Pex brand interchangeable??

[mc1984ss]

I'm getting ready to start plumbing in my basement addition. The entire house is plumbed with oex tubing and a manabloc manifold. The brand of tubing that the plumbers used I cannot seem to find to buy. Am I able to use a different brand pex tubing with this manifold? Everything after the manifold will be the same brand ( tubing and fittings)

Thanks in advance

 

[rbrock]

I have several different brands I used when plumbing my new house. I haven't seen any problems.

 

[Falcon67]

Fittings and crimp rings + tools are the only specific things I've seen.

 

[mcj115]

You should be able to mix brands of PEX, however there are different types (A, B, C) of PEX which are not directly interchangeable; there can be adaptable but they do not directly interchange.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... I've been using heat pex, 'n domestic water pex interchangeably,....

Haven't found any differences in brands,.....

 

[rlitman]

Picture of your Manabloc please.

From what I've seen, oxygen barrier PEX is generally not rated for potable water, and PEX for potable water that you buy in the box stores is generally PEX-B. Fittings for PEX-B or C will work with A, but expansion fittings for A will not work with B or C.

My manabloc has cinch fittings that use Oetiker rings, and that style connection will work with A, B, or C. Also compatible with A, B, and C are the compression style Manablocs (they'll have what looks like a plastic flare nut; a cone with a hex). If you have something that uses expansion fittings (look for a white plastic ring around the fitting), then you must use PEX A.

Regardless, brand name isn't all that important.

 

[Rickss96]

Is there a 'Beginners Guide to PEX' posted somewhere for us newbies? Or should I get one of those books that are usually carried at the big box stores?

 

[RPH]

Start here,
https://www.pexuniverse.com/pex-tubing-technical-specs

 

[mc1984ss]

Here is a picture of my manabloc, it uses a a compression type end to seal it. There is a metal piece that goes inside the pex at the manifold

 

[mc1984ss]

Hmm pic didn't come through let's try again

 

[mc1984ss]

Also here are a few pics of the pex that was used throughout the house, there's a ton of numbers on it so I'm not sure which one to look at, if I'm reading it correctly its pex A? Sorry I was having a tough time not getting shadows

 

[johnnyradiant]

That is a premium brand type A pex. If I was buying my tools today I would strongly consider their tools and fittings over Uponor. You can use Uponor fittings on that pipe or you can use crimp fittings. I'm too heavily invested and in my Uponor stuff to switch for the amount I use it. The benefit to the Rehau is that the tool pushes the fitting on so you don't have to wait to pressure test or go back on line after working on it. You won't find that stuff at a big box, if you want to stay with the same brand or Uponor you'll have to go to a plumbing wholesaler.

 

[rlitman]

I have the same exact type Manabloc, and love it. Yes, that will work with all types of PEX. I thought that only the 3/4” inlets had brass inserts though.

The A type you have is premium stuff, that you can find at the right plumbing supply, or order online. It’s your decision as to which type of PEX to go with. I can’t make that choice for you, since they will all work, but I can present your options.

I chose B for my drinking water, because B is the least likely to leave a plasticky odor in the water (A is made with a process that can do this; no that it necessarily does).

A is a little more flexible, and only A can be repaired if it kinks (using a little heat). Also, only A can be used on expansion fittings, which have the advantage of not reducing the internal diameter for flow purposes. However, with standard fittings, minimizing the number of fittings is more important. With a Manabloc, it is possible to only have a fitting at the manifold and stub out.

 

[mc1984ss]

I have done tons of research on several brands of tubing, fittings and crimpers. All the I.D.'s of the tubing are the same. If I'm reading the above comments correctly the fittings, and tubing are interchangeable. Agree? I have left over rehab tubing from the house construction but am unable to buy their fittings locally plus I have a menards crimper.

 

[rlitman]

Pretty much. PEX-AL-PEX has different dimensions, but normal PEX will all have both the same ID and OD. The OD will match CTS, which is why the same push in connectors (Sharkbite) that work on copper also work on PEX (also CPVC, but NOT PVC).

 

[Radix2]

Menards carries type A (expansion) pex and fittings. So not just plumbing suppliers.

Yes, everything interchanges except type A fittings require type A tubing since only type A tubing can be expanded for the larger diameter of type A fittings.

 

[Dagny]

The nature of pex is to always try to return to it's original shape. I like the expanding type for the full flow feature and it is constantly trying to get tighter. any that use a clamp are actually trying to get loose.