I'm just edging into the world of PEX water pipe.
I'm accustomed to the daisy-chain copper pipe installations, where the main feed might be 3/4", local runs 1/2" and sink connections 3/8".
The PEX installations I see all have a "manifold", then individual pipe runs to each faucet.
Is there a reeason for this ? Can't be more efficient. Or is it just "chancy" to daisy-chain PEX ??
I have a Vanguard MANIBLOC manifold. *
It's 12 years old and no problems, so far. Having seen some recent new installs, it sure saves time and material. Centrally located in a home
- usually in a laundry room.
PEX can be run either way -- either the manifold/home-run system or the daisy-chain system. I think one reason for the manifold/home-run approach is that it maintains water better pressre to an individual fixture than a daisy-chain setup does when another fixture is in use at the same time.
I've been researching PEX for a while now and will be using it soon for the first time in a remodel that I have going on in a property I own.
Here are a few video links that I thought were helpful:
Plumbpedia 4 PEX Water Pipe Part 1 (time 6:50):
Plumbpedia 4 PEX Water Pipe Part 1 (time 6:50):
PEXsupply.com - 6 types of PEX connections (time 8:35):
wrote:
Oops, the second link should have said "Part 2" (not "Part 1").
Plumbpedia 4 PEX Water Pipe Part 1 (time 6:50):
BetaB4 wrote:
Its my understanding that plastic pipe in general got a bad rep after the polybutalene fiasco. Even polybutalene isnt that bad if installed properly. I have it in a 20 year old house and confess I have had two leaks. Both were the result of poor instalation practice. I replaced the poly with PEX. After examining the 20 year old pipe and fittings I found no deteriation of the pipe or fittings. I would of course like to beat the crap out of the idiot who installed it.
Jimmmie
It's simple - They sell more PEX this way...
JK
Our custom built 1998 home in Az had Wirsbo PEX daisychained throughout, from 1" to 3/4" to half inch.
The only 3/8" were the risers to the faucets. It's done fine for over 10 years.
Our current (2003) place has the manifold system, one for cold, one for hot. I don't notice any difference.
RJ-
You got a lot of great info in the other posts...except Big Jake's comment.
I've done two installs.....both manifold / "home run" style
I prefer this style....way fewer joints; two per run. One at the manifold, one at the angle stop.
I suppose the ease of installation is a function of the connection style chosen. I went with the expander type, I have a hand expander.
A hand expander, though very easy to use on 1/2" tube, and especially ease to use when in a comfortable position, it is a bit harder to use in a crawlspace or attic. The battery expander is rather pricey but it's VERY easy to use anywhere when equipped with the auto-rotation head adapter.
The manifold style installation: maximizes the use of single tubing size uses more tubing but fewer fittings. has connections in more convenient / easy to execute locations allows water to be shutoff on a per fixture (hot or cold) basis maintains point of use water pressure better
depending on the house / plumbing layout a medium sized house with 2 stacked baths, kitchen & laundry requires about 150 ft of hot, 200 ft of cold. a medium ranch about the same
if you do the main & branch routine..you;ve got to use varying tube size and connections / fittings all over the place.
Even if you use 1/2 the tubing by going to a main & branch system you'll save ~200 ft of tube but use larger & larger fittings...the tubing saved is going to be about $60.
IMO that worth the extra time & hassle to do main & branch....manifold is quick & easy; fewer opportunities for mistakes
cheers Bob
Copper is a great material and in most instances very good for potable water systems.
But for a re-pipe of a classic old home PEX is a better choice, allows the re-pipe to be done with less damage to the house.
Some water conditions favor PEX over copper.
In some areas copper potable water systems contribute to water pollution; build up of copper in the environment.
The savings of PEX vs copper is not the material, it's the labor savings .....way fewer connections & connections that can be made faster than cutting & cleaning the copper tube.
It's not hose......and your experience with PEX is?
cheers Bob
on 6/9/2009 3:17 PM (ET) wrote the following:
The home run system allows hot water to get to the fixture directly, rather than having it go though other fixtures before it gets to the final destination. Saves time (you don't have to wait as long for the hot water to get to the fixture), Saves hot water (other parts of the piping system don't have to fill with hot water before you get it at the fixture), Saves gas or electric water heating (less hot water taken from the heater), Saves electricity on a well pump system ( less water being pumped from the system).
And here I thought Frontier Gibberish was a dead language! Well done!
RI used to have a video clip of Johny Carson, and the Caper of the Copper Clappers. Anyone else seen that?
Yes, I have it...Johnny Carson: the "new" guys are a sad substitute
LM-
I doubt if the plastic that burst on your neighbor was PEX, most likely polybutylene, big difference from PEX. Ive seen copper rot out in 25 years due to the water chemistry. I like Cu where I think a rigid pipe is called for or where its going to be seen, appearances counts for something. I suspect the connections in a PEX system will fail long before the pipe does.
Jimmie
I opted for Wiersbo (sp?) PEX at a remote cabin in WA state. The winter temps are very cold are we are absent for extended periods of time. I had the advantages of a one level cabin with free access to an unfinished "basement" beneath. Made the install and routing simple. The basement can, however, freeze up even when the cabin is occupied, which made the PEX decision easy.
I used the daisy chain method, 3/4" to 1/2" to local faucet connections. I also used the crimp-style connecting collars, which require a proprietary tool. I found it to be a reasonable investment ($125 if I recall). I have loaned it to several friends doing their own installations, and garnered a few favors in return - a win/win situation!
For a homeowner job, it was pretty good. I had to replace two connections due to user error until I got the tricks down. All other connections were solid, and after many freeze/thaw cycles (drained lines) no issues have arisen.
To address the OP's question directly. I suspect that a more complex installation might merit a manifold approach, while installation as described would suffice for simpler jobs.
Isn't Pex a "cross linked polyethylene"?
Yes PE = PolyEthylene. X = crosslinked.
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