Pex Crimp
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011The Power of PEX Tubing
R. Dodge Woodson/Lone Wolf Enterprises, Ltd.
The Power of PEX Tubing
What is so special about PEX tubing? Isn’t it just a plastic plumbing pipe? Wait a minute, is it Polybutylene tubing that I heard about so many class-action lawsuits about? Slow down. It is not the Polybutylene that took a bad rap a few years ago. This is a hybrid, and it is a cross-linked Polybutylene tubing. Yes, it is plastic, but it offers numerous advantages to metallic water-distribution piping systems.
Polybutylene is grey in color. PEX comes in white, blue, and red colors. This is advantageous in that cold water can be piped with blue tubing and hot water can be piped with red tubing. PEX can expand up to one-third of its own diameter before bursting when it is frozen. Compare this to copper tubing and you will see instant advantages.
Copper tubing, which is common in most homes that people now live in, is subject to chemical reactions that can create leaks. Acid is one such chemical reaction. Too much acid in copper tubing will create pinholes. The holes may be tiny, but the water damage can be disastrous. This is not a problem when PEX tubing is used.
PEX installations require less time for a plumber’s labor. Most of us know how much plumbers charge for their time, so this is a no-brainer. No flame is required to install PEX tubing. This is another difference between PEX and copper. Go with the PEX!
Check the price of copper. Compare it with PEX. Again, you have a no-brainer. PEX fittings are more expensive than copper fittings, but fewer are needed and the additional cost of the fittings doesn’t amount to much when you compare the cost of the tubing itself.
I used Polybutylene (PB) back in the 1970’s and for many years following with no problems. However, the installation procedure required some precise work. Personally, I feel that PB got a bad rap, but PEX is installed with essentially the same procedures and it is great.
As an old-school master plumber with over 30 years of experience, I am probably supposed to support copper, but I don’t. For general residential applications, PEX is the player. It is cheaper, faster to install, and in many ways it offers superior service.
PEX joints are made in two ways. There are crimping tools and crimp rings. This is the system that I use. Another system, and it is equally good, uses an expansion tool on the tubing that opens the tubing and then allows it to grip onto fittings. These are the two professional means of installation.
Homeowners can use compression fittings to make easy connections with PEX. All you need to make a leak-proof joint is two adjustable wrenches and a compression fitting. The tubing is cut professionally with a sharp cutting tool, but a homeowner can cut the tubing with a knife or a hacksaw. There are also new fittings available that allow homeowners to basically jab the pipe into the fitting for a solid fit.
If you want to repipe your house, repair a section of piping, or add to your plumbing system, I strongly recommend a PEX connection. The compression fittings that I spoke of earlier allow you to transition from copper to PEX. You can do it, and you don’t need super skills or pro tools. Go for it!
About the Author
R. Dodge Woodson and his team at Lone Wolf Enterprises, Ltd. (www.lonewolfent.net)are offering their services to the open market for the first time. Woodson has written over 100 books for major publishers, such as Simon & Shuster, McGraw-Hill, John Wiley & Sons, and others. He is acknowledged as a best-selling, internationally-known author. R. Dodge Woodson got his start writing dozens of magazine articles for such magazines as Outdoor Life. In addition to his personal writing, Woodson’s team has produced dozens upon dozens of books for major publishers.
R. Dodge Woodson’s writing style is conversational. He is skilled at taking complex subjects and making them reader friendly. Woodson has worked as a ghostwriter for celebrities, provided work-for-hire books to major publishers, and written his own titles.
If you are seeking professional writing and editorial services, Lone Wolf can deliver all elements of publishing from writing to editing to layout to proofreading to indexing, and more.
