[Greenbuilding] Doing PEX myself

[George J. Nesbitt]

First you need to see if your building department will accept PEX, they
probably do where you are. Here in San Francisco and Oakland they are
less receptive, but when I asked they were open to me as a
contractor/homeowner installing it in my house.
     Second, would your plumber install it, some aren't open to new
materials, don't think they work, etc..
     PEX is a lot easier to install than copper or threaded pipe, you
have way less connections, and they are fairly simply mechanical
fittings. You will need specialized (expensive) tool(s) for the fittings.

     My big question would be how do you plan on installing it, with a
manifold and individual runs to each fixture? I would recommend against
this method, instead install a "structured plumbing" system. Structured
plumbing is very similar to a traditional truck and branch distribution
system, but the branches are kept to 10 ft or less, and 1/2'' or 3/8"
(preferable for everything except a tub, and wash machine) pipe, don't
make hard 90 deg bends (use long sweep elbows instead if using hard
pipe). The trunk should be 3/4" and run as close to each fixture as
possible, be as short as possible, and have a full sized return to the
water heater. All (trunk and branch) the hot lines should be insulated
with 3/4" wall R-5 insulation. And last, but not least install a Metlund
Demand pump, it's the only recirculation pump that will save time,
money, water and energy. Check out www.gothotwater.com for more info.



Jefro wrote:

>I'm in California.  Does anyone know whether I can legally install PEX 
>on my own, or do I need to pay a plumber to do it?
>
>thanks
>
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