What are PEX Plumbing Pipes?

Professional plumbers use different types of plumbing pipes to provide efficient plumbing systems for homeowners and commercial facilities. One of the most efficient materials is PEX plumbing pipes.

PEX plumbing pipes are made of Crosslinked polyethylene, a form of flexible plastic. It is used in new building and renovation projects to replace traditional copper and galvanized steel water supply lines. You’ve seen rolls of blue and red PEX plumbing pipe in the plumbing section of your local home improvement store.

Still, you may not be aware that this colorful tubing allows passionate DIYers to replace faulty water lines rather than contact an expert. Continue reading to discover more about PEX—what it is, where it can be used, and all of the benefits and drawbacks of this popular plumbing material.

PEX, Past, and Present

Thomas Engle, a German scientist, developed a means to crosslink ordinary plastic (polyethylene) using radiation in 1968, resulting in a considerably suppler material.

The new plastic, in the form of flexible PEX plumbing pipes (also known as PEX tubing), debuted in the United States in the 1980s, originally for radiant floor heating systems.

old vs new PEX pipes and tubes

Hot water is pushed through the flexible tubing embedded in a concrete slab to heat the floor and radiate heat to the rest of the room. PEX pipe is used for radiant floor heating quite widely to this day.

Although PEX has been part of European water delivery systems since the 1980s, it was introduced in Canada less than 25 years ago.

When the fittings used to link the pipes broke and leaked, complaints regarding early PEX water systems arose. Improved fittings remedied the problem, and PEX’s popularity skyrocketed. PEX now has about 40 percent market share, with copper still in the lead.

PEX Plumbing Pipe Particulars

PEX comes in various lengths, from modest 10-foot pieces (for minor repairs) to rolls over 500 feet long, used to build a complete home’s water supply system. PEX plumbing pipe has a diameter of 3/8- to 1-inch and is color-coded to make it easy to recognize what each tube is used for.

Although there are three varieties of PEX pipes (see below), the varying colors have no use other than to make it easier for the installer to distinguish which pipe supplies hot water and which delivers cold water.

  • Hot water travels via the red PEX pipe.
  • Cold water travels through the blue PEX pipe.
  • Both hot and cold water may be utilized with the white PEX pipe.
  • Like white PEX pipe, grey PEX tubing suits hot and cold water (although not all DIY centers carry gray).

PEX Plumbing Pipe Particulars

Fantastic Flexibility

Traditional water systems of copper and galvanized steel have a central line and several smaller branches that go to each fixture. Every branch that connects to the main line needs its connector.

Due to its flexibility, PEX plumbing pipe has a significant advantage over conventional materials since it may connect to a PEX manifold (the primary water control system) on one end and then wind uninterruptedly through walls and floors to reach a specific fixture.

It is known as “homerun” plumbing because it avoids the possibility of leakage at many connection locations by employing a single piece of PEX plumbing pipe for each cold and hot water supply fixture in your home.

Benefits and Drawbacks of PEX Pipes

Every system has its pros and cons. We will discuss the Advantage and Disadvantages of PEX plumbing pipe next.

Advantages of PEX plumbing pipe:

  • Unlike installing copper and galvanized steel, installing PEX does not involve soldering.
  • Copper vs PEX Compared, PEX expands, making it more resistant to freeze-cracking.
  • PEX does not corrode, which may happen to steel and copper pipes and result in leaks and water supply pollution.
  • Water moves softly via PEX, which eliminates the “water hammer” sound that metal pipe makes.
  • Red and blue color coding make it easy to distinguish between hot and cold supply lines.
  • With the appropriate fittings, PEX may be linked to existing metal supply lines.

PEX pipes advantages

The Disadvantages of PEX:

  • Using PEX outside is not recommended at all. PEX degrades quickly when exposed to ultraviolet radiation; tubing outside can harden and split in less than a year.
  • Since PEX plumbing pipe does not melt like other recyclable polymers, it cannot yet be recycled. But if PEX becomes more well-known, there will undoubtedly be a greater need for a mechanism to recycle it.
  • Even though installation is do-it-yourself friendly, using PEX calls for specialized connectors and equipment.

PEX pipes drawbacks

Label Lingo

The manufacturing procedure utilized to create the tubing distinguishes the various forms of PEX. When shopping for PEX, you may come across rolls designated with an A, B, or C. Choose the tubing that best meets your requirements:

Peroxide is used in the production of PEX-A. This form of PEX plumbing pipe is the most adaptable of the three and may be used for all household water-supply plumbing demands.

