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KO0505 · Mar 20, 2009, 01:36 PM

I live in California and I'm going to have a friend, who is a plumber oversees, help me re-pipe my home. He was suggested that I can use PEX.
I've been reading various reports here and there about the longevity - PEX companies being sued for faulty PEX connectors and the safety of these pipes - reports of leaching of MTBE and other chemicals.
Various organizations here in Calif seem to be really making an issue of this.
Does anyone have any insight on this? Or is this just propaganda?

mygirlsdad77 · Mar 20, 2009, 03:29 PM

I believe they are talking about older pex pipe. The newer pex is a very good product. It is being used almost everywhere now. Its cheaper and easier to install. I would let your friend use the pipe of his choice. Lots of different brands and styles out there. They are all good. Don't worry too much about what you have read on the net. Just make sure the pex you have installed is allowed by code in your area. Good luck and please let me know if this helps.

Older pex pipe use plastic fittings, and the crimp ring wasn't very good. Most new fittings are brass and have a better connecting system, even the pex that still uses crimp rings is much better.

csavage1 · Mar 20, 2009, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

I believe they are talking about older pex pipe. The newer pex is a very good product. It is being used almost everywhere now. its cheaper and easier to install. I would let your friend use the pipe of his choice. Lots of different brands and styles out there. They are all good. Dont worry to much about what you have read on the net. Just make sure the pex you have installed is allowed by code in your area. Good luck and please let me know if this helps.

Older pex pipe use plastic fittings, and the crimp ring wasnt very good. most new fittings are brass and have a better connecting system, even the pex that still uses crimp rings is much better.

Most of the recalls around NY was the plumbing in manufactured housing and mobile homes, the new fittings and rings are super fast .I found that it pays to put a few extra 2 hole straps or pipe hangers with some pipe foam to help keep the pex tubing from moving .

KO0505 · Mar 20, 2009, 04:55 PM

mygirlsdad77 - Thanks for the input. I didn't realize that PEX was all ready on another generation (so to speak).
I was concerned because here in Santa Clara County, CA - I read documents calling into question the use of this stuff. There was a write up that indicated that some lobbyists pushed this through in CA without the normal testing that most other plumbing products go through here in CA.

mygirlsdad77 · Mar 21, 2009, 11:45 AM

I would be surprised if most new installs weren't pex in cali. Pretty sure it's a global trend.

If there are any cali plumbers out there, please let me know what you are using.

We were hard core copper installers, up until the last few years, when copper prices started jumping. We decided to convert to pex, just so we could stay competitive in the industry. We have used a few different brands of pipe and fittings and connections. Wirsbo, rehau, etc. We have had excellent results with all of them. Not a single leak yet. Even the crimp ring connection is outstanding.

Most if not all new pex pipe and fittings have been tested vigorously(especially since the old style pex manufacturers got their pants sued off, and ended up out of business due to a bad product) No matter what product you speak of these days, there will be some group of people that say its no good, but I would be willing to bet that the people saying this have never actually even worked with the products they are putting down. They are misinformed, and all they do is create headaches for the rest of us.

Moral of the story,, just make sure the pipe being installed in your home is allowed by your local code. And then enjoy your new plumbing. Take care and please keep me posted.