Regarding PEX and PEX manifold manufacturers, it’s important to understand these pipes before buying and installing them in a residential or commercial building. It’s essential to know everything about them. From the specifications, the benefits and drawbacks, and the buying guide. Even if PEX is recommended, if you buy the wrong PEX pipe, you aren’t getting the required results.
Understanding PEX pipes
There is a variety of different PEX pipes you can purchase. Knowing what PEX is and what you can use these pipes for. PEX stands for cross-linked Polyethylene. Polyethylene is easier to install than other installation pipes like copper, but it is more durable.
PEX is a plastic pipe that is more flexible than copper pipes. One of the benefits of using PEX is that it is resistant to extreme heat and cold weather. The pipes were discovered in 1968 and became popular in Europe around the 1980s. It takes longer for PEX to be used in the US because of US standards. Now, it is being used all over the world.
One of the most important features of PEX is that it is flexible. However, it is hard to bend, making it difficult to handle. If you look at other drain pipe manufacturers like copper, it is known that PEX is the preferred installation pipe.
Benefits and drawbacks of PEX pipe
There are many benefits to using PEX pipes. Benefits include: Less connections between pipes will result in less leakage. Standard copper pipes need connections in between because they aren’t flexible. PEX is flexible and can bend in any direction.
- Plastic has less corrosion than copper and steel. After years of co-pipe installations, rust is found in drinking water. With PEX, there is no metal in the pipes, meaning no rust.
- Easy to install. Even if the pipes are hard and difficult to bend, they are still easier and faster to install than pipes from stainless steel pipe manufacturers in the USA.
- Less expensive. The P X is cheaper than copper or steel pipes, and you won’t need as many connections as with copper. The pipes are also cheaper than copper or steel pipes of the same length.
- PEX pipes are color-coded. We are making it easier to install the correct type of pipe for every plumbing requirement.
These are some drawbacks and disadvantages of buying and installing PEX (cross-linkedPolyethylenee)Polyethylenee. Your residential or commercial plumbing will require a complete plumbing make-over. The fittings from copper fitting suppliers will not fit onto PEX. You will need to replace everything.
- You can’t use your normal saw or blade to cut the pipes. You will need to use particular tools for cutting. This is due to the durability and thickness of the PEX.
- PEX isn’t ideal or suitable for outdoor use. PEX that are installed outdoors will harden and crack within months. The reason is that ultraviolet rays don’t protect it.
- Working with PEX in coiled form is harder to handle; it tends to revert to a round form. However, you can choose it at an easily manageable length.
Different varieties available
There are different varieties of PEX pipes available. You must know everything about the available varieties to buy and install suitable pipes from PEX manifold manufacturers.
Types of PEX
There are three types of PEX pipes,
- Type A PEX
- Type B PEX
- Type C PEX
Type A PEX
This type of PEX is the most flexible piping. Making this the most suitable for household water needs. The pipe also expands the most, making it resistant to extreme heat and cold. The drawback of T pe A is that it is the most expensive pipe in this range.
Type B PEX
It is still flexible but not as flexible as type A. It has more robust coil memory, making installing it a bit harder. It is just as resistant to cold and hot temperatures as type A. Type B is more resistant to chlorine in water and is cheaper than type A.
Type C
Type C is the cheapest PEX option out there. However, there are some drawbacks to consider. It is the stiffest among the three PEX types. They are making me more prone to cracking and kinking. It is ideal for sorting repairs that don’t need to be bent in any direction. This is the least famous pipe of all the other PEX types.
Sizes available
PEX Tubing size
(CTS/Nominal) |
Outside Diameter
(OD) |
Minimum wall thickness |
3/8″ | 0.500″ | 0.070″ |
1/2″ | 0.625″ | 0.070″ |
5/8″ | 0.750″ | 0.083″ |
3/4″ | 0.875″ | 0.097″ |
1″ | 1.125″ | 0.125″ |
Besides the three types of PEX pipes, different sizes are available. There are other uses for the pipes, so different sizes are available. You can find each pipe in four different sizes.
- 1Inch PEX
- ¾ inch PEX
- ½ inch
- 3/8 inch
Sanitary application | Minimum flow rate (liters per second) | Minimum recommended pipe size |
Kitchen sink | 0.2 | 15mm |
Bathroom basin | 0.2 | 15mm |
Bathtub | 0.33 | 22mm |
Shower | 0.2 | 15/22mm |
Mixer tap | 0.42 | 15/22mm |
Toilet | 0.12 | 15mm |
Washing machine | 0.2 | 15mm |
Dishwasher | 0.1 | 15mm |
Understanding the PEX colors
Besides the sizes of PEX pipes, you need to know the functions of the different colors of PEX. Each color has a specific meaning and use. You can ask PEX manifold manufacturers for more information if needed.
- Red PEX is designed for hot water. It can withstand even the hottest water. However, you can use red for cold water, which will not last as long.
- Blue PEX is for cold water. If you use blue for hot water, you will damage the pipes and might need to reinstall everything.
- White PEX can be used for both hot and cold water. However, many people don’t prefer buying the white because, in case of a leakage, you will not know if the hot or cold-water pipes need to be repaired.
