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66vdub's avatar
66vdub
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017

Plumbing Question: NEED Advice on Pex Size to use?

Hey everyone... still rolling the '87 Honey and ran into a leak this time. It seems the gray Polybutyle pipe fittings are getting brittle... had 2 bust on me last week.
I will be replacing it all with PEX.

So my question is...
current lines are 3/8" Poly.
Do I use 3/8" PEX throughout or move up to 1/2" PEX?

Thanks!
  • gbopp wrote:
    malexander wrote:
    I'm a licensed plumber (not that it really matters). But personally, I'd go with 1/2" if you've got the tools for it.

    I'm not a plumber, but I do a lot of my own plumbing. I agree with you, go with 1/2". I think it will be easier.

    Same here; not a plumber but I do a lot of it - I'd go 1/2".
  • 66vdub wrote:
    OK so I was looking at the waterline routing...
    appears that 2 lines cross under the middle floor area from shower to bathroom area...
    was not wanting to remove the floor but looks like I am going to have to bring up 2 or 3 ft. to make sure all is good under there.
    Think I am going with 1/2"



    Could you tie the new pipe onto the old one and pull it through using the old as a puller?
  • OK so I was looking at the waterline routing...
    appears that 2 lines cross under the middle floor area from shower to bathroom area...
    was not wanting to remove the floor but looks like I am going to have to bring up 2 or 3 ft. to make sure all is good under there.
    Think I am going with 1/2"
  • malexander wrote:
    I'm a licensed plumber (not that it really matters). But personally, I'd go with 1/2" if you've got the tools for it.

    I'm not a plumber, but I do a lot of my own plumbing. I agree with you, go with 1/2". I think it will be easier.
  • I'm a licensed plumber (not that it really matters). But personally, I'd go with 1/2" if you've got the tools for it. I think 1/2" fittings would be more readily available. All the fixtures have the same size threads and fittings as residential fixtures.

    I had to replumb my water heater area. I did it just like I would have done my house, except for putting in the by-pass valves.
  • I would stay with 3/8 if for no other reason than to make the routings and connecrtions easier. You may find a couple places that are tight where going up a little in size could make it slightly harder to get connections to sinks etc. You know the poly had fit through all the holes before so stay with 3/8.