I’m installing AquaPEX in my home.  <!—-><!—-> <!—->

When I was getting my materials list together, I noticed that Uponor sells a pre-sleeved version of its 1/2″ and 3/4″ Aquapex.  It’s their clear (uncolored) AquaPEX in a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sleeve that is red or blue in color.   Apparently it’s mainly used for direct burial or under- or in- slab applications.  Here’s the Uponor cut sheet for it:<!—-><!—->

http://www.uponor-usa.com/~/media/Files/Technical%20Documents/Commercial%20Related%20Docs/Pre%20sleeved%20AQPX_CS_7%2007.aspx?sc_lang=en<!—-><!—->

While I’m not burying any of the PEX I’m installing, I decided to use it because I like the protection the sleeve offers.  Anyway, it’s sold in 400’ coils, and the first coil arrived yesterday (I’ve had to go with all red-sleeved as the blue is on back order).  <!—-> <!—->

Unlike any of the other PEX I’ve ordered, this roll of pre-sleeved didn’t come in a box.  It’s simply wrapped in clear plastic wrap.  There’s no apparent damage to it.  The sleeve looks very tough and certainly protected it from abrasions.  But what concerns me is the amount of UV light it might have been exposed to.<!—-><!—->

Uponor made it clear to me that you cannot rely on the red or blue sleeve to protect the AquaPEX from UV exposure because the sleeve isn’t black.  Some sunlight enters my attic through gable vents, and I have fluorescent lighting in my attic, so UV exposure is a bit of a concern for me.  Plus, all of Uponor’s literature emphasizes minimizing exposure to UV light by keeping PEX tubing sealed in its packaging.<!—-> <!—->

Uponor says the tubing should get no more than 30 days of exposure to direct UV light.  I’m no scientist, but I’m sure the red sleeve provides quite a bit of protection from UV exposure.  Then again, the roll was manufactured 11 months ago, and I really have no way of knowing how much light it might have been exposed to in storage (I’m told it was stored inside, but there easily could have been skylights or fluorescent lighting).<!—-><!—->

Would this concern any of you, or am I just worried about nothing?  I expect it’s the latter, but because I don’t ever want to reopen my walls, it concerns me.