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Frequently asked questions about PEX Tools

PEX has been gaining popularity with plumbers and home-plumbers alike in recent years. There are a number of questions that many old-school plumbers might have regarding the material, PEX tools, and all of the new techniques that are used when working with PEX materials. First of all, PEX requires a lot less work than that of your traditional copper or other form of metal pipe. This is because PEX does not require a flame or any sort of soldering equipment to make connections and place fittings between two separate stretches of pipe. PEX is also flexible, so many less connections need to be made throughout typical system. This creates a number of advantages and will ultimately lead to faster completion of work.

Frequently asked Questions Relating to PEX tools;

Question: What Type of Tools are Used for Crimp Fittings?

There are a number of different types of tools that can be used in conjunction with crimp fittings. The main tool that you will  use with be a cinch toolt hat is used to crimp the crimp ring down around the pipe and the fitting, creating a water-tight seal that will be leak free.

Question: Do I need soldering equipment when working with PEX?

No, you do not require soldering equipment when working with PEX. The only types of connections that are used are either threaded connection or PEX crimp connections, and neither type requires soldering or flame of any kind.

Question: Are PEX cutters necessary?

Many individuals find that they are able to get away without using PEX cutters and still are able to easily put their systems together. However, keep in mind that when you are putting together a system you should be trying to create the most even cut that you can. This may not make other tools that best choice and could potentially lead to problems and leaks further down the road.

Question: Do I need a PEX tool kit to put together a system?

No, it is not required that you have a full PEX Tool kit when you are putting together a PEX system. Most of these kits will include many PEX tools that you will only need one or two times and are not completely necessary. It may be in your best interest, particularly if you are doing it yourself in your own home for you to only identify the tools that you will require for your project and then purchase those. This could potentially save you quite a bit of money in the long run.

Use of PEX pipes

There are two types of metal pipes. In the first, between two identical layers of polymer is a layer of aluminum. The adhesive layer allows you to throw in a layer of aluminum to the polymer. As the polymer used “cross-linked” polyethylene. These tubes are denoted by PEX-Al-PEX.

In the second type layer of aluminum is located on the outer surface of the pipe. It is protected on top

with a thin layer of polymer. Clutch provides or adhesive layer (pipe PEX) or a polymer, which flow

into the perforations in the aluminum tube. In both cases, aluminum pipe is obtained from the strips of

aluminum foil, which wraps the polymer core. Foil welded with a laser.

Pipes PEX-Al-PEX is used in cold and hot water. They are used in underfloor and radiator heating systems,

water conditioning, heating soil in greenhouses and hothouses. Apply the metal-tube can be separately, and

combining with other pipes.

Metal-pipe suitable for all types of gaskets. The special properties of pipes reduce installation time due

to the smaller number of connections, lack of preliminary preparations. Due to the flexibility of pipes,

you can choose either the traditional tee, or the collector circuit installation of water supply.

The collector circuit is more reliable and maintainability, and is widespread in modern construction. It

allows you to place a regulatory and valves in a single technological closet.

Is recommended that the metal-pipe hidden in the mines, canals, furrows. It must provide access to the

detachable connections and valves.

Other horizontal pipes to prevent the formation of air pockets in the pipes must be installed

with a rise of more than 0,003 in the direction of water fittings. This recommended to lay the

pipeline in the casing.

Tubes, kept at a temperature below 0 ° C should be soaked for days at a temperature of 10 ° C. Pipe lay

without tightness that did not fall into the mud, loose ends of the pipes close plugs.

Metal pipes are connected to each other by means of crimp fittings and a clamp. For the installation does

not need any expensive tools or highly skilled artist.

When using the press and threaded fittings, outdoor press sleeve is pressed onto the pipe. O-rings provide

a density between the insert and the inner wall of the pipe.

Mounting a threaded fitting exercise tight tightening nut. As of press fitting the outer sleeve clenching

with the pressing tool. Connection-in-one crimping, the threaded connection can loosen the nut, insert in

this case will be closely connected with the pipe. Press mites can be used with an electric press machine,

and battery-press. For pipes with a diameter of 14-20 mm using hand-press machine. For connecting threaded

fittings need only wrenches.

Installation of pipes made with brass fittings, compression type. They consist of a bean, split ring and

nut, and provide a firm connection of pipes and fittings with a spanner.

The main advantage of this connection is that during installation do not need special equipment, and in

case of need can be quickly removed any connection.

Composite pipe is cut off or a special cutter or a hacksaw with a fine tooth. Bend the pipe with your

hands or bending. Also, the PEX pipes without creases use special springs. The minimum bend radius of

five outer diameter of bent pipe. Pipe clamps and mounted a minimum of clamps, as they retain their shape

well, and their coefficient of linear expansion smaller than that of PEX pipes. Connecting tubes,

should make sure they are compatible, since different manufacturers wall thickness and external diameters

of pipes, even for the same pressure is rarely the same.

