Repipe Articles

Defective Kitec pipes can really cause some major flooding problems in your house. It has been reported that Kitec piping, manufactured by IPEX has been the focus of various lawsuits around the world because it has been reported several times to have caused leaks and water damage in people’s houses. If Kitec piping is installed at your place of residence, and you are experiencing these problems then do not worry, Sacramento Repipe got you covered. We will repair and repipe your house with quality copper pipes. You just need to contact us as soon as possible before the matters get out of your hands.

How Defective Kitec pipes Come About

According to people who had the defective Kitec piping in their homes, these pipes started to corrode from inside since the water that flowed inside them started to remove the zinc from brass fittings. Scientifically this is known as dezincification and leads to leaks and reduced water in the kitec pipes. Experts from Sacramento Repipe understand this and they will surely replace your pipes with corrosive free pipes. This will ensure that water pressure in your home remains high and your pipes do not corrode to leak water out.

When the pipes in your house corrode, they not only damage your property with an in-house flood, but the leaks have the potential to completely damage your house’s plumbing system and make it hard and difficult for some appliances in your house to get water.

Do not wait until your home is ruin by defective kitec pipes while there are experts who can help you. The professionals at Sacramento Repipe are well equip to handle this kind of scenario. So, wait no more and contact us today for all your repipe needs.

Copper Tubing

Today, copper tube for the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning application is available in drawn and annealed tempers and in a range of wall thicknesses and diameters.
There are two basic types of copper tubing: rigid copper and soft copper. Copper tube is available in three wall thicknesses designated as type K, L, M and DWV, and are marked in accordance with ASTM B 88 standard as: type K, green; type L, blue; type M, red; and type DWV, yellow or light orange. The outside diameter of those tubing is identical.

Specifications established by ASTM require that copper tube has a minimum of 99.9 percent pure copper.

Soft copper tubing is the great choice for the areas where it is necessary to go around some obstacles, because the copper pipes could be easily bent to follow all the angles at which the joints are kept to a minimum.

There is a number of ways to join copper tube, most widely used are soldering, pressed connection or compression. Also, this is the only type of tube, which can be connected with flare connection.

Soldering connection

Pressed connection

Compression

Rigid copper tubing is mostly used for water lines and for connection of gas appliances. These tubes are connected the same way as the soft copper tube.

Application of copper tube.

Copper pipes are convenient for cold and hot water distribution, waste water systems, distribution of gas for households, in pipelines for liquid fuels but also for HVAC systems for refrigerant lines
Not all copper tubing is intended for drinking water application, so if you are using copper tubes to supply drinking water make sure that it is intended for that application. NSF certification according to NSF/ANSI 61 guarantees suitability of such tubes.

Advantages of copper tube.

Copper pipes have many advantages. Copper is an ecological, natural material, known for antibacterial properties from ancient times, so that in the pipes can not reach the bacteria growth. It is suitable both for the cold and for the hot water. If there is a sudden change in water temperature, copper will remain intact.

Contact Sacramento Repipe for more details and questions.

Types of underfloor heating systems

Radiant floor heating is the oldest form of central heating and can be done in two ways:
– Hydronic systems – pumps warm water through piping under the floor (“wet system”)
Hydronic underfloor heating system will cost about a third more than a radiator system.
– Electric systems – electric coils placed under the floor (“dry system”)
Electric underfloor heating generally costs less to install, but is more expensive to run.

Hydronic systems

Hydronic systems use water or a mix of water and anti-freeze such as propylene glycol as the heat transfer fluid that is circulated between the floor and the boiler. Various types of pipes are available and they are generally made from polyethylene including PEX, PEX-Al-PEX and PERT. Older materials such as Polybutylene (PB) and copper or steel pipe are still used in some locales or for specialized applications.

Hydronic system adventages

The advantage of this method of heating is that it is cheaper for heating the whole house, and there are several ways to heat water:
Gas-fired boiler
Oil-fired boiler
Kerosene, gas or solar water heater
Maintenance for a hydronic system is minimal, the boiler needs an annual check-up, but most modern pumps use water to lubricate the parts and are low-maintenance.
Underfloor heating is commonly installed with stone, ceramic or terracotta tile floors, but can also be installed with wood, linoleum or carpet.

