using it and it is the go to for both waterlines and heating lines.
Coming off of any oil fired or gas water heaters I always install copper up to the floor and then run pex from there. I also run copper coming off of all boilers up to the floor and run pex from there to radiation as well.
As far as compression fittings go they have been used for many years and a lot people have valves under their fixtures where they go from copper to flex connections. I believe pex is better than compression and much cheaper as well.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
It's a good system folks
Is there a maximum water temperature you should run your hot water heater at to prevent Wirsbo or any other of the connections from failing?
Hello rlknight57,
You don't want to have the water too hot. The higher the temperature, the lower the rating as far as pressure goes and that is for all pex. I believe Wirsbo's rating is 200 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 pounds pressure. Personally I don't try and push the high end of hot water.
180 is more than plenty if you have a coil in a boiler.
Coming out of an electric water heater I generally turn them down below 140. Usually in the 130 range.
Found a chart on Wirsbo pipe....
200°F (93.3°C) at 80 psi
180°F (82.2°C) at 100 psi
120°F (48.9°C) at 130 psi (½" tubing only)
73.4°F (23°C) at 160 psi
So as you can see the lower the temperature/the higher the pressure rating.
That is for Wirsbo....it is Class A pex. There are three different classes...A,B, and C. Some other pex pipe would not have that high a rating I believe as they are made differently.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
Thanks for this info1 The Wirsbo expander you used is manual and seems more simple than the ones that I can find for $400, the Milwaukee M12. Do you know where I can find the expander too you used? Thanks in advance!
+Cari Shumaker
Not sure how much pex you are planning on running, but the manual expander is up there in price as well. The manual kit was around 720 I got it.
I would consider renting one if you are only going to do a single dwelling. I would run all your pipe and then line the tool up to make the connections.
Thanks for commenting and best of luck with the project! Al
Great video, I've been looking into the Rehau fittings and Tool. Do you know where I can buy a Rehau tool kit online?
thanks
+Christian C
Thank you!
A few plumbing wholesalers sell this system and some do deal with the public. The price of the kit is quite high. If you are planning on doing a lot of work it may be worth while investing in it, but since I made this video the price of the fittings has sky rocketed and I have begun using Veiga.
Veiga has begun using plastic fittings as well that are much cheaper then the bronze fittings that they sold. It is a simple crimp ring as you saw in the video. The rings come attached to the fittings so there is no chasing rings as well except on a few fittings such as valves.
I have become a Veiga fan...
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
Even if your tool has been recently calibrated, a crimp ring pex fitting with easily spin in the pipe. In fact, its common practice to join pipes with the fitting at the most convenient position for crimping and then to rotate the pipe and fitting to the correct orientation. Uponor Wirsbo is the superior system as the pipe is constantly trying to compress down onto a full bore fitting rather than having a pipe constantly trying to expand away from a partial bore fitting in a crimp system.
Hello Aaron;
I have used the Uponor system many times. It is probably the most popular system as the fittings are relatively inexpensive as compared to Rehau or Viega. You can spin the fittings with this system quite easily and have no worries with leaks. I was a little hesitant to do it at first, but after doing it and having no issues; I began to have confidence in it.
This system was the first that I used as far as using a tool.
I installed some kitec when it came out about 25 years ago, but it was a little difficult to use as you had to solder the fittings onto the copper and be careful not to ruin the o-rings. I removed them for the most part.
The crimp ring system is not an expensive system and the bonus side is you can purchase it at some of the big box stores. I have not used it that often as I stick to Viega now that the fittings for the Rehau system which is the Cadillac in my books have gone through the roof in price.
It is a bonus when you can turn the fittings in the pipe although it still makes me a little nervous everytime I turn them, but I have had no issues.
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
I had polybutylene in my house; but have been removing and replacing with pex. I have 1/2" & 3/4" crimpers, repairs are very easy unless it's behind a wall. it's easy to tidy up unsightly poor routing of pipes.
Hello Daryl,
Nice!
Pex can be run neatly as well as just thrown in place. It takes about the same amount of time.
I prefer the first myself!
Congrats on the work done!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your day! Al
Thanks so much. This is very handy info. I purchased a new crimp tool and crimped a replacement T and a couplings to repair a leak. The No-Go/Go gauge showed that the new tool, with the lightest crimp settings, was a bit over-crimped. Since I couldn't make it have less force with the crimp, I went ahead and finished the job. When I turned the water on there, were no leaks.
I just wondered if I should worry that it would leak later? What is the typical result of over-crimping -- an immediate leak?
Thanks, and thanks again for the great info! :)
EagleSong
You are more then welcome!
