How to Install PEX Pipe | Repair PEX Pipe

Pex pipes are commonly found in three colors, red, blue, and white. Red PEX pipes are used for hot water, blue PEX pipes for cold water, and white PEX pipes are generally used for carrying both cold and hot water. In this article, we will learn about how to install PEX pipe and how to repair PEX pipes.

How to Install PEX Pipe?

PEX plumbing pipes are a great choice if you are considering installing pipes over new fixtures or for home water lines. PEX does not require glue or soldering to install.

In addition, PEX tubing comes in long rolls and requires less connecting fitting. This makes installing PEX easy and fast. Some professionals collect high charges, saying PEX pipes are very difficult to install.

But, if you are considering installing PEX pipe, below are the methods of installing PEX pipe that you should be aware of.

Must Read : What is PEX Pipe | PEX Pipe Used For | How to Measure PEX Pipe | PEX Pipe Installation Cost | Advantages And Disadvantages of PEX Pipe

1. Crimp Connection

1. Cut the tubing square, remove the burrs, and slide an appropriately sized copper crimp ring 2” through the end of the PEX tubing.
2. Push the fitting into the tube until the fitting touches the shoulder. Install the 1/8 ”to 1/4” crimp ring from the end of the tube. To prevent the ring from moving, squeeze the ring slightly with your fingers or pliers.
3. Center the crimping tool over the ring, hold the tool at 90 degrees to the fitting and close the jaws completely. Perform this procedure only once and only for a short time. If crimped more than once, you will have to cut the connection and re-process.
4. Push the gauge at a 90-degree angle squarely on the creamed ring. The “Go” slot should slide through and above the circumference of the crimp ring, and the “NO-GO” gauge should not slide over the circumference of the crimp ring. If one of these two tests fails, the joints may need to be cut and re-processed beforehand.

2. Sleeve Connection

1. Cut the tubing square, and remove the burrs.
2. Slide a suitable stainless steel sleeve to the end of the tube until the end of the PEX pipe is visible outside.
3. Push the PEX fitting into the pipe until the fitting touches the shoulder.
4. Hold the sleeve tool’s jaw at 90 degrees with the tool with the jaw in the center above the ring and close the tool’s jaw completely. Then verify the PEX tube install.
5. During the inspection, if a “W” shaped crimp can be seen through the view hole on the side of the pipe sleeve, it is a sign of a good connection.

3. Clamp Connection

1. Cut the tubing square, and remove the burrs.
2. Slide the appropriate stainless steel clamp ring 2” to the end of the PEX tubing.
3. Push the fitting into the tube until the fitting touches the shoulder. Install a 1/8 ”to 1/4” ring clamp from the end of the tube.
4. Locate the clamp by squeezing the open jaw of the clamp tool on the raised tab of the clamp, and check the PEX Tube Installation.

Must Read : Different Types of PEX Pipe | How to Make PEX Connections

How to Repair PEX Pipe?

 

If you are going to install PEX pipes in your home, you should know about the PEX pipe problems. PEX pipes have very few problems with pipe leaks, but you should be aware of their remedies. How to repair the kink of PEX pipes, and how to repair pinhole leaks of PEX pipes? Its information is given below.

Kink Repair in PEX Pipe

 

If you’ve had PEX pipe installed in your home, you may be familiar with the problem of kinks. A kink becomes a major problem in your PEX water line. The water pressure decreases, causing the water flow to decrease. This problem is very common with PEX pipes.

PEX pipes come in tube form and have very few joints, so where there are curved sections, the problem of developing kinks is greatly increased. Kinks can usually be fixed with a smooth plier and a hit gun, but if PEX pipes have severe or excessive kinks, you may need to replace the pipe.

1. Smooth Pliers

If you notice a normal kink in the PEX pipe used in your home, you don’t need to worry. You can fix the kink with the help of smooth pliers and round the tube back.

But, if this kink is on the curved part of the PEX tube, and you have repaired it with a smooth plier, the chances of the kink re-evolving increase.

You can prevent kinks by placing strong bend support on the curved part.

2. Hit Gun

Hit guns are used when the kink is very bad, and it is not possible to repair it with smooth pliers.

To repair the kink, straighten the PEX tube, then start heating the kink space in the PEX pipe with a hit gun. In 2 to 5 minutes, the PEX tube will become transparent, and the kink will disappear.

Then, let the pipe cool until it becomes opaque again. You can use cold water to cool the pipe.

Must Read : Four Ways to Repair PVC Pipe | How to Replace PVC Pipe | PVC Pipe Repair Without Cutting

Repair Pinhole Leak in PEX Pipe

 

If you are experiencing a pinhole leak in your PEX pipe, you need to know how to fix it. For the first option, you can use sealant or epoxy, which is easily available at most hardware stores. This is the easiest and fastest way to pipe repair.

But, if the leak is more severe, you may need to replace the section of the pipe that is leaking where the leak is happening. Do you know how to fix a pinhole leak in the PEX pipe? If not, this article will help you.

Below are the steps to fix leaks in PEX pipes.

1. Find the leak by turning on the water flow and checking where the water is coming from, and turn off the water flow again.
2. Remove the damaged/leaked section of PEX tubing using a PEX cutter.
3. Use a sharp knife to open the pipe and determine the size of the hole.
4. Cut a new piece of PEX tubing slightly longer than the required length.
5. Connect the tubing to the fitting using the crimp connection method shown above and check the connections with the go/no-go gauge.

A Matter of Concern for the Longevity of Pex Pipes:

1. Follow the installation instructions recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Remove the pipe from its original packet only when it is to be installed.
3. Do not use PEX pipes where the temperature and pressure are higher than the rating.
4. Do not use welds, glue, or adhesive on PEX tubes.
5. Do not apply petroleum or solvent-based paints to PEX tubes.
6. Do not install a PEX pipe between the tub, shower, valve, and tub spout.
7. Installing PEX tubing away from UV rays.

Must Read : How to Install CPVC Pipe | How to CPVC Leak Repair | CPVC Joint Leak Repair | Causes of CPVC Pipe Failure

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