PEX fittings are used to join the pliable polyethylene pipes employed in PEX water plumbing systems. flexible PEX pipes are a low price, problem free alternative to metal or plastic arrangements. You can avoid the problems of corroding and scaling when you utilize a PEX system. Altogether PEX water plumbing arrangements are a vast improvement over earlier schemes that use copper or rigid plastic pipes.
The main advantages of PEX tubing is its ability to stay pliable in cold temps, its resistance to scale build-up and erosion and its lower cost compared to metal or rigid pipes. PEX tubing is less pricy than copper pipe, requires less time to install and necessitates fewer fittings.
PEX tubing is wrapped in reels. Because spools weigh less than cut metal or plastic pipes, they are easier to store and cost less to ship. Tubing can be unrolled from the spools with no need for coupling fittings. Installing is much quicker and less pricey when it does not involve the running of pipe.
There are a number of connection systems some of which are proprietary. But basically the fitting is inserted either over or into the tube and a ring is pinched over the tube or fittings. Rings can be constructed of plastic, copper or stainless steel. There are proprietary connection systems which require particular tools and fittings.
The tools you will use when installing PEX are a PEX pipe cutter, a main crimping tool and a de-crimping tool. The PEX pipe cutter comes in different sizes for 1/2″ and 3/4″ size pipes. Rings are crimped utilising the crimping tool. The de-crimping tool is employed for removing rings from tubes or fittings.
Fittings are normally made of brass, although there are some built of bronze, copper and engineered plastic fittings for PEX plumbing. There are distinctive ridges on the “insert” part of the fitting. The ridges, the PEX tube and the pinched copper ring all work together to form a high-pressure seal.
Water plumbing systems that take advantage of PEX tubing and PEX fittings have certain benefits. The materials are less expensive than metal and plastic pipes. Less fittings are needed. The Installation process is easier and quicker. Your system will never corrode or burst so it will last longer with less potential troubles.