New plumbing issue - I'm worried

[Arizona_928]

^^ Helped a buddy run new lines in his house using the stuff. I found it easier then copper/solder.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Didn't know plastic was even approved for domestic water... what type of plastic pipe do you use for interior plumbing?

Did it about 8-10 years ago. What was available was "Push N Turn" It's PVC line. The PEX stuff is supposedly better, but the tool to crimp the PEX lines is between $40-$60. The Push N Turn only needs two wrenches to attach to any 1/2 water line.

[unclebilly]

There is an abundance of misinformation in this thread...

[Cajundaddy]

Pex solves most corrosive water leak issues but comes with its own set of problems. Rodents think it tastes like cheese.

[dad911]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Didn't know plastic was even approved for domestic water... what type of plastic pipe do you use for interior plumbing?

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

Pex

CPVC can also be used for water supply.

[chocolatelab]

Originally Posted by chocolatelab

Super common issue on newer homes here in socal. During the housing boom the copper quality went way down. Most folks around here replace with the plastic tubing after their 3rd or 4th leak.

Geez guys

Take it easy PEX

[wdfifteen]

I've just about settled on PEX. Big question. Crimp the connections or use Sharkbite? Sharkbite seems a little sketchy to me, but I dunno.

[cashflyer]

Sharkbite and similar connectors rely on an o-ring inside the fitting.
O-rings eventually fail.

I am on a well and had to replace all of my copper last autumn. It was original to the house, so was about 32 years old. There were a lot of splices where the PO chased leak after leak. I don't like that methodology, so I removed it all and went with PEX.

I used crimp connectors in almost every location, but there were a couple of spots where I ended up with Sharkbite. You just have to recognize that at some point you will have to replace them.

[billybek]

It could be a velocity problem. You may be eroding the pipe due to the velocity of the water running through it or turbulent flow.

[GH85Carrera]

Our house is new enough to have been build with PEX. It is a slab house and most of the plumbing is in the slab and just comes up out of the concrete floor in the wall to the location. There is a main water shutoff in the front closet that is real handy when replacing leaky valves. The way our house is laid out every water pipe is on a inside wall. Even in the coldest of weather we don't have to open any cabinet doors or do anything at all to prevent a frozen pipe.

I was leery about PEX when we moved in but I really think it is a good choice. It will outlast us.

[porsche4life]

Pex is awesome to work with definitely invest in a pair of crimpers, the sharkbites cost a few bucks per connection, so you'll be in for way more money trying to do the whole project with them.