Connecting pipes must adhere to the following sequence:

1. Cut the pipe on the markup.

2. Remove from the inner surface of the chamfer and Flare the pipe.

3. Put the pipe union nut and split ring.

4. Calibrate the pipe and mark the depth of the input.

5. Moisten the connection.

6. Connect the PEX pipe fitting. Butt pipe should rest against the edge of the fitting.

7. Tighten the nut without the distortions and displacements of the keys to the stop, but do not

overtightened.

As practice shows, the collected compound is better not to touch it, but theoretically it can be re-

disassemble and assemble. In the case of repairing the damaged part of a better place to insert a new,

combining it fitting under the clamp or crimp.

Mounting the piping must take precautions: use a pipe in accordance with their characteristics (pressure

and temperature), the transposition of pipes ensure that their surfaces were not damaged, the fittings

shall be from the same manufacturer as the pipe does not apply much effort When tightening the nut

fitting.

In addition to the compression type fittings, the installation of plumbing supply and radiant heating systems have

been used press fittings. They have some advantages in comparison with compression fittings. Installation

conditions permitted concealed strip press fittings, casting in concrete.

Many companies for permanent connection of metal pipes used steel crimp sleeves.

With the end of the tube is removed the inner chamfer and injected into her caliber to correct the

roundness, which is formed during the cutting. In the calibrated pipe fitting insert with rubber O-rings.

Where metal-tube contact with the metal connecting piece, to protect against elektro-corrosion install

insulating gasket. The steel sleeve is crimped press mites.

With the proper crimp will see two circular strips, and metal must be arched. Allowable pressure of the

fluid in the joints – 10 bar.

You have matured a question: how much PEX tubing to Seattle?

The answer to this question is given in “Tubing and ecology” № 3 / 1998:

- As worn in water systems and utilities must be replaced to restore the 280 km of networks at a cost of 4,300 tons of PEX tubing;
- To clean up Plumbing must be shifted about 38 thousand kilometers of pipelines at a cost of 638 thousand tons of polyethylene tubing;
- Rehabilitation of heating systems in accordance with modern thermal insulation (foam) should be shifted 42 thousand km at a cost of 252 thousand tons of polyethylene tubing;
- Total reconstruction and replacement of utilities system utilities is 360 km and, respectively, 5,200 tons of polyethylene tubing.

Thus, today Seattle, only to be replaced by a huge amount of PEX tubing and pipe fittings. This is the underground tubinglines of plumbing, plumbingage, district heating.

In addition, currently in operation is about 17 million km Intra-system hot and cold plumbing, plumbingage, heating, electrical protection, technological tubinglines. This mass could be called the use of PEX tubing systems only domestic Plumbing units: approximately 95% of the applied PEX tubing with diameters of 50 and 110 mm.

We can state that they are going to replace polypropylene tubing from statistical polypropylene – homopolymer.

For systems of cold and hot water and heating are applied Polypropylene Random Copolymer tubing, PEX  tubing, cross-linked polyethylene. The volume of the internal market of tubing is determined by consumer demand in the construction of residential and public buildings – for household and drinking plumbing in various industries – Equipment for pressure and pressure underground and outdoor tubing to transport water, liquid and aggressive media (acids, alkalis), oil pulp for casing technology wells as tubing for electric wiring and protection of insulated wires and cables, etc. The major customers are large private construction firms that use these materials for the construction of luxury homes. They are popular and with the individual building. Plastic tubing are serious competition for steel tubing. Their advantages over steel tubing of similar purpose are clear.

Code requirement of thermal expansion of the domestic water heating systems, service control

Residential heating and plumbing

As a double check valves and check valves are installed in the water, close to the budget of the health system of contaminated drinking water in the domestic network. Because of the work so well, the assets are returned to the thermal expansion, which may contribute to serious problems.

Standard Water Heating System

used in a typical domestic water supply water into the cold water service lines.
Some water may be used as a secondary ‘closed’ pipe, water pipe in a closed system, which is connected to the hot water. The pipe is usually filled again, and the water again and again, and then only in the medium to convey heat. The largest water use in domestic hot water is usually swimming, washing and dish-washing. Water in the hot water system heated by a gas-gas, oil, electricity or indirectly. The boiler, over hot water system is a continuous supply of fresh water.

Since the water is heated, or dictated, such as the boiler recovers the hot water is used, the extent of which the claim is made to the taps. As the warm water exits the system through the faucets, shower heads, appliances, fresh, cold water is the main city of the stove , where a heated applications. Typically, the heater will heat water in the house two or three times a day.

