Possible to replace PVC with pex in spots?

[masraum]

I know that the ideal would be to replace everything, but if there are burst lines, is it possible to replace part of a run of PVC with pex?

Sorry, I don't know much about it, and I'm mostly limited to surfing on my phone. But I'm trying to get a better understanding and mentally prepare for repairs.

[biosurfer1]

You can, but there is no connector (that I know of) to go directly from pvc to pex, so you'd have to use a pvc>copper>pex connector or coupler, or something similar..

I think shark bite makes a connector.

Fine for a one off fix I suppose, but I would t want to do it a bunch, $$$

[dad911]

yes. Sharkbite.

I would replace as much as possible. Pex can freeze and not burst.

[cabmandone]

Sharkbite our you can use female or male cpve to pipe thread adapter and then pipe thread to pex adapters to go from CPVC to PEX I think. To be honest, as fast as Pex is, I think I'd go from the main to wherever the line that is broken runs to. You'll probably spend about the same amount of time as just trying to splice and fix.

[masraum]

Thanks folks

[Jolly Amaranto]

I have been using the Sharkbite couplings at my country place in Milam county. So far so good but I will be heading up Saturday to check it all out after the present episode winds down.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sharkbite connectors are awesome and permanent. Agreed on PEX swelling, I’ve seen it happen on mobile homes and then they develop leaks later. Better to just replace as much as you think may have frozen.

[71T Targa]

I just did some PEX work in my garage, and picked up one of these to do the crimps. AMAZING Tool! And well worth the cost.

[herr_oberst]

If was just going to half-ass it, I'd just cut out the broken pvc and scab some more in. Pex and sharkbites are expensive, and the scut work will just be thrown into the dumpster when you do get around to redoing the plumbing properly. If it freezes like this again, you'll be in the same situation you are now.

My 02.

[stevej37]

I understand your reasons for wanting to switch over to Pex.

Just wanted to say that my house that I've owned for 30 years now...has all pvc...even underground from the well to the house.
Never had one crack or split or leak.
The only time anything bad happened was when I was re-routing some of it for the bathroom and I forgot to cement one of the connections. A great way to get a quick cold shower! (sounds like a gunshot when it gives way)

[p911dad]

The builder left a blind corner on our front porch that has a water line to an outdoor spigot (enclosed no access no heat space. Several years ago we has a series of sub zero nights and the line burst. The plumber used 2 shark bites and PEX to fix the line. Still holding. If I had known about the shark bites I would have done it myself. Good luck!

[chrismorse]

Last week, i sectioned out a piece of leaking soft copper line going to a washing machine in a clients rental. Shark bites and pex.
This week, i replumbed the hot, cold and drain to a laundry room in my kid's mobile.
Shark bites all the way. Not cheap, but quick, no fussing with expanders or crimps.

I used to only do copper, but that got expensive and repairs sometimes dripped, (drained down) for a long time, making it hard to get a good joint - (tried bread and compressed air, but that was fussy).
I replumbed a dairy farm house, using manifolds and home runs. Bought a milwaukie pex expander - so much better than the original expanding tool. If you are doing a big job, this is the way to go. Especially under the house or in tight spaces. I still prefer to use brass pex fittings inside walls, or hard to reach places
Designed and built a small craftsman rental and ran pex,

Now might be a good time to install some extra thick foam pipe insulation. Maybe an expansion tank to absorb some of the freeze pressure - (just speculation - check with a pro first).
chris

ps, Parachute bags make a great mobile storage/organizing system for screws, nails, pipe fittings, ( by type and diameter) copper, brass, pvc, cpvc schedule 80, PEX.

Feel sorry for the Texans

[cabmandone]

I agree with others that if you can you might as well just replace with CPVC if you're planning on doing a full on overhaul in the future. Those sharkbite fittings aren't cheap... but CPVC fittings, glue, cleaner and pipe are. Plus the cutters cost less than the bull ring crimpers.

[masraum]

Thanks for all of the responses.

I'm just not sure what we'll be doing. I hadn't originally planned to do any plumbing (except anywhere the missus wants to make changes). I was thinking that we can check out the plumbing for splits, and if it's minimal and in a spot that seems dangerous (exposed under the house), then replace with pex and insulate. I wouldn't feel the need to replace a couple/few hundred feet of PVC that was underground since we are unlikely to end up having permafrost.

If we didn't have any splits, then we can probably get away with various insulation strategies for now.

Before I do anything, I'll be figuring out what must be done and what might be nice to have done and how difficult and/or costly each will be.

[Jolly Amaranto]

Bury all your pipes underground in the crawl space. Just insulate everywhere where they pop straight up to service a sink or toilet etc. (Big GRIN)