Replacing pex water line...Any advice or hints

We used sharkbite fitting in the motorhome. 2 years so far and not any problems. DH was impressed with them - was skeptical at first but guy at small hardware where we got them said -- try them - if they leak, I'll give you your money back, but I guarantee you won't be coming back. That convinced him to try them and now that's what he would use if ever needed again.

I used these NIBCO crimp rings and a die crimper for my RV. I put away the go-nogo tool after about 20 crimps, I knew it wasn't needed.

If you just have a short section of pipe to replace, you could make it up on the bench and figure out the best connectivity on the two ends.

Plumbing a smaller residence is mostly tedium rather than anything difficult, IMO. If I was closer, I bet I could beat that $7800 by a few thousand. Unless you have steam or water baseboard heat, just exchanging supplies and drains is straight forward. A guy always runs into a surprise or two along the way but it isn't monumental if the house was built to a somewhat standard layout and hasn't been extensively remodeled.

If you can get into the space you're dealing with and shoot a picture or two, you'll probably get some better advice about how to deal with the repair.

OK update.

Going to spend $400.00 and buy a "wirsbo" drill expander tool. Tried Lowes alum rings and no leaks until 75 psi. Got some copper "sharkbite" rings that held to about 90 psi. I don't want any metal fatigue on rings couple years from now.

Got estimate from plumber but I don't think he wants the job.

His estimate $7800.00

I think his price is combo of:
(1)He is busy and
(2)My crawl space is really a wiggle on your back space.

OK, water dist guy came over today. I have 67 psi (not 85psi) I also have 1 inch to house (not 3/4). Houses in my area are plagued with rusty pipes. Most houses put in last 40's. Wife leaves tomorrow for Spokane, so I'll start project if no rain.

path1 wrote:
OK 3rd time somebody said water pressure to high. And I certainly know most everybody knows more about this than I do.

I was at water dist last month to find out what type of pipe to use. I'm pretty sure I heard him right and my street has 85 psi and some places in dist have up to 110 and those have some type of relieve valve on them.

Reason for replacing water line in first place is when changing out dishwasher noticed metal 1/2 inch galvanized pipe had bunch of rust in it.

But might be other reasons for problems? Water meter at street is at driveway entrance, 133 ft up driveway, then about 1/2 acre to house where another shut off valve is. Then the 3/4 inch pipe (from water meter)gets reduced to 1/2". Then at other end of house, where water bib is and with a 50 foot hose, water pressure is weak.

Just thinking about the distance, I wonder with all the rust in pipes that volume might be problem? I'm thinking even though I have 85 psi not enough can get thru, like maybe not enough volume of water can get thru because of rust?

Will confirm psi pressure tomorrow.

Thanks for heads up. Will report back.

100 psi street pressure is not uncommon. In the event you do have 100psi inboard of the meter, a regulator will get it into comfortable range. I have my own wells and keep the house pressure at 65 psi, mostly for the shower freaks that live with me, otherwise, I could keep it down to 45 psi and get along fine.

Yes, if you have steel pipe in the house and if it's older than 20 yrs., you will definitely have rust and crud in the pipes. I urge my customers to replace it and most wait until the third or fourth leak to take it on. It's not inexpensive to replace it all. I only install copper inside residences. I don't want any call-backs.

Water dist guy went home sick. I'll try again tomorrow.

Some local stores with plumbing supplies will either loan you the pex tools or rent them to you. This is not done at Home Depot or Lowes (unless maybe in their rental section).

If you have a lot to do and will do more in the future the set of tools runs around $100 or less. Or the Sharkbite needs no tools.

We used the sharkbite fittings in the motorhome. Over a year and no leaks.

According to the techs at the company we had install a new furnace, residential fixtures are only rated to 85 psi. They recommend a max of 65 psi.

The pressure in the town we live in is about 140 psi and folks use a pressure reducer. The Watts adjustable is the one most use.

The one on our house had failed sometime before we bought it a couple of years ago and I didn't discover it until a friend hooked his coach up to our water and his hose swelled up a lot.
Even though our fixtures and copper plumbing held up okay at 140 psi I would still be leery of 85 psi and would install a regulator.

smkettner wrote:
I would worry far more of a Flair-It cracking vs. a SharkBite O-ring fail.

85psi is too high IMO.

http://www.plumbingengineer.com/oct_08/code.php

I agree that at that pressure you are just asking for problems at some point. I can't point to a reference, but I would think around 55 to 65 would be more preferable and think that might be what a lot of regulators come from the factory preset.

I only run around 30 or so in my trailer which is low, but it gets the job done for our use and wants.

Larry