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"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
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Recently saw Pex tubing used for domestic water supply on PBS.
Anywhere to order tubing, tools and fittings online?
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Alex -
I don't know of a online distributor off the top of my head, but go to http://www.wirsbo.com for more info on Aquapex. I have used it, and I own the expander tool. I am highly impressed with it as a system, and the fittings are very easy to work with and I haven't had a leak yet. Like anything else, it requires planning ahead of time so that you have the right fittings on hand to complete the job. The fittings are not always easily available locally, so running short could be a real problem.
One word of caution, check with your local building department to see if they allow its use... some townships in my area do not allow the use of any plastic pipe for domestic water.
*Alex,We recently responded to an emergency service call from a remodel we completed 2 years ago. The customer called to report that her baseboards were pulling away from the wall and the grout lines in the kitchen were wet. Upon examination we discovered 18" of warm water in a stud bay. (also 6 dead mice) The mice chewed a small hole in the pex!Jon
*Jon,Are you serious? You don't happen to have any pictures of this event you would be willing to post, do you?I have always heard that rodents could sense water in the strangest of places during a drought.Makes me wonder what biz would be like in the Southwest Desert seizure city trailer parks. Know what I mean, dry climate, full of nasty rodents thirsty for a drink, all that pre-manufactured plastic plumbing to tempt the little beasts?I also hear the "termites" consider plastiques a delicacy. I got an email from a guy [I think he worked for Alcoa] warning of termites munching happily on vinyl siding.One can never be too paranoid, in my opinion.Jeffps: Who is that company that has tens of dozens of Chevettes running around So. Cal and other SW bergs with the funny "bugs" on their lids?
*Of course, that begs the question, how did six mice get into a stud bay sealed well enough to hold 18" of water?I once pulled 7 dead mice out of the seat of a car I was restoring, but I'm pretty sure I know how they got in...
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Alex,
I saw PEX on "Hometime" and started looking. I found a web site for Vangard. I think that is the name; I handed the catalog they to my architech. They can send you a catalog. To find out about the system that they used recently (this year) in Santa Barbra on TOH, go to thisoldhouse.org and you can click your way to any project, then to the supplyers. I found the system they used, but (from the literature) I like the Vangard system better.
Clint
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I would suspect that the mice had been poisoned. One thing the poison does to them is send them in search of water. LOTS of water. This is supposedly to drive them outside, so's they don't go dying in yer wall and stinking the place up.
It's possible that the first one 'discovered' the water in the pex and chewed the small hole, and the rest followed. They would naturaly die anyway.
As for the stud bay holding 18 inches of water... isn't it more likely that the water never actualy rose to any certain level but was absorbed and/or sprayed up to that level ?
I think that mice, under normal circumstances will always go for the more natural supply of water. They possibly chewed the pex only because they were already dying and hadn't the strength to go in search of easier takings. And/or they knew they were dying and didn't want to leave the security of the walls to find water elsewhere.
While the homeowner couldn't know this was going to happen just because they wanted to get rid of a rodent problem, it was not the fault of the carpenter/builder either. I would suggest that you ask the homeowner to put in a claim on thier homeowner's insurance to pay for the cost of labor and materials for that emergency call.
*Wow, I had no idea that the rodent episode would generate so much interest. > Of course, that begs the question, how did six mice get into a stud bay sealed well enough to hold 18" of water? I should have mentioned that this job was a remo. We didn't gut the whole house. some of the original framing remained. The mice could have gotten down from the attic through a hole drilled for wiring. I once read that a mouse can get through a 1/4" crack!>As for the stud bay holding 18 inches of water... isn't it more likely that the water never actualy rose to actuallytain level but was absorbed and/or sprayed up to that level ? I wish we had taken some pictures. There was indeed 18" of water in the bay, the dead critters were floating. (and not doing the backstroke either)The hole in the pex was small enough that it only kind of spritzed a little bit, it must have taken weeks for the water to get that deep.The client did file a successful claim with her Homeowners Insurance, and all parties were well compensated.Jon
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Thanks for all the mouse c... . Nick, I downloaded Wirsbo catalogue. Haven"t checked on Vanguard yet. Also found local supplier for Pex and fittings. The expansion tool is more than $200.
Found Flair-It.com on the web. Their fittings are two piece i.e. a hand tight collar goes on first then the fitting barb. Can be inserted by hand. Also supply optional expansion tool for abt $100. I called the 800 number and the lady told me their fittings are used on Winnebago motor homes. Also, sold at most Ace Hdwre. Anyone have experience with this product? or company? Or additional info? I'm off to the local Ace to check it out.
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