Posts: 74
Threads: 18
Joined: Jan 2016
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.
Posts: 427
Threads: 20
Joined: Nov 2011
Yes it works great. Pros: fast and quick and no fire needed to make connections Cons: fittings are kind of $$ per piece
Posts: 14,111
Threads: 424
Joined: Aug 2012
The connectors are expensive, but you don't need very many, because PEX can bend around corners.
I don't miss the glue.
Posts: 4,248
Threads: 96
Joined: Mar 2014
A couple of the big plumbing companies stopped using it because of the rat chewing issues.
Posts: 3,202
Threads: 108
Joined: Jun 2010
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.
Posts: 74
Threads: 18
Joined: Jan 2016
(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.
Posts: 4,903
Threads: 83
Joined: Feb 2009
As long as the pipe is inside a finished wall it will be fine.
There should be no way for rats to get in.
Posts: 998
Threads: 30
Joined: Feb 2012
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
Posts: 227
Threads: 52
Joined: Apr 2019
(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
