Can't find Aqua PEX anywhere. Alternatives?

[Tony1997]

Hello-
I'm in the middle renovating my house and I have been trying to get my hands on some 1/2" Uponor PEX A (Aqua PEX) but no one seems to have any in stock. I decided to go with PEX A (Uponor in particular) based on all the good reviews, hoping to avoid future issues. I even purchased the expander power tool.
In case I can't find Uponor Aqua PEX, is Bluefin a good brand? Supply House has Blue fin but shows the 1/2" Aqua PEX as discontinued. Are the fittings compatible from one PEX A to another?
I really appreciate any help I could get.

 

[Breplum]

Technically, you can use any PEX A tubing, including Viega PEX.
You just don't get the warranty if you don't stay with a single mfr. But, the Uponor warranty only applies to trained Uponor installers anyway (a training certification is required).
Contact Uponor rep for stocking wholesalers.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[JohnCT]

Hello-
I'm in the middle renovating my house and I have been trying to get my hands on some 1/2" Uponor PEX A (Aqua PEX) but no one seems to have any in stock. I decided to go with PEX A (Uponor in particular) based on all the good reviews, hoping to avoid future issues. I even purchased the expander power tool.
In case I can't find Uponor Aqua PEX, is Bluefin a good brand? Supply House has Blue fin but shows the 1/2" Aqua PEX as discontinued. Are the fittings compatible from one PEX A to another?
I really appreciate any help I could get.

Have you tried local plumbing supply houses? Many sell over the counter to non-licensed people, but not all.

If not, you can buy it here:

https://www.completeplumbingsource.com/uponor-wirsbo-petubing-white-972

John

 

[wwhitney]

Supply House has Blue fin but shows the 1/2" Aqua PEX as discontinued.

I don't see that, I see white in 100 ft and 1000 ft lengths, and blue in 100 ft lengths. Eg:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F3040500-1-2-AQUAPEX-Blue-100-ft-coil-2193000-p

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Reach4]

In case I can't find Uponor Aqua PEX, is Bluefin a good brand? Supply House has Blue fin

The bluefin is pex-B.

shows the 1/2" Aqua PEX as discontinued.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-F2040500-1-2-AQUAPEX-Red-100-ft-coil-2184000-p
I think "discontinued" may not have been the word they should have used, since the next line says backordered. I would interpret that they don't want to take orders for future delivery, but they probably intend to carry the product when it becomes available.

Are the fittings compatible from one PEX A to another?

I think yes. The fitting size spec is F1960 for the expansion fittings. https://www.pexuniverse.com/types-of-pex-fittings is a useful table but it does not list Apollo Pex-A, tho that is a fitting table, and not a tubing table. I don't find red Sioux Chief pex-a tubing.

This would be what you would want then, I think: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Apollo-1-2-in-x-100-ft-Red-PEX-A-Pipe-in-Solid-EPPR10012S/310850439 I suggest you don't dawdle if you want that.

https://apolloflow.org/apollo-pex-a-pipe/

 

[Jadnashua]

The pandemic and slowdowns has messed up supply chains everywhere for lots of products. You've probably noticed the prices on lumber products. It may take awhile for things to get back to 'normal', but it is what it is.

PEX is UV sensitive, so take note of how the stuff is stored if you can. It's generally only rated for 30-days of cumulative UV exposure.

 

[Tony1997]

Thank you all for suggestions and tips. I appologies for not responding quicker; had to deal with some health issues in family and forgot about all else but thankfully things are back on track again. I was finally able to order the white uponor pex A along with their fittings from supply house so I guess originally I had just checked in those few days they were out of uponor. They still didn't have the blue and red kind and another site that had listed them got back to me and said they won't be able to get the blue/red and cancelled my order. White should be fine though.
I am thinking of hiring a real plumber after all though. Turns out the real puzzle (literally) is putting together the drain system and keeping it code friendly if I'm to change the layout in the bathroom. I do have to ask a few questions about the layout to see if making a change is possible at all, however I'm thinking to start a new thread with correct subject line so maybe others can utilize that info in future as I've done with existing threads on this forum.
Thank you

 

[Reach4]

This seems to explain the disappearance of red and blue, and the appearance of red-print and blue-print Aquapex.

https://www.classaction.org/news/di...agued-by-cracking-defect-class-action-alleges