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Any suggestions on choosing the homerun method over traditional plumbing.
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If your question is "PEX homerun" vs "PEX done traditional-style", traditional meaning PEX with 90's, 45's, T's, etc...
Homerun.
PEX homerun vs traditional Cu?
Both have merits. I still prefer copper.
*... i like pex... and i like the manifold systems you use with homeruns...it makes it very easy to service, easy to drain down, easy to protect.. if you want to go away, or shut off a wing of the house, almost freeze proof because it can expand and then return to its rest state..
*Mike....first off...copper is all that is allowed where I am...Second...I have been reading where copper has less stuff on the inside walls that may or may not be good for drinking water...Copper works and goes up fast enough for me...A comprimise would be to run a copper line to fridge with water hook up and then just manifold/homerun pex...still, here I have not the permition to use it yet.some thoughts, near the stream,aj
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I am talking about PEX homerun versus copper. How about resale? Is it a system that is gaining in popularity, or would potential buyers four years down the road be scared away?
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PEX has been around for quite a while. I don't think that in four years anyone is going to be "scared away" unless they are uninformed and don't know what they are looking at. IMHO, Pex is gaining in popularity and I think that it someday it will be as common as copper. Especially given the fact that copper supplies in the world are diminishing and its price is likely only to go up. I have used Wirsbo's Aquapex system and I think it is an excellent product.
*John, PEX for domestic water is gaining in popularity.As for pro's/con's regarding resale? First, I've got to say that the average homeowner is uneducated when it comes to building materials. Many are afraid of having a house that is "different." Some find comfort in being a lemming.Some also associate PEX with the plastic plumbing failures of the past.If you feel that strongly about it I'd say go ahead and do it. Homerun it, and with proper planning at the manifold you'll have the ability to isolate each plumbing line/fixture in your house as required. That's a nice selling point. Keep the PEX literature you get from the manufacturer for reference and advertising use when you put your house on the market.Realize that PEX does expand and sag, especially in hot water lines. Plan accordingly.
*For what it's worth, my personal home uses PEX with a Manabloc home-run manifold. No problems thus far (less than 2 years). My house is on a slab, and a neighbor told me they could appreciate the fact that there were no supply fittings under the concrete. I build steel frame homes, and I have to be careful about copper and zinc contacting each other, so that was a consideration for me. As a spec. builder, I am incoporating this system in two crawlspace homes I have under construction, so I feel confident. Practically speaking, I find hot water delivery to be a little slower (contrary to what I was told), but home-running does prevent a suddenly hot shower when someone flushes the toilet! (Does that still happen?)
*Use a pressure balancing shower valve to prevent the old flush-and-scald. Symmons is one.-- J.S.
*Frank,PEX is not allowed in my area just as fitting(copper), are not allowed in a slab. Still using copper, so as not to deplete our source of 2 litter coke bottles.DAvid
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Doesn't PEX have a considerable history of use in European countries both for domestic water and RFH?
Terry
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Any suggestions on choosing the homerun method over traditional plumbing.
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yup.