Pex is an abbreviated form of cross linked polyethylene which in itself is described as polyethylene having cross links. Pex plumbing is mainly used in domestic water piping, hydronic radiant heating systems and for insulation for electrical cables. For extensive usage it is used for offshore oil application, natural gas, transportation of slurries and sewage and chemical transportation.
Pex is an alternate choice for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The sizes of the PEX ranges generally from ¼ inch to 4 inch, the widely used PEX sizes are ½ inch, 1 inch and ¾ inch.
Advantages of using PEX
• PEX is basically used for hot and cold water usage and it can be made adaptable to PVC and copper.
• PEX is very flexible and so it can be bent into a radius of 4 inch for 3/8 inch pipe and 5 inch radius for ½ inch pipe.
• It requires fewer fittings there is less breakage or leaking point.
• Since the pex tubing being flexible it can expand or contract on its own and there is a less chance for bursting.
• Since this form of tubing comes with kit repairing set, its usage is also simple.
• All typical fittings such as elbows, shutoffs etc. are available in pex tubing.
Installation
To install this kind of plumbing there are two methods namely compression and insertion. Compression involves more work as compared to insertion. PEX comes in rolls of 100ft or general 10ft length. Pex fittings under this kind of method are generally used for buried projects or for the interiors. Pex plumbing generally has freeze damage resistant property and requires no extra insulation. It is for this reason that this type of plumbing are perceived quite ideal for water plumbing.
People who are into the plumbing or tubing business mainly employ PEX for the plumbing purposes. The good thing about the PEX tubing is it lasts for a very long period. This tubing is not only used in household but is also used in offices as well. Further, it also has chlorine resistant property as well and so it makes drinking water much safer.
PEX has high density polyethylene polymer that makes the tubes stronger and long lasting as compared to the tubes that are made of copper, plastic, iron and lead.
Pex fittings come in different sizes and colors. The two main colors that are commonly used are red for hot water and blue for cold water. These fittings are suitable for those places where the temperature mostly remains freezing point. Besides, these kinds of fittings can also withstand high temperature up to 200 degree Fahrenheit or 93.3 degree Celsius.
In a nutshell it can be said that pex tubing is always beneficial for the people in terms of cost and time management.