It expands the most when exposed to freezing water, making it the most resistant to cracking in cold conditions. It’s simple to deal with but more costly than B or C. Aside from flexibility, PEX-A offers no substantial advantages over PEX-B.

The moisture-cure process is used to make PEX-B. PEX-B is somewhat stiffer than PEX-A and contains coil “memory,” which causes the tubing to try to return to its original coiled configuration. However, coil memory is not an obstacle to installation.

PEX-B is frequently used for home plumbing since it expands to prevent fracturing when water freezes, yet it is less expensive than PEX-A. PEX-B also has a higher chlorine resistance, making it a desirable choice in places where the water is heavily chlorinated.

PEX-C is created using an irradiation process. PEX-C is the hardest to work with since it is the stiffest; its rigidity makes it the most prone to kinking and splitting when water freezes.

Because of these drawbacks, PEX-C is best suited for brief repairs when bending around sharp corners is not required. The most cost-effective option is PEX-C.

Making PEX plumbing pipe Connections

You’ll need the necessary equipment and supplies to establish watertight connections using a PEX plumbing pipe. The fittings and connectors for each of the following joining methods must be a perfect match to the size of the PEX pipe.

Hundreds of brass fittings are available to connect PEX to existing copper or steel pipes and to make connections to fixtures. Fittings are also provided to connect pipes of various diameters. The five procedures listed below are utilized to make the connections waterproof.

Copper crimping: One of the most prevalent methods of joining PEX is with copper crimping rings, which necessitate using a particular PEX plumbing pipe crimping tool. The copper ring is slipped over the ends of the PEX pipe, and then a fitting is installed.

plumbing PEX pipe connections

The copper ring is then pushed to the end of the tube—over the fitting—and crimped securely in place with a PEX crimping tool.

Expansion connections: The expansion technique of connecting PEX includes stretching the diameter of the PEX tube using a special PEX expander tool before inserting the end of a fitting. The PEX tubing returns to its normal size, forming a watertight seal around the fitting.

Stainless steel clamps (SSC): The SSC technique of joining PEX includes tightening stainless steel rings around PEX connectors using a ratchet clamping tool. The steel ring is placed over the PEX tube before the fitting is installed, just like the copper crimping technique.

The ratchet clamping device is then used to tighten the ring around the tube and fit it by squeezing a tab on the ring.

Compression fittings: A threaded brass nut is slipped over the PEX tube’s ends, followed by a tapered plastic compression ring. The end of the PEX tube is then inserted with a hollow brass tube.

The entire assembly is then put into the end of a threaded fitting, and the threaded brass nut is fitted onto the fitting’s end. As the nut is tightened, the plastic compression ring presses against the end of the brass fitting to form a seal.

Push-fit connections: The push-fit method is the quickest way to connect PEX, which includes purchasing specific push-fit fittings that “grip” the end of the PEX plumbing pipe when fitted over the end.

Push-fit fittings do not require any special equipment to operate, but they require a specific removal ring to be removed from the end of the pipe once joined.

You can appreciate how push-fit attachment functions if you had played with one of those paper tube “traps” that snagged your finger when you inserted it into the tube as a child.

Conclusions

Only use the appropriate tools to make PEX connections for the best results. For example, using pliers to crimp a connecting ring will not result in the same tight fit as using a PEX crimping tool. Make clean end cuts using a PEX cutter to make it easier to deal with.

Because UV radiation destroys PEX piping, PEX is not recommended to be used outside; keep them inside and away from sunny windows. The lifespan of PEX pipe should be at least 50 years due to its adaptability and toughness.

If you are not sure about your plumbing pipes, it is best to call an expert residential plumber for an inspection. Home plumbers will inspect your system and provide the best solution to ensure your plumbing system works efficiently.

When was indoor plumbing invented?

Most homes did not have sophisticated residential plumbing until the mid-19th century. Indoor plumbing was adopted once cities created effective water and sewage systems. Nearly all American homes today have indoor plumbing.

However, in the past, the indoor water supply was a privilege reserved for kings, queens, and rich members of society.

flushing toilet invention

The Flushing Toilet

Crete King Sir Minos owned the first flushing toilet. This was the time when was indoor toilets invented. The seat of the flushing toilet was made of wood. Crete had a sophisticated water delivery system at the time.

