What is your preferred PEX

[rvr6000]

I finally got around to running a cold water line to the kitchen sink (non-softened water) using 1/2" pex tubing. I just used a couple shark-bite fittings because I don't have any of the crimpers or other fastening tools.

So my question is, what is your preferred method of attaching PEX?

I was really impressed at how easy it is to work with this stuff and, I can't believe I'm saying this, I hope I can use it in the house again someday. Shark-bite fittings are not very cost effective though so if I find myself in a position where I'll be using it again it may be worthwhile investing in a crimping kit or something.

 

[chickenhauler]

I use the copper crimp rings. I bought the 1/2 and 3/4" crimpers and don't regret it one bit. I used them enough to pay for themselves in the first month, compared to compression or shark fittings. I do like shark fittings for emergency repairs, and transitioning from copper to pex though.

 

[toyotadriver]

I don't trust the sharkbite fittings but people do like them. I have the stainless crimp rings and have had good luck with them. Some people don't like the stainless rings either....so maybe it's a matter of personal preference.

Lowes sells the stainless crimper for about $40. I paid $80 for mine before Lowes started selling them.

 

[jhelrey]

Only issue I have had with stainless is some may break when you are crimping. They won't come off ever though.

 

[luvit]

i redid all the plumbing in a house in 2006 with pex. -- not a single leak.
i was able to support all 4 sizes of pex between two tools for $40 from ebay.
the 2nd tool supported 1" pex.

EDIT: http://www.pexcrimper.com/

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I really don't care for the pipe its way to stiff, but I use the copper crimp rings and I have yet to have a single leak.

 

[plumbstupid]

I use pex on a daily basis, I prefer the crimp rings. At 4 bucks or so per fitting, sharkbites would be too expensive.

 

[ishiboo]

Copper crimp rings are the way to go. I bought an inexpensive Apollo crimper, which allows me to do 1/2", 3/4" and 1" crimps with the same tool, just swap in some different dies. I have both 1/2" and 3/4" at the house and it's come in handy.

I use quality quick-connect fittings where appropriate, only in the basement due to convenience and a failure (very unlikely) would not cause major damage.

 

[darkk]

My son in law is a plumber so I use pex with the Viega Stainless crimp rings. I've installed plenty and I've never ever seen a stainless ring crack or fail.

 

[Jbullfrog]

Does anybody use the stretch fitted pex with the plastic rings? That is what our plumber has, but most of the general contractors use the copper ring style.

 

[toyotadriver]

Does anybody use the stretch fitted pex with the plastic rings? That is what our plumber has, but most of the general contractors use the copper ring style.

I've heard it's the best but I just can't trust it. I just don't trust it even though I have no particular reason not to. The tool to expand the tubing is stupidly expensive.

 

[plumbstupid]

I've used the expander rings and they work great. The tool is expensive, however Milwaukee is producing one as part of their 12 volt lineup, I think.

I checked the price and it seemed reasonable.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I borrowed the expander tool and did our shower that way. They hold great, but there is no second chance if you don't get the fitting pushed in all the way. I think the rings are a little easier to deal with, as there isn't a time constraint to get the connection put together.

 

[darkk]

The heating sysem in the original part of my house is done with the expander system. It appears to be holding up pretty well. The addition to our house is done with the stainless steel crimp rings. Both are good systems.

 

[suprvee]

When I did my kitchen plumbing repair / update, I went with PEX from Home Depot, and their copper ring crimp system. I used 1" PEX for the supply, which had the approximate inner diameter of 3/4" copper that I was replacing. I also picked up a cheap crimp tool from Home Depot, that handled all 4 ring sizes that I was using. The tool was a major PITA to work with; especially crimping the 1" copper. But it was well made, and did it's job. In the end, after all of the crimping was done, I did not have a single leak.

I've had the system operational for 8 months, and have had no issues so far.

 

[slip knot]

my plumber uses Rehau exclusively. Seems like a good system to me. My first one has been in service for 4yrs now W/O any issues at all.