Fact 1: PEX was invented in 1968 by German inventor, Dr. Thomas Engel. Fact 2: PEX was introduced to the European market in 1972 with the Engel-method. Fact 3: In 1984 the PEX was brought to North America and introduced into the radiant floor heating industry.

When was PEX pipe first used in homes?

PEX has been used Europe since the 1970s and in the United States since the 1980s, initially for radiant heating. Its market share increased as builders and consumers began to use it for residential water distribution in the 1990s. HUD studies helped demonstrate the performance and value of PEX.

When did PEX water lines come out?

I cut my teeth as a young plumber using copper. PEX hadn’t been invented at the time. Plastic PEX tubing first was introduced into the U.S. market as a radiant floor heating product in the 1980s. In the 1990s, PEX started to appear as piping material for use in domestic potable drinking water supply.

What is the life expectancy of PEX plumbing?

Myth: PEX tubing has a short life span. Fact: The life span of PEX tubing can vary based on frequency of use, water quality and water temperature and has an average life expectancy of 40-50 years.

Is PEX tubing better than copper?

PEX pipe is not only cheaper than copper but more durable too. PEX is immune to corrosion and mineral build-up, and it’s not affected by electrolysis, which can cause small pinhole leaks in copper piping.

Is PEX safe for drinking water?

There are no health risks associated with drinking water from PEX pipes. A few types of PEX-pipe may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odour if the water remains in pipes over time.

Does PEX get brittle over time?

Defective PEX pipes will not last 50+ years as advertised and quickly degrade and become brittle when exposed to hot chlorinated water. We are experts in PEX analysis and will determine if the pipe failed due to defective installation or because of a manufacturing defect.

Where is PEX not allowed?

PEX can’t be installed in high heat areas.

You can’t install PEX in high heat areas like near recessed lighting. This also means you can’t connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this.

Do mice chew PEX tubing?

Mice and rats will chew through anything they can, including plastic, so PEX tubing is at just as much risk as the plastic-coated wiring in a car or an HVAC unit. While all rodent damage can be expensive, if rodents chew through a home’s PEX water pipes, the result can be disastrous.

What is wrong with PEX plumbing?

PEX piping has a maximum bend radius, which can lead to stress on the pipe caused by improper installation. In addition, extreme bends and kinks place a very high local stress on the wall of the pipe, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation.

Is there a difference between red and blue PEX?

Although there are three types of PEX (see Label Lingo, below), the different colors don’t connote the distinctions; they simply make it easy for the installer to identify which lines carry hot water and which carry cold. Red PEX pipe carries hot water. Blue PEX pipe carries cold water.

Can PEX be buried?

PEX tubing is approved for direct burial outdoors, a practice most often necessary when running a water supply line to a house. PEX, since it can expand, resists freezing more effectively than rigid pipe, but PEX can still burst if water freezes in a line.

What is the safest pipe for drinking water?

Copper pipes with lead-free joint materials are the best choice for water pipes. They are long-lasting and won’t leach chemicals into your drinking water.

Can PEX piping freeze?

PEX pipe will expand if frozen and contract to its original shape when thawed. But putting frequent stress on the system weakens it, increasing chances of failure and leaks. So, to preserve the strength of your pipes, you should use the same standard insulation precautions with PEX to keep it from freezing.

Is PEX safe for drinking water 2021?

Final Thoughts. PEX was banned in California due to some concerns about toxic materials leaking through the pipe and into water. Through various national laboratory tests, PEX has proven to be completely safe and durable. It is now legal in California and even included in principal plumbing codes.

Is PEX poisonous?

With a plumbing-pipe offering in sizes up to 3 inches, PEX is challenging traditional copper and CPVC materials for domestic water applications. This provides confirmation the pipe does not leach harmful substances into drinking water and is safe for potable systems in healthcare facilities.

Is PEX better than PVC?

When a connection to copper or other metal pipes is required, PEX works better than PVC because crosslinked polyethylene won’t corrode. – Price. When you compare the material costs of PEX vs PVC, PEX comes out more expensive. (However, balance this factor against the lower labor cost to install PEX.)