It’s been more than 2,800 years since then. In 1594, the concept of a flushing toilet was revived. For his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I, Sir John Harrington designed a flushing toilet.

It took another two hundred years for someone else to consider making the toilet a reality. People used to use outhouses with holes in the early 1800s. The aim was to create a sanitation space in the house that was free of mess and stench.

Thomas Jefferson, an architect, constructed an indoor urinal. He devised a pulley mechanism for his servants to remove the chamber pots. The arrangement had a wooden bench with a pot on top. The system was deemed unhealthy and unsightly by the designers of New York City’s Central Park.

indoor plumbing in Tremont hotel

Indoor Plumbing and the Tremont Hotel Case

Architect Isaiah Rogers created the system for his Boston hotel, The Tremont Hotel, in 1826. Tremont Hotel was ranked among the best in the United States due to its indoor plumbing.

On the ground level of the hotel, there were eight closets. The same source that provided cold water for the kitchen and laundry also supplied the bathrooms located in the basement.

Additionally, there were bathtubs made of tin or copper with a gas furnace connected to one side to heat the water. Since the water had to circulate within the tub before it warmed, the arrangement was inefficient.

Even before 1800, bathhouses were widespread in the Northeast. Hotel rooms and urban homes didn’t have baths until much later. A water supply and waste management system were required to make bathtubs.

Water entered the Tremont hotel through a metal storage tank placed on the top. The hotel pumped water to the rooftop tank using a steam pump. A carriage then transported the sewage from the house.

Rogers sought to upgrade his work at the Tremont Hotel after five years, but this time at a different hotel. He created the Astor House, a six-story building with 17 rooms and water closets.

Three hundred visitors may be accommodated in these closets. The first hotels to offer water closets, regarded as contemporary features, were the Astor House and the Tremont.

history of indoor bathrooms

The Indoor Bathroom and Indoor Plumbing

Before the 1800s, bathing wasn’t always as convenient as it is nowadays. Since there were no sophisticated heating systems or indoor plumbing, many individuals would only take baths on special occasions or when advised to do so by a physician.

Since there was no indoor plumbing available, people had to use a hand pump to fill and drain the bathtub so they could take a bath. However, the advent of sanitary sewers in 1845 allowed for the construction of indoor restrooms.

There was a venting issue in the early 1900s since no one understood how to size the pipe. The solution to this issue came later, in 1874.

Early Pipes for Indoor Plumbing

Early Pipes for Indoor Plumbing

Although the systems worked in hotels and wealthy people’s houses, the pipes were ineffective. They utilized wooden pipes since iron and lead pipes had not yet been developed. They’d drill holes in trees, preferring elm and hemlock.

The wooden pipes imparted a woody flavour to the water. It would also be infected with insects and frequently break, particularly when used underground. People still wonder how you can avoid home plumbing pipe corrosion.

Cast iron pipes began to gain prominence in 1804. The first city to make use of these pipes was Philadelphia. Due to its reliance on the Schuylkill River as a water source, the city was also the first to deploy large waterworks.

When Chicago built a huge sewer system, it imitated Philadelphia’s model. Chicago Waterpower could provide water to the whole city through a network of twin tunnels.

To reach Lake Michigan, the system went two kilometers. To transport water from the lake and back to town, the city employed steam engines powered by coal. In 1885, E.S.

Chesbrough’s complete sewer system for the city of Chicago became operational. However, it is asserted that New York served as the inspiration for the Chicago sewer system.

At this point in the indoor plumbing timeline, the American water closets were of lower quality than their European counterparts. As a result, in the early 19th century, most closets in the United States were imported from Europe. Cast iron pipes were also widely utilized during this period and were rather common.

sanitation system

The Need for Sanitation Systems

The invention of the modern toilet occurred in 1910. Before then, there were various restrooms, but this toilet permanently altered the dynamic. This toilet utilized the current bowl and cover and a raised water tank. The contemporary toilet was initially created in this manner.

Disease outbreaks such as cholera and typhoid prompted the development of stronger indoor plumbing and sewage systems that directed sewage away from the house.

Plastic pipes, which are still in use today, were invented in 1966. There was a copper scarcity at the time. Plastic pipes were created as a result of manufacturers’ need to adapt. By that time, most homes in the United States had added indoor plumbing during construction.

