I wanted to ask anyone who might know what the fundamental differences are between PVC pipe and some new material that I have never heard of before that is called PEX..

To make a long story short, I've got an old house that was built sometime during the 1950's that's being used as rental property..

Unfortunately, there have been some nagging, chronic plumbing issues that have arisen in the past couple of years due to the aging and decay of the old cast iron pipe that was originally put in the house when it was built.

I'm now considering getting someone to replace the plumbing in the entire house (both supply and discharge) and this person mentioned that he didn't use PVC pipe anymore and that he now used a material instead that he referred to as 'PEX'...

I was hoping that there might be someone here that would know something about PEX and what the benefits of using it are..

Thanks in advance!

 

Pex (polybutilyne...which I cannot spell...lol), the crimper tool and the fittings are fairly expensive. The tool itself costs about $100. Then if you ever have a break you must get someone who has the tool to fix it for you. It seems to be a good choice for water lines. Years ago Vanguard made it and their fittings were poor and leaked or blew apart so it got a bad name. I suppose there is someone else who can answer you better than me. I would go with PVC as it is easy for a do-it-yourself person to repair. JMO

 

I've worked on a lot of mobile homes with PEX or similiar type plumbing. You can buy compression type PEX fittings to repair it. But IMO, PEX isn't a good product. On 20yr+ old MHs, plumbing breaks seem to be a reoccuring problem

My home is a house built around an older MH. The majority of my plumbing is cpvc and has been trouble free so far.

 

The fundamental difference PVC is rigid plastic and PEX is pliable and conforms to any angle.

The other differences are: PEX is rated for hot water but PVC is not. CPVC is, but that is even a different product. PVC has been in the market place about 15 years longer than PEX. PEX has been in the market in Europe, not North America, for many years. It has a remarkable history of non events as other plastic products carrying water, under pressure, do.


Other than the crimping tool, and special fittings; PEX is a great product to use and anyone can install it.

In a total repipe, were demo is a minimum, I'd use PEX hands down in a minute. Homerun each line to the manifold, your done fairly quick.

Have fun with your project....

 

I redid my main water supply in the house and used PEX. The fittings I used were Sharkbite from Home Depot. The best part is you can tie in to the threaded pipes with the fittings so you may not have to remove all the pipe. Now would be a good time to install a PRV and water filter.

 

PEX and the piping used in older mobile homes (the gray stuff) are not the same.

PEX is a white flexible plastic that is all the rage now for new homes, mainly because it is fast and requires virtually no skill to install (meaning the contractor spends less time on each job=more money in his pocket).

PVC is the familiar white piping, it can only be used for cold water.
CPVC is a tan color, and can be used for cold or hot water.

Copper is, well, copper.. and incredibly expensive these days.

My preferences would be:
Copper
CPVC (both hot and cold)
PVC/CPVC mixed
PEX

 

Hi, the grey plumbing everybody was talking about is called polybutylene.older mobilehomes and houses have this. i was talking to plumber i know cpvc, pex is ok but nothing like copper. there have been lawsuits on the polybutylene pipe.

 

The plumbing in the 80's and 90's MHs may not be PEX but PEX compression type fittings [available at the big box] fit and can be used to repair broken fittings or breaks in the pipe/tubing.

If the MHs don't have PEX, I retract my condemnation of the product but stand by that whatever was used in the MHs is junk.

 

Polybutylene = grey pipe in older mobile homes. No good, class action suits.

PEX = new homes (mobile and stick built)

Crimp rings for the two are NOT the same. You can tell the difference by the color. PEX black, polybutylene copper.

 

I don't know about the crimp connectors but the compression type fittings that say they are for PEX - work well when repairing the old polybutylene plumbing in the older MHs.

 

A few days ago I replaced a floor in a MH bath and went back yesterday to reinstall the commode. The MH had polybutylene plumbing plumbing but the tail end [at the bath] had previously been converted to PEX.

I've known for some time that the PEX compression fittings work for repairing polybutylene [usually PEX is all you can find] I had an old polybutylene cut off valve that I intended to use since the commode didn't have one. It wouldn't fit!! Apparently PEX can be used to fix polybutylene plumbing but but not the other way around.

 

Hi, I used what is called a quest fitting . the plumber put one on under the sink.the old shut off broke just below the valve. it has two compression fittings so one side can go on the pipe and the other side you can attach a supply line on it. some times they are hard to find.