I'm considering purchasing a production home that will be built with PEX-A. The builder appears to be using Accor shutoff valves, which I'd plan to replace fairly soon after moving in. But I could foresee an issue with the stub-outs being fairly short meaning simply cutting off the old valve may not be possibility. My research indicates that removing the Accor valve could leave scoring on the outside of the pipe even if I carefully cut off the valve rather than using the "twist and pull" method. This could then preclude me from reliably using a new "quality" push-fit valve like a SharkBite if the outside of the pipe is not pristine.
One thought I had was that if the outside of the pipe could not be guaranteed to be pristine after removing the Accor valve, using a valve that inserts into the pipe might be a safer option. For sinks and toilets, I'm not particularly concerned with the amount of flow restriction that might occur by doing this, so this is a viable option for me. I'm thinking using an expander tool to insert a new valve might also work well if the stub-out is fairly short after removing the old valve.
I have plenty of DIY experience with simple CPVC plumbing and have replaced all the shutoffs in my current home with good results, but I'm new to PEX pipes and fittings so I'd appreciate any advice.
So, assuming it's not an option to have the builder install better brass valves during the build (I asked, it's not) what would be the recommended way to replace the valves after the fact, and what would be your choice for the type of valve to use in this case, also assuming there won't be much of a stub penetration (< 1.5") in front of the wall/cabinet wall?
Thanks for any and all opinions and advice!
One thought I had was that if the outside of the pipe could not be guaranteed to be pristine after removing the Accor valve, using a valve that inserts into the pipe might be a safer option. For sinks and toilets, I'm not particularly concerned with the amount of flow restriction that might occur by doing this, so this is a viable option for me. I'm thinking using an expander tool to insert a new valve might also work well if the stub-out is fairly short after removing the old valve.
I have plenty of DIY experience with simple CPVC plumbing and have replaced all the shutoffs in my current home with good results, but I'm new to PEX pipes and fittings so I'd appreciate any advice.
So, assuming it's not an option to have the builder install better brass valves during the build (I asked, it's not) what would be the recommended way to replace the valves after the fact, and what would be your choice for the type of valve to use in this case, also assuming there won't be much of a stub penetration (< 1.5") in front of the wall/cabinet wall?
Thanks for any and all opinions and advice!