Water Line Replacement

[tpprepper]

It seems that I did not get all of the water out of the main water lines last fall. Found the main 1/2" lines cracked and useless. I am going to replace them but was wondering if there was a "better" line to use instead.
The factory lines are the standard pvc type with glued fittings.

Is there a flex line that could be used?

Hope somebody out there had some experience with this.

Thanks
Vic

[69_Avion]

I would use PEX, but there are different grades of PEX which vary by the manufacturing process. If you want the most flexible, use PEXa. It is a little more expensive, so fewer folks use it, but it makes a big difference if you are flexing it through areas and trying to keep fittings to a minimum.
Also, keep all PEX out of the sun.

[sljkansas]

Indian Creeker, sent you a PM

[INDIAN_CREEKER]

sljkansas wrote:
ksbowman, I had a leak in my PEX plumping when I bought my 5ver. the dealer came out and cut all the pex connectors off ( I think the crimping tool at the factory was bad)and replaced them with radiator clamps (easier and cheaper for them) since then I have had to replaced them with the proper PEX clamps because the radiator clamps would loosen up. Home Depot carries the PEX clamping rings, both the ring and the pinch type, along with the crimping tool for both. I used the pinch type.

I will never buy, or rent, pex crimpers or clamps as long as there are Shark Bite fittings on the market. (you know I wouldn't lead you a stray Steve).
Dave

[sljkansas]

double posted.

[sljkansas]

ksbowman, I had a leak in my PEX plumping when I bought my 5ver. the dealer came out and cut all the pex connectors off ( I think the crimping tool at the factory was bad)and replaced them with radiator clamps (easier and cheaper for them) since then I have had to replaced them with the proper PEX clamps because the radiator clamps would loosen up. Home Depot carries the PEX clamping rings, both the ring and the pinch type, along with the crimping tool for both. I used the pinch type.

[74alex]

For what it is worth. Years ago when relocating a water line under the kitchen cupboard, the long handles of the crimping tool became a problem in its use due to lack of space.
Alex

[RinconVTR]

ksbowman wrote:
Is there a reason a standard radiator clamp won't work? I've used PEX with the shark bite and they work great.

Sharkbite, as in quick connect? No crimp? I want to use quick connects when I clean up the mess Gulfstream left me. Cant find a reason not to...yet?

[SprinklerMan]

If I had to redo mine , I would go with CPVC . Cut , primer and glue . I install irrigation systems , never liked the crimp fittings .

[ksbowman]

Is there a reason a standard radiator clamp won't work? I've used PEX with the shark bite and they work great.

[westend]

The die style crimpers cost about a third of what a hydraulic crimper (handled)cost. They are slower to crimp but do make a good crimp.

[tpprepper]

OK OK OK. PEX it is. Looks like you guys all agree and that's good enough for me. The specs look good, heading to the store.

Thanks all
Vic

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[WoodGlue]

RinconVTR wrote:

WoodGlue wrote:
I agree, PEX is best. There are a couple of things to watch out for and they're listed on this page:

Pex - Pluses and Minuses

PEX does expand and contract and are much more forgiving as water lines!

WoodGlue

Spent the night this weekend with nights of 40ish. Had to turn off the pump switch because of a leak somewhere. In the morning I find drips under the sink where the city water inlet meets the sink feed and quick disconnect feed, only for all drips to disappear as the temps rose.

And would you look at this craziness...how many excess joints can you count? (ignore the disconnected quick connect...I was narrowing down leak points) COME ON GULFSTREAM.



I think this means I need to redo the PEX joints and eliminate a bunch of others. Buying the required PEX tools (cutter, crimper) is an unexpected expense, but probably worth having in the tool box!

Oh my, your cool handiwork rivals that of an M.C. Escher drawing:

[RinconVTR]

WoodGlue wrote:
I agree, PEX is best. There are a couple of things to watch out for and they're listed on this page:

Pex - Pluses and Minuses

PEX does expand and contract and are much more forgiving as water lines!

WoodGlue

Spent the night this weekend with nights of 40ish. Had to turn off the pump switch because of a leak somewhere. In the morning I find drips under the sink where the city water inlet meets the sink feed and quick disconnect feed, only for all drips to disappear as the temps rose.

And would you look at this craziness...how many excess joints can you count? (ignore the disconnected quick connect...I was narrowing down leak points) COME ON GULFSTREAM.



I think this means I need to redo the PEX joints and eliminate a bunch of others. Buying the required PEX tools (cutter, crimper) is an unexpected expense, but probably worth having in the tool box!