Mobile home supply line replacement

[mikemc53]

OK, I have an older mobile (1994) with all supply lines of the grey polybutylene type and each is 1/2 CTS X 5/8 OD. None of the lines currently leak, but none of them have shut-offs so if I ever want to repair/replace sink or toilet parts I need to shut down the whole system.

Without going under the home and just working with each sink (3) and toilet (2), what is the best replacement or transition method? Should I go with PEX after cutting the poly? If so, what is the best connection method?

I have used sharkbite type fittings on a lot of copper to cpvc and copper to copper and I really like them - but rather costly. I am looking to do this as cleanly as possible and want opinions on the best and most efficient approach - including push fittings if that is what folks recommend.

Thanks gang.

 

[CountryBumkin]

You can still get shut-off valves for toilets and sinks that fit PB pipe at HD. There are also fittings available to splice PEX to PB (in case you don't want to replace everything at once). I have a home built in 1990 with the PB pipe. Never had a leak but I decided to replace the PB on my schedule (not when a pipe breaks).

I started at the water inlet, added a PEX manifold and now I'm replacing the old PB one room at a time. I'm just leaving the old unused PB in the walls (abandon in place). With a manifold, it makes it easy to isolate each room/function.

I don't like the sharkbite fittings, but they work. I use the ProPEX with the "expandable fittings" (which requires a special tool http://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-U...nd-Expander-Tool-with-1-23-41-heads-2412000-p ) but it's fool proof. The crimp ring style are fine too (cheaper but have some drawbacks. IMO).

 

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[Reach4]

http://www.apolloflow.com/faq says
Can I use PEX Pipe fittings on Polybutylene (PB) Pipe?

No. The inside diameter of PB is different than PEX. There is a ½" and ¾" coupling that you can use to transition PB to PEX. One side of the fitting is designed for the PB and the other for PEX.

http://www.pexuniverse.com/pex-x-pb-polybutylene-coupling-kits are examples of couplings made for the job.

ProPEX (PEX-A) is quite good, but PEX-B pipe, such as Apollo is significantly cheaper and is very good.