- Gray PEX pipes can be used on hot and cold water as well. The only problem is that few DIY centers have the gray in stock. If you want gray and they don’t have it in stock, you can use white without any problems.
Connections needed for PEX pipes
With a PEX pipe installation, it’s necessary to know that normal connectors from copper fitting suppliers will not work. The right fitting and tools are needed to install PEX successfully.
Copper crimping
Copper crimping is one of the most common and easiest ways to connect PEX pipes. This is where a copper crimping ring is placed on the connection. To do this, you will need the copper crimping tool. If used correctly, this method will be the most durable.
Expansion connections
Another method is to make use of the expansion connections. This involves making use of a specially designed expander tool. It stretches the diameter of the PEX before inserting the end of a fitting. This provides a tight connection that will not leak.
Stainless steel clamps
This method uses stainless steel rings added over the PEX with a ratchet clamping tool. This is similar to the normal copper crimping method. This might not be as watertight as the other two methods.
Compression fittings
The compression fitting involved a threaded brass nut over the end of the PEX tube. A tapered plastic compression ring is added as well. As the nut is tig tuned, the plastic ring compresses against the end of the pipe. It is creating a seal.
Push-fit connections
This method is the most popular method for connecting pipes. This is also the cheapest connection method. You will need a specially designed push-fit fitting to hold the PEX. No other tools are required.
PEX versus copper pipes
Should you use PEX or copper pipes? It is important to understand the differences to make the right decision on PEX or copper pipes.
Environmental impact
The environmental impact between PEX and copper is huge. There are a lot of differences between the two pipes.
- Sourcing material for copper is a long and expensive procedure. It needs to be mi ed, and the process involves removing a lot of natural resources from the earth. On the other hand, polyethyleneylene is extracted and is a byproduct of oil and natural gas. PEX is cheaper and safer to make.
- Installed copper pipes waste about 15% of energy to meet the right temperature. This is because copper is a conductor, and the water going through these pipes loses heat faster than PEX. They are making P X take less energy than copper.
- When you consider recyclability, we must agree that copper is best here. It is known that copper can be recycled. PEX can’t be melted again, so it can’t be recycled like copper.
Economic impact of PEX versus Copper
There is a huge economic difference between PEX and Copper.
- PEX is cheaper to manufacture by PEX manifold manufacturers. Because it is already sourced from Ady, it doesn’t require any capital, like copper. You are making it cheaper to purchase PEX than copper. When looking at the labor costs, you will find that more time is needed to make copper pipes than PEX pipes, which means PEX is more economical.
- PEX is more durable than copper. Copper can rust and burst a lot easier. Copper pipes can last an average of six months. PEX has more than 50 years of lifespan because of the material used. Copper pipes need regular maintenance, while PEX doesn’t.
Social impact Between PEX and copper pipes
Social impact is all about the sustainability between PEX and copper.
- With PEX, you only need fittings, while copper needs soldering. This can cause a fire hazard during installation.
- No copper will get into drinking water—copper in water can cause long-term illnesses like heart disease and Alzheimer’s. PEX has no copper, so there can’t be any traces of copper in your water.
- PEX is more resistant to leaching, pitting, and mineral buildup than copper pipes.
- Copper has a high theft rating because of its value of copper. PEX isn’t as valuable and is not a theft threat.
It’s critical to talk with a pipes proficient or reference plumbing codes and principles to decide the suitable size and thickness of PEX pipes for your particular task. Many pipe fitting manufacturers give a detailed size manual when purchasing any pipe.
Applications of PEX Piping
Knowing the application of PEX is essential. This gives you all the places where you can install PEX pipes safely. These applications of PEX are, according to the PEX manifold manufacturers.
The most crucial application of PEX is with cold and hot water distribution systems. This can be used in new buildings and with renovation products.
- It can also be used in radiant electric baseboard heating systems
- At municipal city water pipe systems.
- It can be used in ice and snow-melting systems on pavements, roads, and staircases.
- For golf courses and sports fields, turf maintenance. They are making it more affordable.
Guide to selecting the right PEX pipe
Because of the different sizes and colors of PEX pipes, you need to know what to consider before buying PEX. With this guide, you can’t choose the wrong one. You are making PE better than buying copper from copper fitting suppliers.
Water pressure
The thickness of the PEX pipe will be considered according to the current water pressure. The higher the wave pressure, the thicker (larger) the pipe needs to be.
Length of line
It would be best to convince PEX manifold manufacturers of how much PEX you need. You can buy the P X in rolls or straight sections. Many people choose the PEX because it is easy to purchase and handle during installation.
Your budget
Researching different companies to find the most affordable PEX pipes and fittings is important. Please don’t settle for the cheapest option, but consider the temperature of the water before buying.
Conclusion
With any water and hot water tanks, you need to find a suitable pipe to move your water around. You can choose between PEX and copper pipes. Most people will say that copper pipes are more durable. However, this isn’t the case at all.
This is why it’s essential to take the time to get to know as much as possible about the pipes you need for your plumbing project. You might think P X is low quality because it isn’t made from durable materials. However, it is safe to say that you can use the same water system again.