Pipe layout strategy and heat distribution

Meandering produces relatively uneven surface temperature distribution (for small and subordinate spaces and border zones).

Placing pipes in the spiral (helical) layout, results in a uniform surface temperature over the entire room area, which has a positive effect on a subsequent change in the furnishings.

Tichelmann system is considered good solution in terms of energy efficiency – even temperature distribution. The Tichelmann principle is a simple way for balancing the hydronic system.

Based on the same arrangement of supply and return lines, it is easy to construct. It does not require additional control and has no moving parts that can cause defects or faults. This increases the operational safety of the plant.

The Tichelmann principle in simple words means that pipes are arranged in such manner that cold and hot water travel same length for each section on every floor.

Installation practices

A pipes packed closer together (less than 5”) is recommended to achieve a higher heat output at the edges to exterior walls or windows (especially for floor-level windows). This measure is intended to reduce the cold air, an important comfort criterion to meet.

Plastic pipes should always be endless so laid without joints. A minimum bending radius is observed so that the pipes are not kinked.

Materials

PEX-AL-PEX composite pipe shall comply with ASTM F 1281.
PE-AL-PE composite pipe shall comply with ASTM F 1282.

Composite piping shall be marked at intervals by 5 ft. (1.5 m) with at least the following:

(a) ASTM F 1281 (PEX-AL-PEX) or ASTM F 1282 (PE-AL-PE);
(b) Material type – PEX-AL-PEX or PE-AL-PE;
(c) Code of material and manufacturing date.
(d) Manufacturer’s trademark or name;
(e) Piping;
(f) Mark of an acceptable certification agency;
(g) Pressure ratings for water and the temperature for which the temperature rating is valid;

The elevated temperature and pressure ratings for PEX-AL-PEX and PE-AL-PE in accordance with ASTM F 1281 and ASTM F 1282 are:

Thermal Expansion

Expansion rate for PEX-AL-PEX and PE-AL-PE is 1.56 in. (39.6 mm) per 100 ft. (30 m) of tube per 100°F (55°C) change in temperature. No accommodation for thermal expansion is required.

Pressure Relief Valves

PEX-AL-PEX piping used for temperature or pressure relief valve drain lines shall be graded to the outlet end and shall be supported by a maximum of 8 ft. 2 in. (2,489 mm) interval horizontally. Vertical piping shall have a mid-story guide and shall be supported at every floor.

Heated Joints

When soldered and welded joints should not use an open flame.

Working Pressure and Temperature

Long term working pressures for the PEX-AL-PEX shall not exceed a maximum of 125 psi (860 kPa) and the long term working temperature shall not exceed 180°F (82°C). Long term working pressures for the PE-AL-PE shall not exceed a maximum of 100 psi (690 kPa) and the long term working temperature shall not exceed 180°F (82°C).

Water Heater Connections

PEX-AL-PEX or PE-AL-PE piping shall not be installed within the first eighteen inches (18) (457 mm) of piping connected to a water heater.

PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene.
PEX-AL-PEX. Cross-linked polyethylene-aluminum-cross-linked polyethylene.

All new installations of PEX pipe shall be flushed twice over a period of at least one week in the way that the pipe system shall be first flushed for at least 10 minutes and then filled and allowed to stand for no less than 1 week. If the system is used earlier than one week after the fill date, the water must be allowed to run for at least two minutes prior to use for human consumption.

The building official shall require that the contractor provide written certification that they will comply with the flushing procedures and shall not give final permit approval of any PEX plumbing installation unless they find that the material has been installed in compliance with the requirements of the code, to flush and tag the system. If contractor or subcontractor found to have failed to comply with the PEX flushing requirements shall be subject to the penalties in Health and Safety Code.

Water Heater Connectors. Flexible metallic water heater connectors or reinforced flexible water heater connectors connecting water heating to the piping system shall be in accordance with the applicable standard. Copper or stainless steel flexible connectors shall not exceed 24 inches (610 mm). PEX, PEX-AL-PEX, PE-AL-PE, or PE-RT tubing shall not be installed within the first 18 inches (457 mm) of piping connected to a water heater.

PEX Plastic Tubing and Joints. PEX plastic tubing and fitting joining methods shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and shall comply with Section 1.1 and Section 1.2. All PEX pipe installed in California must provides at least 30-day UV protection.

