PEX Piping: What You Need to Know

PEX piping is one of the newer piping materials to hit the market. Its flexibility, and cost efficiency are making it more and more popular. While it was invented in the 1960s, it started to be used more in the 1990s, with steadily increasing demand. Most of us know what PVC or copper piping is, but what is PEX?

What is PEX?

Cross-linked polyethylene is the full name for PEX. This type of pipe is used mainly on hot and cold water lines in residential applications. They even make it in red and blue so you can differentiate between temperatures.

It’s known for its flexibility and inexpensive price point. The flexibility of PEX makes installation much faster than other pipe materials such as copper or PVC. There are no joints needed to curve the pipe in the direction it needs to go.

There are two different styles of PEX piping, coiled and sticks. Coiled can be a little more difficult to work with as it tends to keep its shape. The stick style comes in straight pieces that can then be bent or not as needed. The stick style tends to be slightly more expensive than coiled, but many tradespeople tend to go for the stick style.

PEX or Copper? What’s Better?

There are more advantages to using PEX than copper piping in most applications. For many, the cost savings make it better, even without all the other advantages. The cost tends to be about one-third the cost of copper. PEX does require a special tool, but if this is a material you will use often, it will pay for itself quickly.

Next, PEX doesn’t corrode like copper will. Over time copper will eventually corrode, causing leaks to form. Copper pipes will have to be replaced more often due to that than a PEX will.

The installation of copper takes a lot longer than PEX, no matter what style of piping you are doing. Manifold-style systems tend to be much quicker than conventional ones with these pipes. PEX done conventionally also is quicker than having to solder copper pipes.

What is Needed to Install PEX?

Yes, this is one of the downfalls of working with PEX if you have not already. It does require connections. Again, the lower price point of this material does help with having to purchase different connections. To join the material together or two different pipes you will need either a clamp or crimp tool.

Clamp tools are similar to the traditional clamp tools you likely already have. To use this style of tool, slide it on and then squeeze it shut! Crimp tools are a little different than the clamp, you will need a crimp ring tool to connect the piping. The only other tool you may need is a cutting tool. A PEX cutting tool allows you to cut through pipe cleanly.

How to Connect PEX to Fixtures

One way you can tie your PEX to your fixture is directly into the shut-off valve itself. You will have to find a shut-off valve that is made to tie into it. When you do this, you will need to make sure the pipe is supported using a drop-ear bend.

Another way you can hook the pipe to the fixture is by using what is called a stub-out. This is a copper tube that you can attach to the pipe and fixture. If your piping is exposed, and you want a more aesthetically pleasing look, then this is a good way to achieve that.

Expansion and Contraction

Unlike copper, PEX contracts and expands a little more. When you are installing this piping material, a little bit of slack is a good thing. This will allow room for expansion and contraction. A loop of the pipe is a good way to help with contraction; just loop the pipe over itself when installing. This should be done on longer lengths of pipe.

Final Thoughts

PEX is a great material to use, it is easier to install, cheaper to purchase, and can be installed in many different styles. Once you get the hang of installing it, it will become your new favorite piping material.

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