PEX tubing has many advantages over copper, lead, PVC plastic, and iron pipes. It is quickly starting to replace other piping in plumbing applications. If you are installing radiant heat flooring, building or remodeling your home, or upgrading your current plumbing, you will probably see this type of tubing used.

It is made from a high-density polymer. This makes it very flexible. This flexibility means that it can be bent around corners without crushing it, and without the need for for a right angle connection. Its ability to bend without needing connectors is what makes it a top choice for radiant heat flooring.

Its flexibility has other advantages. It can be produced, rolled, and shipped in long lengths. This means it costs less to ship. Because it comes in a long, continuous tube, it does not require a lot of connections to get it to the required length. It takes less time and work to install. The job can get done faster and cost less than using other types of plumbing materials.

There is also an environmental advantage to using this type of tubing. Other types of plumbing require acidic flux and lead solder to make the connections. PEX pipe does not require any flux or solder, so there is no toxic chemicals or lead leached into the water or soil. There is also minimal heat loss with this tubing, which conserves energy.

Another positive thing about PEX plumbing is that fewer connections means fewer places where the plumbing can develop leaks. This can save the homeowner a lot of hassle and expense down the line. Money is saved on both plumbing repairs, and possible costly repairs of the damage caused by any leaks within the walls or foundation.

If you are considering radiant heat flooring there is something to note. You will need a special kind of PEX that has an oxygen barrier property. Some materials in flooring can corrode with exposure to oxygen, so a variation of tubing was created to eliminate this problem. Be sure your contractor is using an oxygen-barrier PEX for any walkway or floor applications.

So make sure to check on the possibility of using PEX tubing for your next project. It will most likely be less expensive in the short term. It will definitely less expensive in the long run!

This entry was posted on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 3:11 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.