PEX Tubing Connections – Crimping
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(50) 1″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $342.00 |
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(500) 1/2″ PEX BARB Elbow – Brass Crimp Fitting ELL $275.00 |
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1″3/4″&1/2″ PEX CRIMPER COMPACT CRIMP TOOL BY MIL 3 USA $270.00 |
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Pex Stainless Steel 5/8″ Cinch Crimp Ring Case of 500 $234.99 |
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Pex Stainless Steel 1″ Cinch Crimp Ring Case of 500 $214.99 |
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(50) 3/4″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $200.00 |
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Pex Stainless clamp oetiker 1″ Cinch Crimp Ring 500 pc. $179.99 |
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Ridgid 1″ PEX Manual Crimp Tools (23463) $170.00 |
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3/4″& 1/2″ PEX CRIMPER COMPACT CRIMP TOOL BY MIL 3. USA $170.00 |
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Ridgid 1 in Pex Crimp Tool 23463 ASTM 1807 $169.99 |
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Ridgid 1″ PEX Manual Crimp Tools (23463) $163.80 |
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Pex Stainless Steel 3/8″ Cinch Crimp Ring Case of 500 $154.99 |
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Ridgid 1/2″ & 3/4″ Combo PEX Manual Crimp Tools (23468) $150.00 |
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Ridgid 1/2 & 3/4 Combo Pex Crimp Tool 23468 ASTM 1807 $149.99 |
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Pex Stainless oetiker 3/4″ clamp Crimp Ring 500 pc. LOT $149.99 |
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(20) 1″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $141.00 |
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(50) 1/2″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $137.00 |
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Ridgid 1/2″ PEX Manual Crimp Tools (23448) $131.00 |
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Ridgid 3/4″ PEX Manual Crimp Tools (23458) $131.00 |
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VANGUARD PEX 1 INCH CRIMP TOOL $122 OBO FREE SHIPPING!!!!!!!!!! $122.88 |
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15” Quick-change Multi-jaw Pex Plumbing Crimp-all Tool Kit from 3/8″-1″ $119.99 |
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Pex Stainless oetiker 3/4″ clamp Crimp Ring 500 pc. $119.99 |
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1/2, 3/8, 5/8, 3/4 & 1″ Crimp Tool Kit for PEX Tubing $119.95 |
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1″ PEX CRIMPER PLUMBING COMPACT CRIMP TOOL BY MIL 3 USA $110.00 |
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PEX ELBOW 1″ BRASS CRIMP FITTING Ell (50) $110.00 |
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15” Quick-change Multi-jaw Pex Plumbing Crimp-all Tool Kit from 3/8″-1″ $109.00 |
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2 Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ VILSTONE $105.99 |
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PEX GUY Multi Head Crimp Tool Kit for PEX Tubing 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 1″ Jaws $105.00 |
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* APOLLO * PEX MULTI-HEAD CRIMP TOOL KIT # 69PTKH0015K $105.00 |
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15″ PEX Crimp Tool $105.00 |
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2 Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2 & 3/4 50 Copper Rings GoNoGo Cutter 42 An $104.99 |
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2 Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2 & 3/4 50 Copper Rings GoNoGo Cutter Angle $104.99 |
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2 16″ Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ Red $99.99 |
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Watts Pex Wpcatk-1 “crimp-all” Crimping Tool Kit With 3/8-inch To 3/4-inch $99.99 |
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2 16″ Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ $99.99 |
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(50) 1″ PEX ELBOW- BRASS CRIMP FITTING Ell $99.99 |
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2 Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ Straight $99.99 |
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Pex Stainless Steel 1/2″Cinch Crimp Ring Oetiker 500 pc $99.99 |