Fittings

Installation and use of PEX tubing shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s standards. PEX piping shall not be used for any application that would result in noncompliance with any provisions of the California Building Standards Code.

PEX-AL-PEX Plastic Tubing and Joints

PEX-AL-PEX is not adopted for use in potable water supply and distribution systems.

Mechanical Joints

Crimp joints for crimp insert fittings shall be joined to PEX-AL-PEX pipe by the compression of a crimp ring around the outer circumference of the pipe, forcing the pipe material into annular spaces formed by ribs on the fitting.
[BSC] PEX-AL-PEX is not adopted for use in potable water supply and distribution systems.

Compression Joints

[BSC] PEX-AL-PEX is not adopted for use in potable water supply and distribution systems.

Installation standard for composite pex-al-pex hot and pe-al-pe cold water distribution systems

This standard shall govern the installation of composite piping in potable hot and cold water distribution systems within and under buildings and shall apply only to PEX-AL-PEX and PE-AL-PE piping meeting the requirements of ASTM F 1281 and ASTM F 1282 and fittings meeting the requirements of ASTM F 1974.
Note: The following sections of the Uniform Plumbing Code shall apply to composite PEX-AL-PEX and PE-AL-PE tubing.

309.0 Workmanship
312.0 Protection of Piping, Materials, and Structures
Chapter 6 Water Supply and Distribution
605.0 Joints and Connections
605.17.2 Plastic Pipe to Other Materials
Chapter 2* Definitions.
ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
IAPMO International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical
Officials
PEX-AL-PEX Crosslinked Polyethylene-Aluminum-Crosslinked
Polyethylene
PE-AL-PE Polyethylene Aluminum-Polyethylene
UPC Uniform Plumbing Code as published by IAPMO

* The first three numbers refer to the corresponding section of the UPC.
2.0 Product Requirements.
2.1 Materials and Fittings.
2.1.1 Materials. Materials shall comply with the following requirements:

Materials / ASTM Standard
Crosslinked Polyethylene-Aluminum-Crosslinked
Polyethylene (PEX-AL-PEX) F 1281
Polyethylene-Aluminum-Polyethylene (PE-AL-PE) F 1282
Metal Insert Fittings for PEX-AL-PEX and
PE-AL-PE composite pipe F 1974

Limitations that come with a PEX tubing

Every solution, comes with its limitations, PEX is not exception. When you read all the limitations, you might think that there are a lot to take into account when installing PEX tube.
But, when you make a long story short you need to make sure to respect pressure and temperature ratings, avoid sunlight, mechanically and chemically aggressive environment that can damage PEX working performance.

Before installation

Before start installation , inspect you tube for any signs of o not use tubing with cuts, cracks, gouge, abrasions, evidence of a chemical attack, or tubing which has been crushed or kinked. If you find these or other defects do not use such tube in your installation.

If you are going to bury tubes in a wall or ceiling, check your local codes, areas don’t allow stab-in fittings to be concealed.

Temperature, pressure and UV exposure

Although PEX is more resistant to freezing temperatures and users report that it can withstand freezing, it designed is not for outside use. One of the reasons is PEX’s vulnerability toward continuous UV exposure.

Vulnerability toward continuous UV exposure is one of the reasons why PEX is not allowed to be used in swimming pool systems.
Since PEX is usually rated at 180oF at 100 psi (82° C), keep tubing at 18 inches vertically or 6 inches horizontally from sources of high heat, such as recessed light fixtures, flue gas vents, or heating appliances.

Since with decrease of pressure temperature limit goes up, limit of 180oF might be higher when used with lower pressure ratings (e.g. water heater – relief line). Advice is always check manufacturer’s recommendations for higher operating temperatures at lower pressures.

PEX mechanical damage precautions

When installing make sure not to allow tubing to come in permanent contact with commonly encountered construction materials, that might chemically or mechanically deteriorate working properties of PEX tubing.

Do not bend PEX tubing tighter than the following minimum recommended bending radius.

Use hangers, straps, rigid sleeves to assure that PEX tube not get damaged during exploitation due to mechanical contact with rough surfaces.

