weekendmechanic
New Member
Hello everyone,
I currently have 1/2 inch copper pipe run throughout my house but after 60-something years of use it's beginning to show it's age (pinholes and whatnot).
I have decided to switch to PEX and had a few questions about it:
I have a 3/4 line coming into my basement which then feeds to a water meter at 5/8. (This is stamped on the meter as well as the pipe is smaller than the service line) So I have a 5/8 pipe to start with.
First question: If I connect that 5/8 copper line after the meter to a 3/4 PEX line to use as a trunk what will this do to my flow (gpm) as well as my pressure?
Second question: My original understanding was to connect the 5/8 pipe after my water meter with a sharkbite connector to a copper manifold with ball valves on it and use a 3/4 inch line from the manifold as a trunk before Teeing off to 1/2 for each fixture. Does this seem like a good method for running my pipes?
Third question: I have steam heat so I use cast iron piping from the boiler to the radiators and I am not going to replace them. There is a 1/2 inch supply water line feeding into my boiler. Do I need to use pex with an oxygen barrier or is regular pex piping fine for this application?
Fourth question: How far should I place the PEX piping from the flue from the boiler and water heater? My understanding is that too close can cause the pipes to melt.
Last question: Are some PEX brands better than others?
Thanks for reading, this is going to be an interesting project.
I currently have 1/2 inch copper pipe run throughout my house but after 60-something years of use it's beginning to show it's age (pinholes and whatnot).
I have decided to switch to PEX and had a few questions about it:
I have a 3/4 line coming into my basement which then feeds to a water meter at 5/8. (This is stamped on the meter as well as the pipe is smaller than the service line) So I have a 5/8 pipe to start with.
First question: If I connect that 5/8 copper line after the meter to a 3/4 PEX line to use as a trunk what will this do to my flow (gpm) as well as my pressure?
Second question: My original understanding was to connect the 5/8 pipe after my water meter with a sharkbite connector to a copper manifold with ball valves on it and use a 3/4 inch line from the manifold as a trunk before Teeing off to 1/2 for each fixture. Does this seem like a good method for running my pipes?
Third question: I have steam heat so I use cast iron piping from the boiler to the radiators and I am not going to replace them. There is a 1/2 inch supply water line feeding into my boiler. Do I need to use pex with an oxygen barrier or is regular pex piping fine for this application?
Fourth question: How far should I place the PEX piping from the flue from the boiler and water heater? My understanding is that too close can cause the pipes to melt.
Last question: Are some PEX brands better than others?
Thanks for reading, this is going to be an interesting project.
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