How To Repair Pex Water Line

Are yous afraid to solder copper pipes?

If you lot've never soldered before information technology can exist intimidating. Plus you lot tin can easily take hold of your firm on burn down – never a good affair.

Today you'll learn how to install PEX pipe. This is a general overview that'll share quick tips and get you familiar with PEX.

Which past the manner comes in pretty handy when your married woman tells you the kitchen ceiling is leaking h2o.

We promise that you'll be able to fix whatever leaky pipe in your house later on you read and watch today's tutorial.

And then allow's dive in and salve you money!

PEX Supplies

Hither are all the supplies we discuss

Crimp Rings (i/2 inch)
PEX xc Caste Elbows (1/two inch)
SharkBite 90 Degree Elbows (1/2 inch)
PEX Crimping Tool
Pipe Cutter for PEX
PEX Crimp Ring Cutter
SharkBite Depth Tool
Sharpie Marker
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SharkBites aren't cheap but if you buy the PEX fittings in bulk they're actually competitively priced.

And one time you lot have the PEX crimping tool you're all set to begin your plumbing setup.

One warning: make sure your local plumbing code allows PEX.

Some places don't. And you'll have to use copper. So telephone call the local edifice inspector and ask…use someone else's voice if you're afraid of their response, haha…just kidding.

How Easy is PEX to Apply?

Easier than you recall.

Y'all've probably seen information technology in the dwelling house store. PEX comes in red, white and blue colors. Ruddy is for hot water lines, blue is for cold water lines and white is neutral, meaning yous tin can utilise it for either hot or cold.

The colors are more for forgetful folks like me who tin't remember what they were doing iii seconds ago.

Slide a crimp ring onto the PEX.

Slide your fitting, in this instance a 90 degree elbow, into the PEX.

Crimp rings should be 1/eight to i/4 of an inch from the end of the PEX. This recommendation is per SharkBite who makes these crimp rings.

Information technology might exist dissimilar for your PEX arrangement then follow the manufacturer directions.

Position the PEX crimping tool at ninety degrees over the crimp band. Then slowly clasp the crimping tool until you hear it popular and shrink the ring.

Our only complaint most the PEX crimper is that it has brusk handles. We wish y'all could extend the handles to create more leverage…hmm, maybe nosotros should develop some invention.

Information technology's that simple.

Simply how exercise you know if your crimp band is tight enough?

The nice thing virtually the SharkBite organization is that information technology has a gage. If the 'GO' slot fits over your crimp ring you know it'southward on the PEX correctly. Yous also want to slide the 'NO-Get' slot over the crimp band, if information technology doesn't fit yous're totally good to go.

What if you mess upwards the position of the crimp ring?

Non a trouble.

How to Set up PEX Crimp Rings

If your crimp ring is more than than i/4″ away from the end of the PEX it'south super easy to repair.

Cut the PEX merely shy of the PEX plumbing fixtures.

Slide the removal tool into the PEX.

Squeeze the handle and snap the crimp ring. Place the removal tool 180 degrees on the other side of the crimp ring and snap information technology again. Although, we find that this generally opens the crimp ring just enough to allow information technology to slide off the PEX.

Inspect the PEX fitting and make sure it'due south okay to use again.

What if you don't want to use PEX fittings with PEX?

Use SharkBites instead!!

Using SharkBites with PEX

We love PEX merely it'due south even easier if you utilise SharkBite fittings.

The one downside is the fact that SharkBites are expensive as all heck. We're talking movie ticket prices.

But we LOVE them and SharkBites come in handy for super tight spaces.

Place the SharkBite depth tool on the PEX and brand a mark with your marker.

Slide the SharkBite over the PEX until it meets upwards with the mark.

Each SharkBite fitting has a plastic insert and this makes the PEX connection solid. Trivial side note, you tin leave the plastic insert in the SharkBite fitting even if y'all use it with copper. Nosotros called SharkBite and asked them almost this.

SharkBites volition spin 360 degrees around PEX or copper pipes. This is completely normal. And so don't be freaked out.

Watch our quick video to see extra tips and a funny outtake at the end…my daughters crack me upwards

What'southward Adjacent

This was meant to exist a loftier level overview and teach yous the basics of PEX.

We truly think you lot'd love working with it more than copper in some instances.

That said, if y'all want to acquire how to solder copper pipes we have a great tutorial.

If yous're doing a bathroom remodel and need assist, join one of our online courses – they'll make your bathroom renovation much easier!

Let me know if you have whatever questions and I'll do my all-time to help.

Thanks,

Jeff

PEX Plumbing Tips