PEX chemical damage precautions

Here are some common construction materials that you should avoid to be in contact with PEX tube:
• Pipe thread sealing compounds
• With exception of: water soluble, gypsum-based caulking or other sealants approved by the PEX tube manufacturer, Fire wall penetration sealing compounds should be securely separated from PEX tube.
• Fuel oils, cutting oils, asphaltic paint, kerosene, benzene, gasoline, solvents, asphaltic road materials, acetone, toluene, and/or xylene and other petroleum-based materials or sealants should be secured from contact with PEX tube.
Second and more important reason, than already mentioned UV exposure vulnerability, for PEX unsuitability for swimming pool systems is that the chlorine levels in pools tend to fluctuate considerably and generally hover right at or just over the maximum allowable levels for PEX tubing.

Do not place any PEX tubing in heavily contaminated soils or other heavily contaminated environments.

Store fittings in containers that are free of oil, grease, lubricants, solder flux, or other
chemicals and away from corrosive atmospheres (e.g. Ammonia).

After the installation

If you have PEX piping, you should have a rodent control plan. Rodents can and do chew though the pipe.

Other thing need to pay attention regarding the PEX is an environment risks. This type of tube cannot be recycled as easily as copper and may produces toxic smoke when it burns.

PEX tools

Whether you are a DIY working on small repair or a professional engaged on large project, there are several available tools. Each tool utilizes a specific set of fittings and rings compatible to that tool.

PEX CLAMP STANDARD

The most simple and most commonly used by DIYs is the PEX CLAMP STANDARD, this system is also popular with professionals in certain areas of the US. Clamp tool is compatible with crimp fittings and utilizes SS clamps to secure a connection. This is most easiest system to use and the most economical.

PEX CRIMPING STANDARD

To work with PEX tubing using the CRIMPING STANDARD, three basic tools are needed: the main crimping tool(s), a pipe cutter, and a de-crimping tool.

The pipe cutter is used to make a clean, square cut before inserting the tubing into the fitting.
The main crimping tool can be purchased in several configurations from various vendors. One popular model has the capability to crimp either 1/2″ or 3/4″ PEX tube, while another uses interchangeable crimp heads to work with any of the PEX tube sizes.

A de-crimping tool is designed to remove the copper crimp ring from the tube and fitting. Various designs all work by cutting the copper ring. Fittings can be easily re-used.

Other available tools, mostly used by professionals in the United States are expander tool and press tool.

PEX attachment tools

PEX to wood attachment tools are used to attach PEX Tubing to wood. Manual or pneumatic clip guns are used to secure PEX Tubing to the surface. These types of installation are common in plumbing and radiant heat systems.

Foam Staplers can be used to secure tubing to foam board or tarp insulation (polystyrene, styrofoam, polyurethane etc). Foam Staplers utilize plastic foam staples and are compatible with PEX ranging in size from 3/8 up to 5/8 inches.

PEX to wire tool quickly attaches PEX tubing to wire mesh for PEX plumbing and radiant heat applications.

Tubing installation practices

There are several types of PEX plumbing systems: Trunk and Branch, Home-Run and Remote Manifold.

Trunk and Branch (T&B) is performed using a main trunk line to supply various branch take-offs to specific outlets. It utilizes tees to branch tubing.

Home – Run systems utilizes use of manifolds. Fixtures are fed from dedicated piping that runs directly and unbroken from central manifolds.

Remote Manifold system is running hot and cold lines to some location in close proximity to multiple fixtures (e.g. bathroom group). At this point a smaller remote manifold is installed on each trunk line.

Don’t pull it tight. PEX expands and contracts more than copper, so don’t stretch it tight. Let it droop a little between fasteners. On long runs, it’s a good idea to install expansion / contraction loop as shown to allow for contraction. Another advantage of the loop is that if you mess up and need a little extra tubing, you can steal it from the loop.

Also, since PEX moves as it expands and contracts, make sure to drill oversize holes through studs or joists so it can slide easily or use rigid sleeve.

Use plastic hangers and straps, but metal supports which are designed for use with plastic tubing can be used.

If you are going to bury tubes in a wall or ceiling, prepare trench bottom to be solid with no hollows, lumps, rocks that could damage the tubing.

Solder copper transition fittings onto the copper pipe and allow cooling before connecting to PEX tubing.

Topics:

– PEX tube fittings and tools.

– PEX grading, sizes and color-coding.

PEX tube fittings and tools.

