Problem Solved

Margaret,

I've never used or seen it applied, but I recall reading of a new system that lines existing pipe.  If I recall correctly, they isolate the system and drain it, pump a "plastic" fluid through the system, empty it, and cure it.  I don't recall if what I read was describing an experimental system or a commercially available product.  And I have no idea of its cost.  But, it might be better than the mess that re-piping would create.  But I'd sure read the warranty (grin).

Good luck,
Larry

Just my 2-bits here;

Don't know anything about PEX, but, lining existing piping with a liquid poly (or otherwise) sounds very scary. I'm thinking of water flow problems due to undersized/plugged piping caused by irregular thickness of internal coating (if the process worked at all). Think about this: if the piping won't hold water, would you expect a paper-thin liner to withstand pressure/abrasion (all water contains some abrasive mineral/sedimentary material). If you doubt my words, read about/talk with someone knowledgeable with hydrodymamics, typical domestic water systems, and corrosion of piping. Corrosion doesn't stop just because it got covered up. I would go with a sure thing. No subsitute for new pipes. Not to step on toes, but, even if someone can give documented/proven results for a pipe lining, I wouldn't consider it. Not to mention, how good can a warranty for this type of process be? If it screws up a part of/all of your house will they replace your piping and pay for wall/ceiling board work? One other thing: have you ever experienced ruptured/burst water pipes? Liners won't stop this either. Leaking pipes are weakened and ready to FAIL.

Regarding replacement piping types: PVC is in-expensive, durable, fast and easy...even for the weekend DIY'er. The bulk of of the work and money would be in your wall/ceiling board work.

I re-piped my copper  plumbing in my condo with pex stuff.

The process was fairly simple, but

1.  Findinging a plumber with PEX experience may be difficult.
2.  Buying a PEX expanding tool can be done on ebay.com - I bought two and later sold them for about what I paid for them.
3.  If you live in a cold climate,  do not run your PEX tubing through the attic.

If I had it to do over again, I would use ACME's SharkBite fittings.  They allow you to connect PVC, copper or PEX piping with no soldiering.  check out www.cashacme.com and take a look at the SHARKBITE products.

Good luck

I am doing a bathroom remodel, and I want to connect copper piping to pex pipe. I am putting it in the wall and closing it up and then putting tile on the wall. By code, Palm Beach County, can the shark bites be installed in the wall, and will it pass inspection.

Don Garner at [email protected]

We gutted a small 1920's home and replaced completely the clogged galvanized metal pipes with PEX tubing from the supply valve to all fixtures. My wife designed the layout, mounted the manifold on plywood, ran the tubing and made most of the connections. Magically the water pressure increased greatly. No leaks anywhere.

Problems? One problem we encountered was getting a good seal on two connections. This was a result of not lining the metal ring properly before using the crimpiing tool. But we simply cut off the ring, placed a new one, crimped and success.

I guess a second minor issue would be that sometimes it's easier if two people or at least 3 hands do the crimping. Two to hold the crimping tool and one to hold the ring and tubing in place.

Third, would be that gaining access to a connection can be limited due to the long handles of the crimping tool. I think the SharkBite product might be a little friendlier in that regard.

Advantages: Peace of mind knowing when installed will perform as advertized, no flame required, can isolate fixture at the manifold, less connections, easy for DIY, long lasting installl. Our dream home will be plumbed with PEX. Cheers, Dave

Just played with a SharkBite demo that consisted of a 3-way brass fitting connected to (1) a section of 1/2" PEX with SharkBite logo (2) a section of 1/2" copper pipe and (3) a section of 1/2" PVC. Using the orange colored horseshoe shaped device I was able to easily remove each section of tubing/pipe from the fitting and reconnect each without much effort. One question I have is how leakproof the connections are after a few disconnections. Overall, seems an impressive innovation. Dave

MaggieH,

I prefer PEX lines instead of copper.

There are several different PEX plumbing systems on the market.  I am aware of three different processes used to make the PEX:  pex-A, pex-B, and pex-C.  The letters A, B, and C simply refers to the way the pex material is made and not the grade.  You might want to look at Zurn and Uponor pex plumbing systems.  I think both systems are good quality and I would not hesitate to use them.  Zurn has a new manifold that requires only finger tightening of the lines and Uponor has a simple way of making the connections.  Google both systems to compare.

Agree with Alton regarding PEX vice copper. We used the Zurn brand of connections in our home.

Alton, I believe you are referring to Uponor, which now includes Wirsbo PEX products

Thank you.  Yes, I meant Uponor instead of Oponor.  I went back and edited my remarks to show the correct spelling.

My advice would be to stay away from Zurn and Kitech brands. Both currently have class-action lawsuits against them due to failing fittings.

Uponor/Wirsbo is IMHO, the best pex system on the market. I will be installing it in my new home.