If the water is heated, expands in volume as three to four minutes depending on the percentage of the initial and final temperature. If there is no demand for hot water, the expanded volume of water has nowhere to go. Since water is practically incompressible, the water can not be extended to meet the rigid tubes, through which they travel, and therefore acts as a hydraulic ram, which will increase the pressure on potentially dangerous levels.

Open Radiant Heating Systems

The day of the valve, the expanded water to go to one place … back City on the Main, mix a large quantity of cold water, where it was located easily. At that time, kickspace heaters, “open” systems, because we are “open” in the main city w.

Double-check or check-valve is installed with or without a water meter, backflow of the effective “return” an obstacle, so the system is “closed”. Extended water does not find the way back to the city on the Main, so at the time of recovery boilers, hot water if you do not pull, the more water, the pressure increase, set up the heater, safety valve, generally 150 psi, open and warm water flows in the channel through the pressure relief valve.

The first signs of a thermal expansion problem is a call to a customer, angry that the pressure relief valve hot water continuously pouring hot water. The potential liability to the water authority, but much more serious than the waste water from an angry customer. We are not the customer, the Water Authority, and many experts that, long before the 150 psi safety valve, pressure is dangerous to keep a regular water heater, Taco heating valves, fittings, equipment and systems supplied by … Two or three a day.

The problem:

The “good old days” before the appearance of a cross-connection control, water, which exceeds the capacity of the water heater has flowed back to the Main City, where it was easy. But today, in return, water meters of the valve, and / or pressure
Without a bypass pressure relief valve is installed, the water covers the water heater, not return
supply to the city. This is now a closed system, and the expanded water has no place to go.
Since the water is not compressible, a rapid and dangerous rise in pressure generated in the boiler and piping system, similar to the hydraulic ram.
The setting is a safety valve is rapidly reached and the valve opens, water loss from the kettle.

The safety valve once or twice a day, which is not only economical, but also dangerous.
The T & P valve is designed for emergency control, not a plant, and this steady
Operation may cause premature due to the fact that the valve.
What most people do not realize that dangerous conditions may be well before the expansion of the pressure relief valve operates. Internal pressure in the middle of a recurring crash recovery periods in a flue gas heater, which is dangerous to the presence of deadly carbon monoxide, or even a boiler explosion.

The solution:

The best solution for the thermal expansion is the pressure to establish a normal and safe operation of control and well below the emergency setting is a safety valve. This is achieved by
makes it possible to install an expansion tank, thermal expansion is shown, but not dangerous
Pressure increase.

S extension to the scope of the doctrine of a closed compressible air cushion that acts as thermal expansion will be compressed into the room, and store the extra water added.
When the hot water system that uses pressurized air cushion forces hot water back to the system use … no waste.

How dangerous is the risk of uncontrolled thermal expansion?

It demonstrates that the thermal expansion, uncontrolled and uncontrollable, ruptured pipes and fittings, valves, blow, O-ring seals and valves, floating, or even drastically reduce the life of the heater as well. We have seen gas-fired boiler service center collapsed chimneys seen. Think of the liability for carbon monoxide poisoning, fires started by flames homes Roll-out, or the catastrophic explosion geysers.

Water heater manufacturers recognize the liability. Most large manufacturers warn customers stove when the stove is installed in a home with a backflow protection and the protected
no expansion pressure can be dangerous pressures arise to
Endanger life and property. In fact, a major manufacturer pointed out that, when installed in a house
and without an approved backflow thermal expansion pressure, life expectancy is only 6-13 months of the new water heater warranty is automatically void.

Solution of the thermal expansion

What is the solution for the expansion?
If the water authority does not do anything in order to adequately control the thermal expansion of the homeowner or service ignorant people to go their own way. After the exchange of continuous pressure relief valve in two or three times to believe, wrongly, that the safety valve is defective, it can try to bind the obvious solution for the pressure drain valve, the lever down, or completely removed. This is not a good solution, and actually increases the problem.

While the obvious fact that the system (ie, the dripping water), his only asset was removed from the shelter, and water heating is a potential bomb was stopped at the basement or utility room.

The other “solution” is that people can install a second valve in turn wired to a constant flow, relieve pressure on the lower level to protect the system from thermal expansion
Pressure. Again, this is not a good solution. The pressure relief valve is a safety device, and ideally never
be served. Common sense dictates, and water conservation, proper control of the thermal expansion does not lead to a continued decline in hot water.

Imagine the effect of 0.59 and a half liters of water daily for losses in municipal pipeline
200,000 homes.
The obvious solution to the thermal expansion pressure on the way to the plumbing and heating industry
operating successfully in hot water heating systems for 100 years … a pre-pressure diaphragm tank.