PEX is generally considered a good choice, especially if need to repair or repipe your existing copper or galvanized water lines. One of the reasons for this is low price and ease of use when connecting PEX tubes together or with brass and other types of pipes.

Materials used for PEX fittings are brass but there are also available fittings manufactured of stainless steel, plastic and bronze.

Crimp/clamp PEX fittings

Crimp/clamp fittings are the most common and affordable type of PEX fittings.

These fittings require a crimp tool, which uses copper crimp rings or a clamp with a stainless steel clamp ring to secure a successful connection.

Compression PEX Fittings

Compression style fittings do not require any special PEX tool. A compression fitting consists of three parts: a compression nut, a compression ring, and a compression insert. Major advantage of compression fittings is their ease of use. Compression fittings are a good choice when a repair or small number of connections is required and you want to avoid purchasing an expensive tool.

Push PEX Fittings

Similar to compression fittings, push fittings do not require any special PEX tools or rings to make a connection with tubing. A special composite mechanism securely locks and seals the pipe, preventing it from leaking or popping out of the fitting.

Expansion PEX Fittings

Expansion style fittings can be used only with PEX-tubing and are not compatible with other PEX tubing types. Expansion fittings require expander tool and sleeves.

Press PEX Fittings

Press fittings are installed using a PEX press tool and press sleeves. Press fittings are growing in popularity with professionals.

PEX grading, sizes and color-coding.

The PEX tube comes with 20-25 years warranty and is commonly manufactured in 3/8″, 1/2″, 5/8″, 3/4″ and 1″ sizes, with three grades for water PEX-A, PEX-B and PEX-C. Difference between PEX-A, PEX-B and PEX-C is in manufacturing process, more precisely in cross-linking method used. These grades are used only to identify the manufacturing process (cross-linking method used) and give very slight differences in quality and performance ratings. The tube will be marked on the outside to show which codes it meets.

Which grade to choose?
Some of important facts of each grade, which need to take into consideration when choosing grade for your project are:
PEX-A being slightly more flexible, it is in usage for 50 years and have few reported issues. One of downsides for PEX-A is chemical leaching – from 50% to over 200% higher than PEX-B. PEX-A also comes is as much as 3 times higher price than other two options.
PEX-B is overall best choice for common applications, in terms of the performance and price. For 40 years of usage there are no know issues.

While PEX-C may be suitable for hydronic and radiant heating use, it offers little practical advantage over PEX-A and PEX-B grade.

Before extrusion, the High Density Polyethylene – HDPE are usually pigmented to yield color-coded pipe. The red and blue colors are used to help plumbers to distinguish between hot and cold water supply lines. Other common PEX tubing colors are unpigmented, white and black.

Topics:

– What is flexible PEX tube?

– Application of PEX tube.

– What are the advantages of PEX tube in relation to other solutions?

What is flexible PEX tubing?

PEX pipe is polyethylene tubing that provides an excellent choice for plumbing. It’s made from cross-linked High Density Polyethylene – HDPE. Origin of PEX is in the late 1950s when scientists worked on the structure of polyethylene (PE) to strengthen the connections between the polymer chains with the goal of increasing the thermal stability. Flexible PEX tube is manufactured by extrusion and comes stored on suitable for storage and transport.

Application of PEX tube.

Some of the most common areas of applications are water supply piping, radiant heating systems, hydronic systems etc. During the past period, PEX tube has made its way in residential and commercial plumbing applications, replacing copper and other metal pipes as well as a rigid plastic pipe made of PVC and other plastic materials.

What are the advantages of PEX tube in relation to other solutions?

Some of the advantages of using PEX is its scale and chlorine resistance as well as low probability to develop pinholes. Also, since it is a plastic material it is completely corrosion resistant.

High flexibility of PEX tube in relation to the copper tube makes it faster to install than metal or rigid plastic pipe, it also requires fewer connections and fittings. Flexibility is important property when doing repiping on worn piping installations requires the ability to navigate around obstacles.

Another important advantage of PEX tube in relation to other common used pipes is price. On average PEX tubing cost only about 30% of the price of equivalent copper pipe.
In combination with push-fit fittings, manifolds, valves and other elements, PEX pipe offers the fastest way to plumbing in any suitable application.
Techniques used for PEX tubing installation like compression or stab-in fittings or cinch or crimp rings are easier to apply in comparison to sweating copper, less toxic too.