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2 Crimping Pex Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ with GoNoGo Gauge $99.99 |
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(50) 1″ PEX ELBOW- BRASS CRIMP FITTING Ell $97.99 |
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Zurn Pex Crimp Multi Head Tool Kit W/ Removal Tool & Case ~FREE SHIPPING~ $96.00 |
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Ridgid 1″ PEX Manual Crimp Tools (23463) Icludes GO/NO GO guage $95.00 |
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QEST QCRT2TN CTS LARGE PEX CRIMP TOOL 3/8″ NEW! – AUTHORIZED DEALER $90.99 |
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1 1/4″ Pex Crimper Tool Pex Tool Copper Ring crimp 125B $89.99 |
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APOLLO 69PTKH0015K 4-IN-1 PEX MULTI-HEAD CRIMP TOOL KIT AUTHORIZED DEALER NEW! $89.99 |
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3 Pex Crimper 3/8 1/2 3/4 Tool & 1-5/8 Ratchet Cutter Gonogo Pipe Crimp Plumbing $89.95 |
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3 Pex Crimper 3/8 1/2 3/4 Tool & 1-5/8 Ratchet Cutter Gonogo Pipe Crimp Plumbing $89.90 |
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3/8″ & 1/2″ & 3/4″ Pex Crimper w/ Cutter Crimp Crimping Tools Copper Ring Gonogo $89.90 |
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(20) 3/4″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $87.00 |
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Cash Acme 23100 pex ring crimp tool crimper $85.00 |
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15” Quick-change Multi-jaw Pex Plumbing Crimp-all Tool Kit from 3/8″-3/4″ $85.00 |
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3/4″ PEX CRIMPER PLUMBING COMPACT CRIMP TOOL BY MIL 3 $85.00 |
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1/2″ PEX CRIMPER PLUMBING COMPACT CRIMP TOOL BY MIL 3 $85.00 |
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PEX CINCH CRIMP CRIMPING TOOL & 175 1/2 3/4 1 SS CLAMPS $79.99 |
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(100) “1/2 ” PEX TEE– BRASS CRIMP FITTINGS- FREE SHIP $78.00 |
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1″, 3/4″, 1/2″ Pex Tool, Your Choice, Copper Crimp tool $77.99 |
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(100) 1/2 ” PEX TEE– BRASS CRIMP FITTING- FREE SHIP $77.99 |
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Kobalt Pex Crimp/Cinch Tool with indicator light and pouch $75.00 |
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(100) 3/4 PEX ELBOW- BRASS CRIMP FITTING $75.00 |
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2 PEX Crimping Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ Go No Go $74.99 |
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2 Pex Crimper 1/2 3/4 Tool & 1-5/8 Ratchet Cutter Gonogo Pipe Crimp Plumbing Set $74.95 |
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2 Pex Crimper & 1-5/8″ Ratchet Cutter Crimp Tool 1/2″ & 3/4″ Gonogo Clamp Tubing $74.95 |
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2 Pex Crimper 1/2 3/4 Tool & 1-5/8 Ratchet Cutter Gonogo Pipe Crimp Plumbing Set $74.95 |
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2 X PEX Crimper Crimp Tool 1/2″ & 3/4″ w/ Gonogo Cutter $74.90 |
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2 PEX Crimper Crimp Plumping Tool 1/2″ & 3/4″ w/ Cutter $74.90 |
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2 Pex Crimper 1/2 3/4 Tool & 1-5/8 Ratchet Cutter Gonogo Pipe Crimp Plumbing Set $74.90 |
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2 Pex Crimper Cutter Combo Crimp Crimping Plumbing 1/2 3/4 Go No Go Angle Gauge $74.90 |
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(10) 1″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $70.00 |
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2 PEX Crimping Crimper Crimp Tools 1/2″ & 3/4″ $69.99 |
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PEX GUY 1/2″ & 3/4″ Combo Crimp Tool Kit for PEX Tubing $69.95 |
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1/2″ & 3/4″ CRIMPING PEX CRIMPER CRIMP 2 PLUMBING TOOLS $66.99 |
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(20) 1/2″ PEX Ball Valves, Brass, Crimp Style Full Port $66.00 |
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(25) “3/4 x 3/4 x 1 ” PEX TEE-BRASS CRIMP $65.00 |
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(100) 1/2″ PEX BARB Elbow – Brass Crimp Fitting ELL $65.00 |
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APOLLO PEX MULTI-HEAD CRIMP TOOL KIT $64.99 |