Have you learnt what supplies the plumbers used after they plumbed your private home? Relying on the age of the home, and the way a lot plumbing work you’ve wanted over time, you’ll possible discover copper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and presumably brass plumbing merchandise.
Many older properties have forged iron or galvanized metal pipes—some properties constructed earlier than 1986 nonetheless have lead pipes.
Even probably the most sturdy plumbing supplies gained’t final endlessly, and should you’re contemplating updating your pipes, why not look into putting in PEX pipes? It’s an up-and-coming pattern for each professionals and DIYers. Welcome to new age plumbing!
Undecided in regards to the latest and finest plumbing supplies? We’ve put collectively a information to re-piping with PEX. Take a minute and discover the plumbing product that may resolve a number of plumbing points.
What Is PEX Pipe?
Whether or not you’ve seen it within the plumbing part of your native ironmongery shop, or your plumber instructed PEX pipes as an choice for an upcoming venture, you’d prefer to know extra about it earlier than you employ it for brand new plumbing pipes.
Cross-linked polyethylene—shortened to PEX—is a versatile plastic designed by a German scientist, and launched within the U.S. through the Eighties. In style to be used in radiant flooring heating programs, at the moment PEX additionally provides a superb resolution for changing copper and galvanized metal water strains.
Plumbers all in favour of maintaining with new age plumbing, use it in new building plumbing jobs and for transforming tasks.
Purple White and Blue PEX
Producers make it straightforward to pick the precise PEX. It’s color-coded as follows:
- Purple carries scorching water.
- Blue carries chilly water.
- White carries scorching or chilly water.
Your plumber may use gray PEX pipe, which they will use for each cold and hot water as effectively.
PEX is available in a variety of lengths. The ten-foot items work effectively for small repairs. For putting in your complete water system of a house, plumbers can get rolls over 500 toes in size.
So far as dimension, it’s out there in diameters starting from 3/8 to 1-inch.
Why You Ought to Contemplate Updating Plumbing Pipes
Earlier, we talked about utilizing the age of a house to find out what plumbers used within the preliminary plumbing system. The explanation we’re involved about age is that every sort of plumbing materials has a unique lifespan.
When you have brass, galvanized metal, or forged iron pipes, they will final for 80 to 100 years. Copper has a lifespan of about 70-80 years, whereas PVC pipes usually final 24-45 years.
For those who reside in a house constructed earlier than 1960 and it nonetheless has the unique plumbing system, you possible have forged iron or galvanized metal piping. Let’s say you moved into your private home within the Seventies. Even should you instantly up to date the plumbing with PVC pipes, they’re nearing the tip of their helpful life.
To get a greater thought of when or if that you must replace piping, you’ll need to check out the uncovered pipes in your house. Search for flaking, discoloration, bumps, and anything that appears odd. For those who’re undecided what to search for, name your plumber over and have them do an inspection.
We don’t advise ready till a pipe corrodes all through, otherwise you expertise another plumbing disaster. It’s higher to be proactive and replace your system earlier than you’ve severe issues.
The place Your Plumber Can Use PEX
Earlier than you set your coronary heart on this new era plumbing materials, ensure you discuss together with your plumbing skilled. PEX isn’t appropriate for all functions. Plumbers can use it for the next:
When you have radiator warmth, you may as well use PEX to distribute the recent water used for heating. Ask your plumber for different concepts about utilizing this widespread materials.
Your plumber will solely use PEX tubing in areas the place they really feel assured it gained’t get broken. They can not set up it in a location with publicity to direct or oblique daylight. UV rays will injury the fabric over time.
PEX isn’t appropriate to be used in swimming pool plumbing. Excessive concentrations of chlorine can injury it, and chlorine ranges in pool water usually hover at or barely over the minimal allowable ranges.
Benefits of New Age Plumbing and PEX
There are a number of explanation why plumbers select PEX piping for brand new period plumbing installations.
For one, not like copper and metal pipes, PEX isn’t vulnerable to corrosion. A corrosion-resistant materials minimizes the danger of leaks.
Because it’s a versatile plastic materials, PEX expands, which suggests you gained’t want to fret about your plumbing pipes freeze-cracking throughout chilly snaps. No extra expensive repairs on account of pipe bursts!
Plumbers love PEX as a result of they will set up it beneath concrete—a useful function when repairing a slab leak.
Have you ever ever heard the “thunk” attributable to a water hammer? The noise is the results of water speeding beneath strain by way of your pipes. It’s not solely loud and annoying, but it surely might be an indication of broken metallic piping. Water flows quietly by way of PEX pipes.
Did we point out color-coding? Sure, we did, and most plumbers and DIYers recognize the flexibility to differentiate between the cold and warm water provide strains.
One other benefit of utilizing PEX is the value. It’s extra economical than copper piping, so it makes a superb choice for a number of plumbing jobs.
Able to Replace Your Plumbing System?
Now that you realize a little bit extra about this revolutionary new age plumbing materials, it’s time to offer severe consideration to updating your plumbing.
Whether or not you’re dwelling in an older house, or you’ve pipes in want of substitute, PEX provides many benefits over copper or metal piping. It’s sturdy, versatile, and cost-effective!
For those who’re prepared to put in new plumbing, otherwise you require different plumbing companies, get in contact with our crew! With over 25 years of plumbing expertise within the Tulsa space, we’ve seen all of it, and we’ve managed nearly each plumbing downside you may think about.
We’re right here for you with 24-hour emergency service for these sudden backups or leaks.