Pex Plumbing
PEX Plumbing
Dear Mr. Home Inspector
We intend to begin construction with a brand-new home this year and my builder told me he installed PEX inside the past 5 houses he constructed and advised we use it. Would you give us some information when it comes to plumbing the new house with PEX?
Donna and Jim
Dear Donna and Jim
PEX; short for cross-linked polyethylene has turned into an affordable product of choice for many building contractors and plumbers. This has been used in the United States since the 1980′s for a lot of purposes such as basic plumbing and even hydronic floor heating systems.
PEX isn’t freeze proof, but is undoubtedly less likely to break especially during unusually cold weather when compared with almost every other type of plumbing. Because of its overall flexibility PEX might be installed in quite a few configurations as well as having a manifold and plumbing a continuing home run for the cold and hot lines to each and every appliance. Using this type of application there aren’t any plumbing connectors present to lead to leaks inside crawl spaces, within walls or beneath concrete foundations.
PEX can certainly be installed with couplings which can be interconnected with unique fittings. You can use it as the main service line from your street but it should be shielded inside of a sleeve where it is going through your foundation structure into the house.
PEX is distributed in most basic plumbing measurements and you can purchase it color coded; red plumbing for any of the hot lines in addition to blue for the cold water lines. There are numerous positive attributes however there are a few items you need to understand involving installation.
You should not put it in direct sunlight also, you should think about thermal expansion which is seen as sagging anywhere between plumbing hangers which require installation of more hangers.
There are not many build-it-yourself home-owners working with PEX considering that it requires some different tools pertaining to installation; however it is growing to be very popular in remodels as well as upgrades of existing homes.
Being a professional home inspector we don’t see many problems concerning this particular product. We’re finding a large amount of home owners are experiencing very good results and would recommend it to anybody building a brand new house.
About the Author
Preston Sandlin is a home inspector and real estate investor in Charlotte NC. He has been performing home inspections and buying real estate in Charlotte NC for over 12 years. He is a member of the North Carolina Home Inspector’s Association, the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association, and the BBB. For more information please visit our websites: http://askthecharlotteinspector.com/ http://www.homeinspectioncarolina.com/
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $0.99 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $1.04 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $1.04 |
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1/2″ BARB PEX COUPLING BRASS NEW PLUMBING FITTING $1.94 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/8″ elbow QBE22 copper Cpvc Pex $2.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/8″ Seal Set QBBFNCR2 copper Cpvc Pex $2.00 |
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Flair It 90 degree elbow RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 3/8″x3/8″ Use w pex $2.45 |
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Flair It Fresh Water Coupling RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 1/2″x1/2″ Use w/pex $2.45 |
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Qest Plumbing System 1/2″ Seal Set QBBNCR3 copper Cpvc Pex $2.50 |
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Flair It Swivel RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 3/8″ pex. x 1/2 FPT Use w pex $2.85 |
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Flair It Fresh Water Swivel RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 1/2″Pex X 1/2″FPT $2.95 |
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PEX PLUMBING PIPE FITTINGS LOT OF 5 1/2″ ELBOWS $3.25 |
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Flair It T TEE Fresh Water Fitting RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing for 1/2″ pex $3.45 |
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Flair It. T. TEE Fitting RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 3/8″x3/8″x3/8″ Use w pex $3.49 |
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Flair It Swivel 90 RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 3/8″ pex. x 1/2 FPT Use w pex $3.60 |
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Flair It Fresh Water Swivel 90 RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 1/2″Pex X 1/2″FPT $3.60 |
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VIEGA 1/2″ PEX X 1/2″ MNPT PRESS MALE NPT ADAPTER BRASS NEW PLUMBING FIT $3.94 |
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VIEGA 1″ PEX X 1″ FNPT PRESS FEMALE NPT ADAPTER # 61560 BRASS NEW PLUMBING FIT $3.94 |
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VIEGA 1″ PEX X 1″ MNPT PRESS MALE NPT ADAPTER BRASS NEW PLUMBING FIT $3.94 |
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3/8″ PEX X 3/4″ FNPT PRESS FEMALE NPT ADAPTER BRASS NEW PLUMBING FITTING LOT 2 $3.94 |
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3/8″ PEX X 3/4″ NPT PRESS MALE ADAPTER BRASS NEW PLUMBING FITTING LOT 2 COUPLING $3.94 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/8″ Tee QBT222 copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/8″ Coupling copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 1/2″x 3/8″ Coupling QBC32 copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 1/2″ Elbow QBE33 copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 1/2″ Female Coupling Adapter QBFA33F copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 1/2″ Male Coupling Adapter QBCA33M copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/4″ Seal Set QBBFNCR copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/4″ Coupling QBC44 copper Cpvc Pex $4.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 1/2″ Tee QBT333 copper Cpvc Pex $5.00 |
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VANGUARD VIEGA POLYMER PEX 90 1/2″ SDR9 NSF PLUMBING $5.00 |
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5 DURA-Pex Poly Barb Crimp Tee 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/2 Plumbing $5.00 |