Was it the DMC tool? I really don't think you will have any problems with it. Haven't had a lot of experience with it myself, but I believe from what I read on it; you should be all set. Just my opinion...
Congrats on the job!
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al
TheOldkid888 Ok great! Thanks so much. So far so good! :)
Have a good one! Al
You didn’t show Sharkbite. We’re they not around at the time? First time I’m ever hearing about Rehau is from this video. Never knew they even existed.
I have a question maybe you ca tell me my setup the pipe I.D 3/4” 17 ft coming off a 1” pipe. At the back of my house. I am running 1/2” NG hose with quick connections and the length will a little less than 50ft. This NG line is going to my 13hp 420cc motor and since appliances have a BTU reading my generator is HP only. I had a couple responses told me my pipe size and total feet from house would be giving 36,000 BTU and my generator would only require 28’000 BTU and another told me I could take the 1/2” hose farther then what intended. If you agree my diam and length of gas line will feed my generator what it needs for smooth operation. So far the gas guy on RUclips said I would have 6,000 extra BTU’s. Let me know I’m ok or need different sizes and why?
Hello Captainkleen,
I am sorry, I can't really comment on this area. Not my forte.
Best of luck with the project!
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
How do I know that the plastic pipe is UV protected? Last time Home Depot told me to wrap 1/2 overlapped a Black tape 2" wide & 60 ft long(10$/roll) to get that UV protection.
I have done a lot of soldering but I like this new PEX (I have never done) & also Shark byte fittings.
Hello Manohar,
All Pex pipe comes with some UV protection, but if exposed to UV rays either from the sun or florescent lights;
the pipe will break down.
Not many people realize this and I have seen the pipe break off completely sticking up through concrete slabs while left outside exposed to the sun and also cracks formed from florescent lights. This happened over a long period of time, but it happened regardless. In any places where the pipe may be exposed I use foam insulation. It doesn't happen often, but a little insulation will correct the problem.
Pex is an excellent product, but this is one thing that has to be addressed if you should come across the situation.
I couldn't say how much pex pipe has been run over the years, but it would be staggering.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Great video! I’m looking for a plumber to answer my questions related to plumbing codes for piping waste lines for a bathroom, of course I would pay them. Are you interested?
I did 4 PEX joints and one of them would weep a single drop of water every time I wiped it away but never became drips running down the pipe. It did this for a few hours before I went to bed but in the morning there wasn’t any sign it was still weeping. Would gently warming the PEX with a heat gun soften the PEX enough for the barbs on the fitting to make a better seal? I also noticed the teeth on the nose of the tool leaves small ridges impressed on the inside of the pipe that could seem to produce a leak path.
Hello rlknight57,
What system (manufacturer) was it you used on the pex pipe and what was the brand of pipe?
Thanks for commenting and get back to me when you get a chance....Al
I used the Apollo tool, sleeves, and Prolock PE-RT pipe sold by Home Depot. It’s been several days and there has not been any more weeping. The fitting at issue is a three wing 90 degree PEX to 1/2” FIP mounted to a 2x4 support. There was just a slight angle on the pipe to fitting so I unscrewed the fitting from the 2x4 to allow the PEX to return to size without any side tension.
Thanks
I did a little experiment. I took a short piece of Pro PEX and slipped a sleeve on the end. Then using my expansion tool expanded the end of the pipe as per a normal install. But I just set it on the counter to see how long it would take to return to beginning size. After about an hour it had returned to half the size. After a week it is finally almost, but not quite back to pre expansion size.
Which one do you think is the most economical/easiest for running air compressor lines
Hello Jtinnon,
I have never used it on a compressor line myself, but it should work. I generally run copper tubing with flared fittings or soldered joints. Generally the pressure for any kind of nailing and such is above 80 psi. If you are going above 100 I would use copper.
I am sure that Rehau and Viega would work for pressures over 100. Crimp ring may as well.
Thanks for commenting and best of luck with the project! Al
hello! I have a question about the brass rehau systems. i have had a few leaks and wanted to know if its possiblt to fix them without cutting the pipeing and installing a new one. i used PEX B pipes with the brass fittings and have obvioulsy had problems. the fittings and pipes were bought at the same store. do you have any suggestions?
Hello Noam,
I would go back to the store for starters and let them know that Pex B can not be expanded. If they suggested that combination; they should do something for you. Pex A only can be used with Rehau and Uponor (Wirsbro). It is the only pex that can be expanded. Pex B can only be crimped. In your situation; it is possible that you could end up having leaks continuously until the last connection do to expansion and contraction.
