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08-17-2022, 05:19 PM
(This post was last modified: 08-17-2022, 05:20 PM by Thronester.)
Aloha, has anyone had success with using PEX? Some of the plumbers I have spoke with say that rats like to chew it. I was hoping to save on labor costs and potential leaks by using the pre sleeved kind under my concrete slab and stubbing up into the wall. I see this method a lot on commercial job sites. The plastic tube that the pex is ran in creates a buffer between the pex and the concrete which would be beneficial in earthquakes and I have even seen damaged lines get re pulled after the slab is poured.
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Yes it works great. Pros: fast and quick and no fire needed to make connections Cons: fittings are kind of $$ per piece
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The connectors are expensive, but you don't need very many, because PEX can bend around corners.
I don't miss the glue.
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A couple of the big plumbing companies stopped using it because of the rat chewing issues.
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Best to do home runs to high-flow fixtures, as the fittings go inside the PEX and severely reduce the diameter. Particularly with the kind of PEX sold at HD. Too many fittings in a row reduce the flow.
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(08-18-2022, 04:37 PM)randomq Wrote: Best to do home runs to high-flow fixtures, as the fittings go inside the PEX and severely reduce the diameter. Particularly with the kind of PEX sold at HD. Too many fittings in a row reduce the flow.
yes I was thinking of having a manifold near the water heater and have dedicated runs to each location. I want to use the pre sleeved kind under the slab to avoid any rat chewing. It’s a small 1 bed 1 bath house with all the fixtures on the same outside wall so it should be pretty simple.
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As long as the pipe is inside a finished wall it will be fine.
There should be no way for rats to get in.
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I've used PEX quite a bit and love it, however I haven't installed any in Hawaii since you need a licensed plumber apply for the permit and get an inspection. I think Obie has a good point - shouldn't be a problem in a properly finished wall.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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(08-18-2022, 06:30 PM)Thronester Wrote: (08-18-2022, 04:37 PM)randomq Wrote: Best to do home runs to high-flow fixtures, as the fittings go inside the PEX and severely reduce the diameter. Particularly with the kind of PEX sold at HD. Too many fittings in a row reduce the flow.
yes I was thinking of having a manifold near the water heater and have dedicated runs to each location. I want to use the pre sleeved kind under the slab to avoid any rat chewing. It’s a small 1 bed 1 bath house with all the fixtures on the same outside wall so it should be pretty simple.
It sounds like you want to build the same kind of house that I have been thinking about for awhile.
Please keep us informed on your progress!
thanks,
Ccat
