Support for PEX on ceiling?

[Innovate1]

I am planning to run pex across the ceiling to a faucet on the far side. My ceiling is white steel. Wondering if these would be adequate to hold it up. I could use the screws for the tin every truss (2 ft spacing). The white color would blend in with the white ceiling.

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/electrical-tools-accessories/wiring-fasteners/gardner-bender-reg-3-4-plastic-cable-clamp/ppc-1575/p-1444431019467-c-6448.htm?tid=-1&ipos=4

 

[sixty4]

Should be fine pex calls for every 32" so your good in my code book.

 

[crazy wheel]

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Uponor-...=dsa&msclkid=eec909710f0213d762f256ff3fb71312


Well nevermind, I just noticed this has been discontinued.

 

[Bert_]

Clic straps work good

 

[Kaizen]

Eh. It will droop. Why. It just run above ceiling with insulation?
Or if the ribs are big enough take it down halfway and run in the rib.
Last option run in solid conduit that won’t droop or stand out




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[Zmann]

Solid conduit with pex ? hmm or hey maybe run pex in inside copper conduit ( see what i did there ?) but don't actually put the pex inside and solder the joints


lol

 

[Innovate1]

Eh. It will droop. Why. It just run above ceiling with insulation?
Or if the ribs are big enough take it down halfway and run in the rib.
Last option run in solid conduit that won’t droop or stand out




Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

I suppose I could run it above ceiling. I figured inside was better since crossing trusses would put it about 4" above the ceiling but I will have about 16 inches of insulation and be keeping the place heated so that would probably be fine. Might be able to run it in a rib - will have to check the size.

 

[kj_mustang]

I would keep it inside. I have a run of pex in my house attic that goes to my rain head shower. It is buried inside about 15" of blown insulation. It froze the first winter. I put foam insulation around it too and it still froze.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Run the PEX inside PVC- or just use PVC.

 

[imjustdave]

Any pipe in an unheated area without water movement insulated or not will freeze.
Assuming it's cold enough outside.

Heat does rise, so one on the ceiling will be warmer. Above the ceiling in the attic space would look cleaner to me, I doubt the temp difference between the two would make a difference. If you have blown in insulation PEX will quickly settle to the bottom.

I'm assuming your concerned with aesthetics.
I think those clips would work but I suspect to keep a clean line you will need them every 18 - 24 inches depending on the diameter of the pex and even then might still look wavy. I would consider 3/4 over 1/2 just to get nicer appearance if that is important to you.

Most commercial Warehouse buildings in my area are concrete walls, and floor zero insulation except some simple batts usually in the roof. They have a simple blast heater set to 50 up near the rafters to provide supplemental heat for the fire sprinklers, it's not a big heater and it for sure doesn't heat the entire building, just the top 5-10 feet of space for the sprinklers.

Option that I see.

copper Looks good easy to keep clean lines. Won't expand if frozen.
PEX - hard to install in clean lines. can expand some if frozen
SLeeve options - easy to install, pain to fish PEX in.

If you can go above I would, otherwise I would use those clips.

 

[iced98lx]

could possibly do a PexALPex run for that portion and get the rigidity to stay up on the ceiling easier and could easily order it in white if the looks are what you're worried about. Does require special prep/fittings.

 

[nadogail]

Would you consider concealing the PEX in a surface raceway? Possibly made from wood, something like a decorative beam.

 

[Firebrick43]

Or just run copper across the ceiling with pex adapters instead of running inside of another product and the total costing what copper would anyways. Solder it on the floor, remove some of the tin screws nearby where your running your hangers and temporarily install some eyelets and have some family/friends over to lift on a string to pull the whole(or half if 60’+) up and you secure it to the preinstalled hangers.

 

[gregs]

1/2" PEX will fit inside of scd 120 1/2" pvc pipe (thin wall) and the white color will blend into your white ceiling. With 1/2 clamps every 2' I dont think it would sag at all. If you are using pex off a roll its hard to get it straight anyhow and the pvc will hide that. If you are using straight sticks I am not sure the couplers will fit inside though depending on what type of clamps you are using. And the pvc is cheap, around $2 a stick for 10' length.

 

[akdiesel]

Depending on what size pex tubing you use you can also use Unistrut / superstrut to support it. The opening of strut 7/8” and will accept 3/4” pex tubing.
I use strut to hide cable and air lines as well.
Attach the strut to the ceiling ceiling, put the pex into the strut and put the plastic or metal strip that snaps into the opening of the strut. The closure strips hold tight and can support cable and water lines when installed facing down.

Strut. https://www.unistrut.us/product-details/p1000

Closure strip. https://www.neobits.com/eaton_elect...IpIbxpv6s7_RbOOclVj5-pWmIwZDxRSRoCBi4QAvD_BwE

 

[johnnyradiant]

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Uponor-...=dsa&msclkid=eec909710f0213d762f256ff3fb71312


Well nevermind, I just noticed this has been discontinued.

Uponor still lists it in the product catalogs and design guides.

 

[crazy wheel]

Uponor still lists it in the product catalogs and design guides.

We order some (and used it) about year ago.
The link says discontinued Jan 2014

 

[matt_i]

Run the PEX inside PVC-

I like this idea as the most economical. EMT would work too.

You could also do a "cable tray" of wood or metal construction. Strut channel works but is more expensive.

 

[dcg9381]

Run the PEX inside PVC- or just use PVC.

I ran electrical PVC in my foundation and have PEX running through it. 1" electrical conduit is pretty "tight" on 3/4" PVC, FYI... So I'd size up. 1/2" PEX through 1" PVC no problem - I've got 2 x 90s and about a 40' span...

 

[LS6 Tommy]

We run LOTS of non metallic lines in the plant. Lay it in galvanized sheetmetal trays. They look like 90° sheetmetal angle. Don't know a brand name or system.

Tommy