Pex tubing/Shark Bite copper fittings
yojimbo2
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I have not tried it yet, but I am thinking that for remodel work, Pex tubing and Shark Bite copper fittings are probably the fastest most efficient way to go.
The biggest hassle for me when plumbing in new lines is when I have to go under the house and cut a water line and it ends up being the low point in the system. Water just continues to drip, making a solder joint impossible until I dry out the line.
The Shark Bite fittings do away with having to deal with the proprietary Pex crimping tools.
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I did a kitchen remodel not too long ago that had the "we gotta have two sinks plus the pot filler over the stove because the Smith's do" set-up. Well, that meant pipe runs all over the place. The basement had a drop ceiling but was filled with HVAC, electric, etc. so I thought it was the best time to try Pex. It worked great. Ran the lines in 1/3 the time. I used the Shark Bite connections in some places and crimps in others. Both were easy to use. The cost of the crimps is considerably cheaper but the tool was $180. The best thing about the SB fittings was how it went from copper to Pex without having to do anything special other then deburring the copper. Buy the deburring tool and removal tool when you get started. Worth the $. I'll use both again.
Water just continues to drip, making a solder joint impossible until I dry out the line.
I'll share an old plumber's trick:
Wad up a small piece of white bread (or dampened white flour will do) and shove it a couple inches up the dripping pipe. Sweat the connection and when you turn on the water again, the bread will dissolve.
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Everyone knows this trick. I am just trying to get to the point where I no longer need to rely on baked goods to get the job done.
SharkBite = SuperAwesome!
May the bucket of copper in my garage turn green with envy.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
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