I am curious does anyone make a manifold that uses ProPEX connections directly? There are threaded adapters but I'd rather not buy dozens of $18 fittings, install them etc just to get to ProPEX.

PS not copper, our water eats copper for breakfast.

Thanks

John

I assume you mean radiant heat manifolds from a different manufacturer than Uponor (Wirsbo) EP manifolds which are often more expensive than the metal manifolds they were reportedly intended to compete against. Doubtful since Uponor (Wirsbo) likely still has patent rights on this system. You might want to check PexSupply.com as they often have best availability, selection, and prices. Full disclosure, they are an affiliate we often recommend. The ProPEX system was used in Europe for several years before recently getting used in the states and I seem to recall reading about leaks/failures starting to be reported for radiant hydronic system applications. So you might want to apply due diligence and research this system further before going down this path.

The only real piece i could find on the internet about ProPEX leaks was a theory that installers didnt rotate the expander and created tiny channels in the interior surface of the PEX.

I've got the Milwaukee M12 which auto rotates to avoid just such a problem.

(I see i can buy the ProPEX R20 fitting for $5.)

Thanks

John

I've been using Rehau manifolds with compression fittings for almost 20 years (and before that, Wirsbo) and i will continue to do it. I am not a fan of the propex system which Wirsbo (sorry, Uponor) used to use and we called "quick and leaky". Crimp is a better seal if you don't want to go compression.

I can't say I agree. we worked with Wirsbo/Uponor for a long time and the propex fitting always worked very well for our clients. that said, radial press/everloc is a more robust connection. but we just use compression fittings as well so people don't have to tool up. Also we were doing it during the brass fitting days, dunno how the newer EP fittings ended up working out.

as for the original poster I think Uponor has propex copper manifold ends but for any regular manifold system they have for radiant, you'll need the propex adapters that screw on.

From what I recall, the ProPex leaking issue was associated with the newer EP fittings and it took a couple years to occur. Likely because this system depends of the memory properties of plastic which can deteriorate with time...especially in an hydronic heating application that sees many more extreme thermal cycles than a standard domestic water application. If I can find the article I read about this, I will post it.

I have to admit that my experience with propex was in its early stages and have not seen it used on any of the jobs I work on for10 years at least. i do see it in the wholesalers but i never see anyone buy it so all my info is pretty old. Tried and true everloc is as good as you can get but is more expensive than anything else. It is all I would ever use to fix an underground leak.