Conclusion

And this was the brief history of indoor plumbing systems. Indoor plumbing nowadays focuses on efficiency. Engineers comply with current and historic regulations established by governments worldwide.

The English Public Health Code, established in 1848, was the standard regulation for indoor plumbing before modern plumbing systems. Today, plumbers are familiar with the rules governing plumbing in various states.

The plumbing companies understand these requirements and will design your system to be safe and efficient. Some can design a residential plumbing system with the best three steps.

Interior plumbing has become a reality because of the development of indoor boiler room plumbing systems, improved plumbing materials, and sewage treatment plants.

Portable Driveway Snow Melting Mats vs. Heated Driveways: Best Comparison

When you wake up in the morning in the middle of winter in Canada after a restful night’s sleep and see multiple inches of snow in your driveway area, it can dampen your mood. It is evident that spending time shoveling the snow is not fun, especially when you know that it will happen again eventually in a few days. This is a problem that many people face in Canada. However, we have a perfect solution for you. Using heated driveways or portable driveway snow melting mats is the solution. But what is their difference? Which one should you buy and use? Which is more cost-effective? Don’t worry. We have all the answers for you.

What are Built-In Driveway Heating Systems?

Installing built-in heating driveway systems beneath the surface of your facility (similar to radiant-in-floor heating) is one of the best ways to create safe driveways during winter for your house.

These snow and ice melting systems are a grid of heating elements or thin tubes that carry a mixture of antifreeze and warm water. These elements are buried under your driveway’s asphalt or concrete to raise enough temperature to melt the snow or ice on your driveway.

There are two main types of built-in driveway heating systems that are available in the market which are:

  • Electric Heating Driveway
  • Hydronic Driveway Heating Systems

Depending on your needs, a professional plumbing company and contractor in Canada will help you decide the suitable system for your driveway.

Electric Driveway Heating

Electric driveway heating systems are the simplest in the market. Installers loosely weave insulated wires into flexible mats and connect them to the household current with a buried conduit.

Professionals can arrange the mats to align with your car’s tires or cover your home’s driveway completely. This modern driveway heating systems feature a range of system-control options. You can use a classic thermostat to turn on when there is snow to a wi-fi-connected phone or device that automatically modulates your driveway’s temperature according to its weather conditions.

Hydronic Driveway Heating System

A hydronic or water driveway heating system is made from loops of plastic tubes that are called PEX. These tubes carry a mix of propylene glycol or antifreeze liquid and water.

The hydronic heating system is heated by the residential boiler that is placed in the garage or basement. The warm mix is pumped through your residential plumbing system.

Unlike the electric heating system that utilizes one source of energy and power, hydronic boilers are versatile and can be electric, oil, solar, gas, or even wood-fired. The versatility of the water driveway heating system allows homeowners to have various options for cost savings.

What is Similar Between Hydronic and Electric Driveway Heating?

The only similarity between electric and hydronic systems is that they range from automatic to manual control options.

Advantages of Built-in Heating Driveway Systems

  • Eliminates snow and ice
  • No more shoveling during winter
  • Saves time and energy
  • Cost-effective solutions

Challenges

  • Installation cost is a bit high
  • In some cases, installing a new driveway will be required
  • Repairing heated driveway systems can be costly

What is Portable Driveway Snow Melting Mats?

Portable driveway snow melting mats are the cheaper alternative to built-in heating systems. These mobile systems are similar to the mats that are used for porches, walkways, and entryways. But they are built to be strong enough to hold the weight of your car.

Unlike the last system that heats the entire driveway, portable ones are installed in parallel lines to melt ice and snow along the tire path.

The heating elements in portable driveway snow melting mats are sandwiched between rubber material. You can plug a portable snow melting system into a standard outlet.

Portable driveway snow melting mats are one of the suitable alternatives for a home or business that doesn’t see a lot of snow during winter.

Advantages of Portable Driveway Snow Melting Mats

  • You will no longer need to shovel your driveway during cold seasons.
  • Portable driveway snow melting mats quickly melt snow.
  • Mobile snow melting systems are easy to move and portable.
  • Cheaper than the built-in driveway heating systems.
  • Using or replacing them is very easy.

Challenges of Mobile Driveway Snow Melting Systems

  • They are installed over the targeted area, and your driveway is not heated thoroughly.
  • Aesthetic problems