PEX tubing...

[cosmiccowboy]

Any new wave plumbers in here? I've got a question about the tubing...I know that every brand is a little different in how their fittings/crimps/tools work, but is the tubing generic or do you have to use the same brand tubing that you use on the fittings?

[zztex]

I would like any info on this too as I am going to run new water pipe in the house since it is all open after Ike.

[arrowslinger]

I have not messed with it much but from what i have delt with the fitting and pipe has to be the same brand. Let me call some of our guys that mess with that house plumbing stuff and ill get back with ya.

[cosmiccowboy]

Thanks!

[arrowslinger]

i just talked to the guy in purchasing department and he said that it does need to be the same brand for the fittting and pipe, that every manufacturer is different with therer crimping tools and such. hope this helps good luck...I hate doing plumbing

[doublearrow]

I have installed pex myself and had it installed in 2 more houses. The brand fittings are all different. I have dealt with two different types and will see if I can find out what brands because we have had a huge amount of leaks out of both types. After the first few leaks I was told it was because of the brands used. This was 3 or 4 years ago so I don't know if I can find out but I will try.

[cj7zrcool]

I was under the impressions that PEX is what replaced polybutylene (Quest) tubing. I installed a little bit of it in my travel trailer at the deer lease last weekend and just used the Quest compression fittings. Same OD, so it all worked OK together.

[DrenalinJunkie]

check out Shark Bite(i think is the name) fittings. If I am not mistaken they work on ANY pipe.

[cosmiccowboy]

I have installed pex myself and had it installed in 2 more houses. The brand fittings are all different. I have dealt with two different types and will see if I can find out what brands because we have had a huge amount of leaks out of both types. After the first few leaks I was told it was because of the brands used. This was 3 or 4 years ago so I don't know if I can find out but I will try.

Wow...You are the first to tell me they had leak problems with PEX..I generally hear rave reviews for the crimp type fittings (that you have to buy the special tool for) being pretty much leak proof if installed properly.

[Boss Hogg]

check out Shark Bite(i think is the name) fittings. If I am not mistaken they work on ANY pipe.

Bought one of these to connect a dishwasher under my sink. Worked like a champ. Sure beat having to buy the crimp tool for $100.00!!!!!!!

[tinman]

check out Shark Bite(i think is the name) fittings. If I am not mistaken they work on ANY pipe.

I just double checked with one of my installers, he has used Sharkbites with PEX, it works. We use them on copper pipe everyday now without any problems.

[doublearrow]

Wow...You are the first to tell me they had leak problems with PEX..I generally hear rave reviews for the crimp type fittings (that you have to buy the special tool for) being pretty much leak proof if installed properly.

I took it as a fluke on my job thinking I didn't know what I was doing. It wasn't that big of a deal because we were doing a greenhouse for us. The other two were done by professional plumbers. The plumber we have now refuses to use to use pex because he fixes so many leaks from the fittings in town and out here. His words were the pipe is good but the fittings suck. It maybe that we are so small that the few plumbers we have in this area are using the same fittings, when there are better ones out there.

[zztex]

I will be running new water pipe in the next couple of weeks, any more thoughts on this, it really looks pretty simple to install.

[muzzlebrake]

I work for a consulting engineer.
We allow PEX in many of our projects, especially high density residential(apartments).
All PEX is not created equal but there are some good products and methods that are well tested. One than we like is Viega and their systems carry a 10 year warranty.

http://www.viega.net/4693.htm

Hope this helps

[DaveS903]

Just checked with my plumbing guru (the wife - she manages a bulding materials center). Others might work but generally speaking, it is best to use the both from the same maker. Pex fittings go with Pex tubing.