Re: [SilverStreak] Pex plumbing

["Bev Harris" <zia@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Eddie,

As always, very thoughtful and thanks for the advice.  I'm going to the attack 
it again this morning and will keep your words in mind.   main problem I'm 
having is that ALL the spaces are really tight (under the sink, next to the sink 
and to the right of the toilet, etc.  I'm trying to avoid ripping out all the copper.

Bev

-----Original Message-----

> Bev,
> I'm familiar with pipes and joints placed under and where not accessible. I 
> suggest re-design your upgrade for plumbing with no joints put where they 
> cannot be serviced. Also consider chaffing and fasteners that may warrant a 
> placement different to avoid that potential problem. PEX should last 
> indefinitely. Any joint is subject to leak or maintenance so make a separate 
> dedicated PEX run as needed and put the joint tee where you want it and can 
> service it, not where a company trying to save $3 put it. You can stack tees 
> making a manifold, or buy a manifold to make a separate run to each faucet 
> and fixture. Manifolds have individual cut off 1/4 turn knobs. Manifolds 
> basically feed equal flow when simultaneous fixture usage instead of one 
> fixture flow reduced. I made my manifold with tees to save some costs. The 
> manifolds are expensive.
> 
> This is the same procedure for electrical. Put no joint inaccessible. Join 
> connections only in fixtures, service boxes, and areas accessible, never 
> hidden behind a panel, wall, or non removable fixture such as range, fridge, 
> etc. In a home, it is always illegal to conceal a joint. All joints must be 
> made at an accessible junction box or service box such as the boxes for wall 
> switch, outlet, ceiling fixture.
> 
> I am using a clone of PEX for connectors, but have heard everything good 
> about the PEX connectors. My understanding is that new homes are being 
> constructed with what is now preferable PEX for time saving = cost saving 
> installation and better than all alternatives for longevity, especially in 
> affluent areas such as Plano TX.
> 
> I also subscribe to the VAL list. There they have much PEX discussion. They 
> have individuals who have freeze test compared PEX with copper, iron pipe, 
> and PVC. The PEX was superior to all in that test. Copper is next, PVC is 
> next, and iron pipe worst for freeze failure.
> -Eddie- Houston, TX