Do's & Don'ts of PEX Tubing Installation
PEX tubing is treated chemically with the high-density polyethylene which is heat resistant, flexible, and does not develop corrode or pinholes. Many DIYers are transitioning to the PEX from copper piping as installation does not require chemicals or welding to join tubing together. In addition, fewer connections or fittings are needed making these kinds of plumbing pipes quicker to install than traditional or metal rigid plastic. To make installation procedure go as much smoothly as probable, it's vital to keep these dos as well as don'ts in your mind.
Do Keep the Piping Away from Severe Temperatures
When positioning piping during the PEX tubing installation, ensure that you keep it far from the areas where it can be exposed to severe temperatures. Don’t install on attics, crawl spaces, or outside walls. Install the tubing only in these areas in case pipes are insulated as per local plumbing codes. Tubing should be 12 inches far from recessed lights and 3 inches from the gas vents.
It shouldn't also be used in the direct sunlight or gas lines.
Do Not Turn the Water Off to the Whole House
Turn the water off before you start the work, but do not turn the water off to the whole house if it is not necessary. Most of the homes have valves which let you to turn water off from one area only at once. After you do so, drain water from pipes you wish to replace by simply turning on both cold and hot taps of lowest faucet in area you will be working out.
Do Recognize Tubing Runs
Mark every run at manifold with one piece of thicker paper and plastic fastener around your pipe. Write on paper with black marker to recognize where water from run goes, like bathroom sink, cold or hot water, or basement toilet.
Do Not Cut Tubing to Precise Size
Doing so does not allow for the mistakes and can make PEX tubing installations take longer time than it must or cost you lots of money as you'll have to purchase new tubing. Whenever cutting the starting and end of tube, leave a bit extra to decrease the chance of piece being very short which will make connections to manifolds nearly impossible.
Do Know How Deeper to Notch or Drill
With installation of PEX tubing, drill in to an utmost depth of 40% the depth of your wood on loads bearing i-joists and wood joints. Notches can go up to a depth of 25 percent. A non-load i-joist or bearing wood can be easily drilled to maximum depth of about 60 percent of depth of the woods. Notches can go up to about 40 percent deeper.
Do Not Bend PEX Tubes Very Tightly
PEX tubing could be bent to accommodate curves slightly. However, do not bend your tubing tighter than radius that is 6 times the sizes of the tubes. For instance, a 1/2-inches tube can possess a 3 inches bend radius. All the 90-degrees turns must have the bend supports.
Do Not Use Metal Hanger
Extra pipe support might be needed during installation of PEX tubing. Offer this support with the plastic hangers only. The metal hangers can easily damage the tube. Make use of the hangers which keep the pipes of the joist or stud to avoid water noise transfers.
Utilizing PEX tubing rather than traditional copper tubing will save you headaches as well as time. Just keep in mind these dos as well as don'ts! You can consult a Plumber Peoria AZ for help in this field.