There is no way of making a repair without cutting out the joint and replacing it to make the repair. The tough part is that if you intend on leaving the pipe that you have in place you will have to use a crimped system to make your connection. If not you will have to replace all the pipe with Pex A and continue to use the Rehau fittings. I am a big Rehau fan as I like the way the system compresses the sleeve and pipe onto the fitting. I have had no problems with it myself except for the price of the brass fittings and since I made this video they have come up with the Everloc plus system which is much cheaper in price.
Sorry I can't help you out any more than that. Generally a store does not carry both types of pex for this reason alone. They don't want to have any issues. I would definitely go back and pay them a visit.
Thanks for commenting and let me know how you get along! Al
Will a standard hose clamp work here? The kind you tighten by turning a bolt with a screw driver or socket wrench. The are used on barbed tube connectors all the time. This new clampling looks like a step backwards,
Hello Ed,
I don't believe it would work in this application. The pipe is a little stiffer than poly. Some of the fittings don't have the same sharp edges that barbed fittings have as well.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Thanks for the reply. What you say makes sense. It's interesting though that the only difference between the 2 methods seems to be the amount of pressure applied.
I have a 13 yr old sailboat and not use to working with pex pipe. I got a piece of it and can see that it is much stiffer than the reinforced PVC used in the boat.
Hello Ed,
One thing to keep in mind is that pex cannot be exposed to sunlight as it will break down over time. That is the only down fall of it.
Anywhere that it is exposed to sunlight or florescent lights I cover it with insulation. Does the job!
It is stiffer and needs the proper clamps unfortunately.
Thanks for commenting and have a great week! Al
I have (and live in full time) a 1996 Comfort 5th wheel. I need to replace the plumbing from the hot water heater to the bathroom.
Hello DJ,
I would suggest a crimp ring system to make the install. The tool is relatively cheap as compared to other systems and fittings are easily found in most hardware stores. Home Depot has the complete set up. Tool, rings, fittings and pipe. It is quite popular as I see it in many homes now.
Hope this helps.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your week! Al
Can you please link me to the tool you used in method number 4 (Expanding the pex and compressing it with the 2 in 1 tool). Loved the video, keep up the good work!
+Mike J
That is the Rehau system.
You can purchase the tool on line although it is a little different as I believe they have stopped making the one in the video. Don't quote me on that. The 2 in 1 tool when I got it was not cheap.
You must be able to purchase these fittings as well. They can be bought on line.
Here is a site on ebay...4 PC REHAU COMBOLOC 243107 PEX PIPE TOOL KIT - VERSALOC COMPRESSION
Big thing to remember is you MUST use Pex A that can be expanded. Pex B and C cannot be expanded.
Hope this helps! Any other questions feel free to ask.
You may be able to purchase from a wholesaler if you know anyone.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy your day! Al
+TheOldkid888 Much appreciated. You were right about it not being in production anymore; keeping an eye out on some used ones on ebay.
I've been binge watching your videos for the past 5 hours. It's been a tremendous learning experience and a great supply of information. I've already soldered some copper pipes with the help of your videos and now I'm gonna start up with some small plumbing projects thanks to your help.
Thanks for all the videos you've put up and keep up the good work!
Mike J
Hey Mike!
You are more than welcome.
I am glad you like them. Hopefully they will help with any future projects.
Thanks for commenting and enjoy the week! Al
hello sir may i have a question？
my shut off valve has connected with copper pex crimp ring ，can i turn the direction of this when i install my faucet？ thanks
Hello 红墙内的裸体大汉,
Since it is connected with Pex crimp rings you would have to cut the pex and install a coupling below the valve. I am presuming you are talking about the valve under the sink in the cabinet. In order to do this you would have to turn off the main water.
Thanks for commenting and get back to me if you have any other questions or I didn't give you a clear enough answer. Al
Enjoy your day!
I live in a mobile home, and the pex pipes are what we have. if I want to hook up my dish washer, is there a fitting to connect making it bigger for the other fitting?
Hello Amber;
What size pex do you have running in the trailer now?
get back to me when you get a chance. There are bull head tees that are used to split a big line into 2 smaller ones and this fitting could be used to do what you are asking for.
Thanks for commenting and have a great day! Al
What do you think about the push fittings made by Sharkbite and others?
+P Skippy
I have made several videos on Sharkbite. At first I was a little skeptical about using them, but after doing several tests and using them on a few projects I have become a fan. They are ideal in places where water is an issue. Many times you find shut offs that don't hold completely and allow a small amount of water to seep through. Sharkbite fittings are ideal for this application.
They are becoming very popular!
Thanks for commenting and have a great weekend! Al