My stab at pex layout and my pex order.

[wedge40]

I dont have the greatest program to modify the PDF to place the pex, but here is what I have so far. I want to pick up the phone and call Blueridge today and get the order in.

Here is my order for pex and manifolds. I wont be able to put heat to it for another year, but I wanted the pex put down when the cement goes in. Pex is 1/2" layout on 12" centers. I plan on two zones, one that cover 40'x40' and another that covers 16'x40'. With two manifolds. Will I need two pressure kits? Or can I tie it all together. I'm going to use 3/8" rebar placed on 12" centers and 5" cement. The two areas between loops 1 and 2 is where I want to place a 2 post lift in the future.

Order:
2 900' rolls of 1/2 pex.
2 300' rolls of 1/2 pex.
1 4 port manifold
1 7 port manifold
15 bend supports - Not sure about this, think I may use 1" conduit bends.
1 pressure test kit.

Again, please dont ask about a heat load calc. I'm just putting the pex and wont be getting heat source and pumps till later.

Wedge

 

[jack stand]

I'm wondering about having 2 zones within the same air space (no partitions), if that will gain you much. For your testing, just tie everything togher and use one guage, it's just a lot of couplers (that all need to not leak). that is if you are installing the manifolds later. But the same is true if your manifold/tubing is all hooked up to make one convoluted but connected "loop". You need to have an un-coiler for those 900 foot rolls!

 

[wedge40]

I will either rent the un-coiler or build one. Cha-ching.
The room on the right will be isolated from the rest of the building with wall. The bottom right may or may not have a way to isolate. It's suppose to be a wood working area, So I may hang sliding doors in that area to help keep things separate. Thanks for the reply.

Wedge

 

[rburke65]

I just installed my pex tubing and it went well without the "uncoiler". It wasn't that big of a hassle. I had 900' coils, which were footage marked, so I just cut it into 3 300' coils. It uncoiled easily. You can leave them in the sun to help you but not necessary.

 

[wedge40]

How far apart or close should the runs back to the manifold be? I'm using 6" right now, but wonder if I could go closer.

Wedge

 

[philjafo]

6 inchs should be fine for the runs back to the manifold but since they are the same temp as the loops you could seperate them the same as your loops. Get very good measurements for the open spot your leaving for the lift and then give yourself some extra room just in case the lift is different or if you change your mind and get a different lift. A slightly cool spot on the floor is way better then running a drill into your pex.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm not sure if anyone else has ordered from Blue Ridge, but I bought their High Flow manifolds and I cannot get them to hold pressure. They leak like a sieve. The pressure test kit leaks the worst. I've only heard good things about the Wirsbo manifolds. Right now I'd pay double to have working manifolds.

 

[wedge40]

I'm not sure if anyone else has ordered from Blue Ridge, but I bought their High Flow manifolds and I cannot get them to hold pressure. They leak like a sieve. The pressure test kit leaks the worst. I've only heard good things about the Wirsbo manifolds. Right now I'd pay double to have working manifolds.

Funny, I just placed my order with Blueridge yesterday. They didn't have any 4 port manifolds that I asked for so I bumped it up to a 5 port. Figured I can easily seal off extra ports, but kind of hard to just wave a magic wand and increase the number of ports on a manifold.

Not sure how long before before I pressure test my system, but I'll post on GJ at things get pulled together.

Wedge

 

[wedge40]

I saved about $400 by going with Blueridgecompany. But I'm not impressed with their layout of the pex. It's probably efficient use of the material, but the one area with the bathroom they run pipe where I would have avoided.
I might try another place and see if they actually look at the drawing and layout the pex and avoid certain things. If the program wasn't so darn expensive I'd get it myself.

Enclosed is what they sent me.

Are there anyplaces that will do a pex layout for a small fee? I'm thinking I could start a side business.


Wedge

 

[truckman5000]

Dont over think it. As you have a manifold, you can balance the system. Just say 1/2" pex at a 12" space.(12" works good because the squares in the metal are 6", so zip tie to every other) With loops of 350 feet. Double up on outer walls.

If theres areas of the pex touching, put some armorflex insulation there, same with the lines near the header. So the room the header is in dosnt over heat (looks like a bathroom)..

And remember, stay away from toilets. The heat will melt the wax ring/ seal every year.... And i mark out walls before running the pex, i dont run pipes under walls. Incase of a puncture of nail ect.

Obviously the size of the pipe, climate ect play a part. I was just giving an example what works around here well.

 

[truckman5000]

And i just saw your other sketching. Like you said you dont like the layout. And i dont either, obviously the floors in front of the bathrooms will over heat.

I have the programing, but only use it for the sizing ect. I use the common sense layout. But 75% of the time the program works.

With your layout theres no need to use 2 headers. 2= more money, in your case.

Just use the layout as a material order. And start running the pex, it is easy with 2 people. And if you screw up, zip ties are cheap.

 

[wedge40]

And i just saw your other sketching. Like you said you dont like the layout. And i dont either, obviously the floors in front of the bathrooms will over heat.

I have the programing, but only use it for the sizing ect. I use the common sense layout. But 75% of the time the program works.

With your layout theres no need to use 2 headers. 2= more money, in your case.

Just use the layout as a material order. And start running the pex, it is easy with 2 people. And if you screw up, zip ties are cheap.

Sorry already bought pex and manifold(s) as in two. And there is good reason for two manifolds, since I want to control the heat in the rooms independently and not as a proportion of the other part of the barn.

I've been continuing my layout and have been estimating the loop lengths.

Wedge

 

[wedge40]

Here's what I came up with using trial version of LoopCad.
Now I just have to get quote from Contractor. We are getting two days of rain so I he should have some free time.

Wedge

 

[pfctblu]

I just installed my pex tubing and it went well without the "uncoiler". It wasn't that big of a hassle. I had 900' coils, which were footage marked, so I just cut it into 3 300' coils. It uncoiled easily. You can leave them in the sun to help you but not necessary.

DO NOT DO THIS. Direct UV light can cause pin hole leaks down the road. AVOID THIS MESS.

Im not trying to knock the advice here, its just that alot of folks aren't aware about UV and PEX.

 

[stingry]

DO NOT DO THIS. Direct UV light can cause pin hole leaks down the road. AVOID THIS MESS.

Im not trying to knock the advice here, its just that alot of folks aren't aware about UV and PEX.

So you would have all PEX installed at night? Short term exposure to sunlight will not harm the PEX.

Cheers
Steve