What is PEX Plumbing and What Should You Know About It?
Cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX, is a type of piping that has revolutionized the plumbing industry. Although it has been in use in Europe since the 1970s, it’s only become widely seen in the United States over the past 20 years.
While the gold standard for plumbing pipes has generally been considered copper, PVC (polyvinyl chloride) replaced it in the 1960s as a lower-cost and more easy-to-install alternative.
Fast forward to PEX, which cost-wise, is the same as PVC, but holds multiple advantages, the biggest being its flexibility without the loss of flow pressure. PEX can be twisted up to 90 degrees, allowing it to be maneuvered around objects and fished through walls without the use of connecters, couplings, elbow joints, and soldering or adhesives that would be needed when using copper or PVC (PEX elbows are available for turns over 90 degrees). With fewer connections, the possibility of leakage is greatly reduced. The subsequent ease-of-use and faster installation make it the preferred material for both professional plumbers and do-it-yourselfers.
The flexibility of PEX also allows it to contract and expand under extreme temperatures, making it less likely to burst as water inside the piping freezes and melts. And like PVC, it will not corrode by chlorine or other acidic agents that may be in the water. Along with its flexibility, PEX’s low corrosion rate contributes to its long life span of 50 years.
If you have an older home or one utilizing copper, brass, or PVC piping, PEX can be easily integrated. Although not required, it is recommended that a copper manifold be used in conjunction with the PEX piping. Think of the manifold as a hub for your building’s plumbing system, which provides clear access to the distribution of water supply if shut-off to individual utilities is needed. PEX piping is available colored red for hot water distribution and blue for cold, which makes identification easy. If choosing not to use a manifold, it is possible to connect main lines and branches from each tube in a traditional trunk-and-branch system.
The use of PEX piping offers some drawbacks. The piping should not be exposed to extended periods of sunlight, as it can degrade rapidly. Uninstalled piping should not be left in the sun, and installed lines should not pass near sunny windows or have access to outdoor areas. Certain chemicals can degrade PEX, so no sprays are used around it (such as by an exterminator). When applying insulation to PEX piping, the type of adhesive must be considered so as not to negatively interact with the chemical make-up of the PEX.
Additional concerns occurred early in the usage of PEX when certain brass and zinc fittings interacted with mineral-rich water in some areas, but that was resolved with the development of revised fitting composition.
Concern was raised in the early 2000s about chemical release and smell due to pipe leach and certain water interaction, but an Environmental Impact Report and subsequent studies by the EPA have since determined there is no public health risk.
Although PEX offers many benefits, it’s best to consult a licensed plumber or perform proper research before performing your own installation or repairs to determine if there are special considerations due to your area’s water supply, climate, and other individual circumstances.
By Colleen Woods-Esposito
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