MF294-4

Member
Going to do a little plumbing project this spring and I thought I might try pex. What are your opinions on the pex that Menards has. What are the advantages or disadvantages of crimp rings compared to cinch rings. They have both but I can't get much info from them. Years ago we used black plastic, then I switched to PVC and CPVC which I have loved for years. Been easy and trouble free. I would hope pex is as good. All I have in my mind is all the problems they had in Florida a few years ago.
 
(quoted from post at 07:32:50 03/28/15) Going to do a little plumbing project this spring and I thought I might try pex. What are your opinions on the pex that Menards has. What are the advantages or disadvantages of crimp rings compared to cinch rings. They have both but I can't get much info from them. Years ago we used black plastic, then I switched to PVC and CPVC which I have loved for years. Been easy and trouble free. I would hope pex is as good. All I have in my mind is all the problems they had in Florida a few years ago.

I have RE-plumbed a hole house that had quest I never had a issue with quest pipe my issues were with the plastic fittings... I noticed when in lowe's they now offer plastic fittings for pex I would use the brass fittings... You can also buy a tool to cut off a pex crimp ring if you do much it will come in handy... I have no issues with pex...
 
I saw somewhere that you can get a took that expands the PEX pipe and after you expand it you insert the fitting, then the PEX collapses back to original size, nothing more needed.
 
The tool to expand pex only works with one specific brand of pipe and fittings, Wirsbro I think. It is highly rated, but tools are expensive and not as widely available as other brands, at least around here.

I use the crimp rings.
 
My son and I have used Pex for 7 years. Never a problem and he does remodeling for a living.
A problem I have never seen mentioned is that the fittings for Pex restrict the flow one pipe size, You need 3/4 Pex to replace 1/2 copper.
 
As a former contractor, I used Wirsbro PEX and fittings for many years, for radiant heating systems and potable water. Never had a problem with a fitting sealing or leaking. It was also easy to repair if someone mad a bobo and line needed splicing. My hand operated expansion tool has dies to expand Pex from3/8" to 1". I found this system much easier to use than the collar crimp system because you can pull the PEX to where you can get the expander in it and then slip it back up on a fitting in a tight spot where you may not be able to get the crimping tool.
Loren, the Acg
 
I love PEX but will only use the brass fittings with the crimp collars. It is kind of time consuming as I have always used the tool that uses your vice grips to clamp together. I've never had a leak.
 
(quoted from post at 06:48:10 03/28/15) My son and I have used Pex for 7 years. Never a problem and he does remodeling for a living.
A problem I have never seen mentioned is that the fittings for Pex restrict the flow one pipe size, You need 3/4 Pex to replace 1/2 copper.

That restriction is only for runs of six inches or less. Flow restriction is due to friction loss which is a function of distance, unless the water is frozen, in which case the fittings are a significant restriction to flow.
 
We plumed this house with PEX using the crimp fittings. I have a manifold in the basement with pipe runs to all the fixtures. I can shut off the water to individual fixtures as needed. We have had only one problem in the year and a half since the house was built and that was a loose threaded fitting.

I have used PEX with Sharkbite fittings for water lines in the sewing room and in the shop and they have been trouble free for over five years. The lines in the shop freeze occasionally. I also used PEX with Sharkbite fittings for all the shop airlines.
 
pex fittings are too expensive. Try to take one apart after a few years and you will likely damage them. I tried pex once, never again. CPVC for hot and cold. Outside from well or to shop, cold only, pvc will work. I would only go to a plumbing supply to get the black coil stuff. Don't think menards carries the good stuff.
 
Replaced all the plumbing in my house in 2006 with all Menards pex. I used the crimp rings. I also installed manifolds like awlknottedup described. I have had no leaks, and would not hesitate to do it again. Only thing I would do different:They make different colors now. I would have done the red-blue for hot-cold.

Mike
 
I ran 250' of Menards 3/4" pex for a 160 PSI airline a couple of years ago using double crimped ends and so far there aren't any leaks at the crimps. The barbs are just barely long enough to get two crimp rings on side by side. Close to every inch of this line is covered and protected just in case.
 
I'm a big fan of PEX.

I don't like or use the crimp style. The crimping tool needs to be properly adjusted for tension and the operator needs to apply the correct tension. Not enough tension it leaks. Too much tension it'll break the plastic fitting or thin out the plastic against the brass fitting and leak. Having said all that it's rare to have a problem. But after having crews flood some houses I won't use it.

Wirsbo Aqua PEX or Uphonor brand PEX can be expanded. It's idiot proof. Perfect for our TX labor force. If you don't expand it enough you can't get it over the barb of the fitting. If you need to take it apart hit it with a heat gun and pull it off.

Try your local plumbing supply and bypass the big box stores. Back in the day the cost of the expansion and crimping tools where about the same.
 
(quoted from post at 23:39:11 03/30/15) I ran 250' of Menards 3/4" pex for a 160 PSI airline a couple of years ago using double crimped ends and so far there aren't any leaks at the crimps. The barbs are just barely long enough to get two crimp rings on side by side. Close to every inch of this line is covered and protected just in case.

I may experiment with pex as a air line I run 180 PSI... I will look into the expanding deal its just another tool and I like tools...
 
(quoted from post at 19:34:16 04/03/15) I'm a big fan of PEX.



Wirsbo Aqua PEX or Uphonor brand PEX can be expanded. It's idiot proof. Perfect for our TX labor force. If you don't expand it enough you can't get it over the barb of the fitting. If you need to take it apart hit it with a heat gun and pull it off.

Could you use a heat gun to put it on? Or does the heat damage the PEX ?
 
I have been using pex for years on RVs and my house in the country , no problems. I only use brass fittings and stainless crimps and crimp all the way till the tool releases. The copper ring crimps that they used to use are ok but the tool is so big its hard to use in tight spots. Tim
 

I have the tool to crimp the bands and have picked up the bands while at the store but always put them back... I may try them in a place were its open and EZ to get back at sometime...
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top