Dealing with a catastrophe and need help with a PEX manifold

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Jesse Cutrer

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I know nothing of plumbing nor water systems and could really use some insight, advice, and suggestions.

What I do know is this whole PEX manifold needs to be replaced. Plugging the original leak and turning the water back on has busted another portion of the manifold and that's all I got. So what can I replace this with? I've been studying over countless manifold, but I have seen nothing that looks remotely like this.

IMG_20140610_074706_495.jpg
 
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hj

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quote I have seen nothing that looks remotely like this

That is because you have not been around many. THAT is exactly how manifolds have been installed for many, many decades. But the real question is WHY is it breaking, because there is nothing in the picture to tell why it would happen.
 

Jesse Cutrer

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So to replace this I would need both 1 inch and 1/2 inch tubing, (1) 1/2 x 1 x 1 tee, (1) 1 inch tee, (3) 1/2 inch tees, (1) 1/2 inch elbow? Would there be anything else I would need?
 

Terry

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You need to determine which piping you have, there should be a name on it.
You will need a crimpera and the proper fittings for it.
 

Jesse Cutrer

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That is a bit of an issue as the only readable part of the pipe says made in Taiwan. My grandfather explain that it was made of vinyl with aluminum and vinyl inside of it. The house is 10 year old this year and we have had to replace connector in the guest bathroom and now this manifold burst. We tried to plug the leak and turn the water back on, but it made another connector bust causing it to leak.

I have also been talking to the customer service rep for SupplyHouse.com, they were recommended by my uncle, and she has sent me this email back:

Hi Jesse,

To keep the installation easy, you may want to use sharkbite fittings. Here are some links:


1" x 1" x 3/4" tee: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U416LF-SharkBite-Lead-Free-Reducing-Tee-1-x-1-x-3-4
1" x 1" x 1" tee: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U374LF-SharkBite-Lead-Free-Tee-1-x-1-x-1
3/4" elbow: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U256LF-SharkBite-Lead-Free-Elbow-3-4-x-3-4
1" x 3/4" elbow: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U278LF-1-x-3-4-Elbow-Lead-Free
1" elbow: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U260LF-SharkBite-Lead-Free-Elbow-1-x-1
3/4" coupling: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U016LF-3-4-x-3-4-SharkBite-Coupling-Lead-Free
1" coupling: http://www.supplyhouse.com/Cash-Acme-U020LF-1-x-1-SharkBite-Coupling-Lead-Free


I think this about covers the fittings you would possibly need. With Sharkbites, you will not need a tool or any rings to fasten the fittings, these are really fast and easy to use. They are a little pricier per piece than some of the other style fittings, however, you do not have the up front expense that you would if you were to purchase one of the tools. Is this manifold for plumbing water or radiant heat?


Here are links to tubing if it is plumbing (potable) water:
3/4": http://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F1040750-3-4-AQUAPEX-100-ft-coil-2174000-p
1": http://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F1041000-1-AQUAPEX-100-ft-coil-2175000-p


Here are links to tubing if it is for radiant heat:
3/4": http://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-A1140750-3-4-hePEX-plus-100-ft-coil
1": http://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-A1141000-1-hePEX-plus-100-ft-coil

The tubing doesn't sound like it would be compadable with what I already have and she made no mention of 1/2" pipe or connectors.

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?
 

hj

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It sounds like it is PEX/AL/PEX which is no longer used for potable water.
You might find it difficult to fit that many Sharkbite tees into that area, unless you extend the risers so you can spread them apart.
But, you need;
a 1 x 1/2 x1 tee
a 1 x 3/4 x 1 tee
two 3/4 x 1/2 tees
a 3/4 x 1/2 x1/2 tee, and
a 1/2 elbow
 

Jesse Cutrer

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Sadly this is the third time something like this has happened and I don't think the fittings, pipes, or connection across the home are worth fixing anymore. I think it's time to convince my grandfather it's time for getting the home completely redone on the plumbing. I was hoping to prevent a massive expenditure, but if this keeps happening the house will be worth nothing and in the event I try to sell it no one will want such a liability.

Thanks everyone for the advice, suggestions, and comments. You guys are awesome.
 

Dj2

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hj,

At this point the OP has lost all confidence in his plumbing system, he knows that any fix will be a temporary fix.

Let me suggest to do a whole new system. May I suggest c o p p er?
 

Sluggo

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dj2-
I agree. I just had a 13-year old radiant heat manifold replaced. The Pex was going into a manufactured manifold that wasn't as iffy as the one posted above, but it used some type of O-ring seals and a couple of the seals started weeping. My radiant heat guy cut the manifold out, soldered up a new one entirely out of copper fittings, and reconnected the six Pex tubes with Sharkbites. It took him 1-1/2 hours and cost about $300. It looks bulletproof to me.
 

Reach4

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Sadly this is the third time something like this has happened and I don't think the fittings, pipes, or connection across the home are worth fixing anymore.

Have you had a pipe failure that was not at a fitting?
 

Ontario Plumber

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Looks like Kitec piping. Its usually orange but I've seen it in blue. There was a lawsuit against the company because of the issues with the piping. If it's Kitec then it will have aluminium on the inside of the pipe. Insurance companies won't even provide home insurance if they know you have Kitec piping. If it is indeed Kitec, then you have a big problem. Everything needs ripping out.
 
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