Many homeowners in Illinois are choosing to replace their old galvanized steel, copper, or cast-iron pipes with PEX plumbing. There are three main reasons for this: PEX is more durable, offers fewer connections, and expands when frozen. PEX is also resistant to kinking that can make a pipe unusable.
In addition to these advantages, PEX tubing can also help reduce the number of leaks caused by a cracked or burst pipe because it eliminates the need for many tees and fittings between the water line and each fixture. Instead, PEX piping can run directly to each fixture from a manifold, which is easier for plumbers to install and eliminates the possibility of leaks at tee connections.
The PEX piping system is also resistant to “water hammer” that can cause loud banging noises when the shut-off valve in a high-pressure water supply suddenly closes. This pressure build-up causes the pipes to vibrate and flex, which can cause damage to your plumbing fixtures. The PEX pipes are designed to absorb this shock and quickly return to their normal size, eliminating the loud and disruptive noises.
PEX tubing comes in red and blue to distinguish hot and cold water lines, making it easy for the homeowner to identify the source of a problem and find the correct part to repair or replace. It can also be used in a gray color to indicate that it is reclaimed water. There are three types of PEX piping: PEX-A, PEX-B, and PEX-C. Each type has different characteristics, but all must comply with the same ASTM F876 and ASTM F877 standards for chlorine resistance, SDR9 dimensional standard, and have a readable imprint. pex tubing
Leave a Reply