Pre-print Thermal expansion tank

The joint design of the thermal expansion tank hot water system includes a stop in a closed air space, forward pressure on the supply pressure in the boiler and separate water system in a bend of the membrane, installed in the air absorption and loss of the water system. The water contains a separate page with a rigid polypropylene liner, is connected to the tank walls from corrosion by
aggressive water. Polypropylene has been successfully used in water system pressure tank liners for 40 years.

The thermal expansion tank is installed in the supply line to the radiator. As already under pressure
Weight to ensure the water does not enter the tank. Since the water is heated, the expanded water is forced
The tank, the diaphragm down, bent, compressed in a closed air-cushion. Since the air
Cushion compresses, the pressure rises. When the hot water in the container get the system back to
used. The water is not wasted, and there is no waste of heat energy.

The knowledge, the connection to increase the amount of air pressure, the tank can be sized to increase the pressure to limit the safe edge. Recovery is complete, the final print will be clear at
Under the safety valve setting. For example, an F-4-liter bottle of thermal expansion and the standard fee prе be safely treated as thermal expansion of the water volume of 120 l of 160 degrees
(71 ° C), the domestic water temperature, up to 80 psi inlet pressure.
The expansion tank is a low-cost, easy to install controls that the solution to the problems of thermal expansion, and it provides drinking water service apartment is equipped with valves tools.

All codes are national borders, including the Uniform Plumbing Code (1991 edition), has now approved the installation requirements for thermal expansion control device.

Each local water authorities and water companies charge
Implementation and enforcement of codes, the valves, to carry out the local regulations
The text of the L-mode code for mandatory requirements of the expansion of prevention. This
must be taken to protect the water users’ lives and property, and just as important to the setting of the water supply may be liable for damage caused uncontrolled expansion.

What to do with PEX tubing?

Today, it is difficult to imagine a device without the use of PVC plumbing fittings and pipe, which literally swept the domestic market, as well as Used in Different Agricultural Technology. Increasingly, the replacement of old cast iron systems giving way to the PVC and polymeric materials. And in many ways this situation is justified, since their installation easier, and less chance of breakage.

But even without this PEX tubing is present lots of advantages:
- Low cost compared with steel and cast iron counterparts.
- Long service life, which starts from 50 years and more, while the life of Copper pipes is only 10-20 years.
- Resistance to corrosion and lack of contamination by iron impurities.
- Low heat dissipation that is best suited for installation of radiant heating systems.
- A small mass, which is much easier process equipment, plus everything is no need to buy a tractor for transporting.

According to the companies involved in the delivery of such products, PEX tubing are perfectly safe for consumers’ health, as was proven by “numerous studies of the Ministry of Health.

Fittings for plumbing: PEX Couplings

PEX fittings are vital to ensure the installation of the PEX tubing systems. One of the most important fittings is the PEX coupling that is increasingly being used to connect the ends of various PEX piping. PEX couplings are of utmost relevance when it comes to connecting the PEX tubing systems.

The most commonly used materials for the PEX couplings are plastic and brass. Out of these two types, plastic PEX couplings are primarily used to check the pressure. The main purpose of PEX couplings is to ensure secure installations by bending tight corners, changing sizes and splitting branches. Straight connectors are the most basic types of PEX couplings that are increasingly being used to various connections of toilets and faucets.

There are basically two types of connections that are being used which include the crimp connection and clamp connection. Copper crimp rings and crimp tools are used for the crimp connection, whereas, clamp tools and stainless steel clamps are used for the clamp connections.

PRO AQUA

Under the brand name PRO AQUA Egoplast implementing a comprehensive supply of materials for domestic heating and water supply. As is known, the use of materials and equipment one brand is a guarantee of compatibility and reliability of all elements of installation. Given this, the company took care of the diversity of its range. Supplied the following materials: polypropylene pipes and fittings, plastic pipes, made in Germany, press fittings for the installation of a copper pipe (Italy) and other products needed in working with pipes of various materials.

PRO AQUA Products are certified in accordance with Seattlen standards. Moreover, in 2006 water systems PP-R PRO AQUA were insured by Insurance House VSK that clients an additional guarantee of reliability.

What you know after installing PEX pipe

The specification should be found repair supply PEX pipe and fittings, given the difficulty of obtaining high-quality joints of PEX pipe of various materials.

The project must necessarily include a section “Operation” with a detailed description of techniques and equipment to carry out preventive and routine repair, because the current service operation are not yet prepared to work with new materials of PEX pipe and a little familiar with their features.

When installing the PEX pipe must comply strictly with the rules of transportation and storage of PEX pipe and equipment.


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