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Pex crimper, Cinch clamp Crimping tool, plumbing crimp $5.50 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/4″x3/4″x1/2″ TEE QBT443 copper Cpvc Pex $6.00 |
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Qest Plumbing System 3/4″ TEE QAT444 copper Cpvc Pex $6.00 |
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Flair It. T. TEE Fitting RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 1/2″x1/2″x1/2″ Use w pex $6.40 |
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3/4″ RB PEX Pipe Staples 100ct Box Radiant Heat Plumbing Mangone P6BK $6.99 |
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QEST PLUMBING FITTING 5/8″ TO 3/8″ PEX OR CPVC PIPE $7.99 |
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Flair It Fresh Water Shut off Stop Valve RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 1/2″ pex $8.65 |
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Flair It Shut off Stop Valve RV Marine Mobile Home Plumbing 3/8″x3/8″ Use w pex $8.65 |
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3/8″ X 3/4″ X 3/4″ PEX BRASS TEE OPEX LX PLUMBING FITTING NEW LOT OF 3 $8.94 |
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PEX PLUMBING LOT PIPE FITTINGS 1/2″ & 3/4″ ELBOWS TEE CAPS REDUCERS DROP EAR $8.99 |
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ProBite Pex Fitting 1/2″ x 3/8″ Reducer Coupler Coupling Plumbing Tube $8.99 |
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3 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief OPEN $9.45 |
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3/8″ X 1/2″ X 3/4″ PEX BRASS TEE OPEX LX PLUMBING FITTING NEW LOT OF 4 $9.94 |
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1/2″ STADLER VIEGA K PEX COMPRESSION COUPLING / UNION BRASS NEW PLUMBING FITTING $9.94 |
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3-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $9.95 |
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3-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $9.95 |
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3 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief SWEAT $9.95 |
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5 Pex Elbows 3/8 Crimpsert SDR9 Pex x 3/8″ Male NPT Pipe Hose Crimp Plumbing New $9.99 |
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4 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief CLOSED $10.35 |
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4 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief OPEN $10.35 |
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4-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $12.45 |
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4-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $12.45 |
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5 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief OPEN $12.50 |
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6 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief CLOSED $13.50 |
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6 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief OPEN $13.50 |
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6-port, 1/2 PEX Plumbing Copper Manifold by Sioux Chief $13.50 |
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6-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $13.95 |
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6-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $13.95 |
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PEX PLUMBING FITTINGS 1/2″ PEX TO 3/8″ PEX REDUCER LOT 50 $14.00 |
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Zurn Pex Plumbing Crimper Crimping Tool 3/8 inch QCRT2T EXC Condition $14.99 |
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Zurn QuickFlex PEX Plumbing and Radiant Heating Systems Copper Hose $14.99 |
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75 PIECE PEX PLUMBING PIPE FITTINGS 3/8″ PEX TO 3/8″ SWEAT XLC22M & COUPLINGs $15.50 |
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Motorhome and RV Plumbing Water Line Stop Valve Pex 1/2 x 1/2 Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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Motorhome and RV Plumbing Water Line Stop Valve Pex 3/8 x 3/8 Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing Pex Clamp Ring, 3/4 -Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing PEX Coupler, 1/2 x3/8 Barb Insert Coupling, 3/ $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing Pex Clamp Ring, 3/8 -Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing PEX Coupler, 1/2 x3/8 Barb -Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing Pex Elbow, 3/8 x 3/8 Barb -Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing Pex Line Plug, 3/8 -Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing Pex Line Plug, 1/2 -Replacement Parts $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing PEX to Polybutylene Coupler, 3/8 PEX x 3/8 PB $17.99 |
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RV Motorhome Fresh Water Plumbing PEX/Flare Swivel Connector, 1/2 Flare x PEX $17.99 |
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PEX PLUMBING FITTINGS 1/2″ PEX TO 3/4″ PEX ELBOW LOT OF 25 $18.00 |
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8 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief CLOSED $18.95 |
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8 port 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold Sioux Chief OPEN $18.95 |
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8-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $19.95 |
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8-port, 1/2″ PEX Plumbing Manifold by Sioux Chief $19.95 |
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QTY (10) 1″ PEX MPT INSERT ADAPTER, BRASS PEX FITTING, PLUMBING & HYDRONIC HEAT $19.99 |
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PEX PLUMBING FITTINGS 3/8″ PEX TO 3/8″ MALE SWEAT/ 1/4″ FEMALE SWEAT LOT OF 100 $20.00 |
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PEX PLUMBING FITTINGS 1/2″ PEX TO 3/4″ FEMALE SWEAT LOT 20 $20.00 |
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Zurn Pex QQP3XnPK1 1/2 Barb Plug fitting plumbing plumber valve coupler new x40 $20.00 |
