I'm renovating a couple bathrooms and I'm redoing the plumbing on the showers. Do I need to use Pex A or Pex B? Does it really matter? Should I use the shark bite connections or just use the crimps to make the connections?
OT- Any plumbers on the pack? Pex question
- Thread starter civildawg88
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Rule one is fittings are not interchangable, Pex A requires an expansion tool and Pex A fittings. Can't use Pex B fittings with Pex A pipe and vice versa. Also, does your home already have Pex A or B?
Well that's probably going to make my decision clear. I'm not buying the expansion tool for a few fittings. The existing lines are copper
I guess I technically could use the shark bite connections on all connections and use Pex A without the expansion tool if PEX A is a clear winner over B
You could probably rent the expansion tool. Weak point for Sharkbite fittings is the O ring.
Weak point for the expansion joint is the expansion joint. Use copper and sweat it.
I prefer copper because I like the challenge of a perfectly soldered fitting, but the OP obviously doesn't want it.
Yeah, more tools to buy but watching the solder flow is so satisfying when done correctly. Of course mine always look like **** so I'd stick with shark bites.
The moonshine just doesn't taste right coming out of PEX.
Not a plumber, but a ton of direct experience on my own stuff.
- How old is your current copper plumbing? If it's Type L and not 60 years old, just stay with that. I'd solder it instead of crimping, but I think either are fine. Do not get Type M copper, it is thin and will develop pinholes. I've seen it happen in like 10 years.
- Pex A is considered better than Pex B, but both are good. You need the expansion tool for A and the crimping tool for B, both expensive, but you can probably rent.
- Just say not to Sharkbites! Especially if a do it yourselfer, you have to get that thing perfect. I just would not live with that risk behind a wall. IMO sharkbites are for emergencies and temporary fixes.
I don't play with water. Get it done right. Get a licensed plumber out there and solder it. If the rest of your house was pex, I'd say to go that route, whichever one.
- How old is your current copper plumbing? If it's Type L and not 60 years old, just stay with that. I'd solder it instead of crimping, but I think either are fine. Do not get Type M copper, it is thin and will develop pinholes. I've seen it happen in like 10 years.
- Pex A is considered better than Pex B, but both are good. You need the expansion tool for A and the crimping tool for B, both expensive, but you can probably rent.
- Just say not to Sharkbites! Especially if a do it yourselfer, you have to get that thing perfect. I just would not live with that risk behind a wall. IMO sharkbites are for emergencies and temporary fixes.
I don't play with water. Get it done right. Get a licensed plumber out there and solder it. If the rest of your house was pex, I'd say to go that route, whichever one.
I like copper because I already have everything I need and don't have to go buy the new stuff. I don't do any big jobs just repairs on the house and sprinkler system so not worth teaching an old dog new tricks when I've got all the required stuff for copper. I still see articles about PEX failing prematurely but I also know people that love it so who knows.
^^THIS all day. Only use Type L copper for your house, and just avoid sharkbites. They will live up to their name on your a$$ at some point in time.
I'll do a little bit of plumbing work and I'll change light fixtures, but generally follow the "if it's got a current, hire a pro" rule for water and electric.
Yep I don't 17 with pressurized main water lines. I helped a guy do a lot of plumbing, but he was a plumber. Not doing that myself. I will do service lines and non-pressurized sewer pipe all day, that's easy.
Water line leaks are the worst. I'm surprised there aren't more of them. I'm always tempted to turn off the water to myself when I leave the house for a vacation, but usually just leave it on to keep the pipes and connections at a sort of homeostasis, for lack of a better word. And usually you have to 17 with things to have a total failure, but bad connections happen, got to stay on top of that shlt. And sharkbites are notorious. Plastic O-ring? GTFO of here with that, this ain't a water hose.
I sell plumbing materials and have experience selling both. There is not a big difference in the quality of the pipe. It’s just different joining methods. Pex a is dummy proof. Once the fitting is in, it’s not coming out. Anyone with the tool can do it. Pex b is crimp and cheaper because you don’t need the electric tool. But if you don’t know what you are doing, you can miss the crimp and cause a leak. Most people just use B pex because they are just doing quick residential service or a new house and they know what they are doing. Pex a is mostly used in commercial and multi family construction. You can also go get a pex B sleeve crimp that is a little easier to crimp. I would just go to local plumbing wholesale supply and they will set you up.
don’t use sharkbite unless you are using it to hold for a couple of days before you go get a permanent fix. For all you copper guys still sweating, I salute you. You are a dinosaur and using a lost art
don’t use sharkbite unless you are using it to hold for a couple of days before you go get a permanent fix. For all you copper guys still sweating, I salute you. You are a dinosaur and using a lost art
This thread has lasted all day. I'm disappointed in all of you.
*sigh* Fine, I'll do it.
I'm not a plumber but I occasionally lay some pipe.
*sigh* Fine, I'll do it.
I'm not a plumber but I occasionally lay some pipe.
Its amazingly easy to crimp the pex line. The tool is like $50 I think. My son bought it for his use. I borrowed it. Neither of us have had any leaks. Plus dont discount the freeze factor. It won't hardly bust
STFU yourself, dork.
A plumber acquaintance of mine would call those “rich boy tools”. I picked up a handheld PEX 1/2” & 3/4” crimper with included go/no go gauge on clearance at Home Depot, when they were changing packaging, for less than $20. Works fine. I’m not crimping PEX all day every day, no one HAS to spend thousands of dollars to accomplish a PEX connection.
That’s why you hire a real plumber instead of trying to do it yourself with some hand held jackoff tools. Like I said, good luck.