PEX Tubing Problems

One rarely gives much thought to what kind of plumbing materials are used in a home. Plumbing is perhaps the most neglected home support systems. We pretty much take for granted that a plumbing system will maintain itself. Though that is clearly not so! It requires regular maintenance and good choice of piping materials can reduce your plumbing problems. The most important part of a plumbing mechanism, besides the fixtures is the piping. There are two prime choices when it comes to deciding on the piping material. The traditional choice is copper piping, while a newer alternative is PEX piping. Though the advantages of using this material in plumbing are well advertised, there are certain inherent PEX tubing problems, that need to be looked into. In this article I'll talk about some of the disadvantages and limitations of using PEX tubing in your plumbing system.

About PEX

There was a period when metal was a mainstay in almost every home furnishings. That metal dependability is passe now, with the introduction of polymers and especially plastics. Polyethylene is one such polymer that is most widely used. A new derivative of polyethylene is PEX. It is polyethylene reinforced through cross linking.

The cross linking makes the new product a lot more stronger than its source material. PEX can defy high temperatures (up to a temperature of 200 degree Fahrenheit), chemical corrosion, shows durability and strength. It can also defy low temperatures up to the freezing point. Most importantly the product is flexible and PEX tubing installation is simpler, compared to copper pipes.

Problems With PEX Tubing

While PEX tubing has a versatile nature, it has some minor shortcomings. One problem is the expensive tools required for repair and PEX pipe installation, but they are only a one time expense. Here are some of the prime PEX tubing problems.

PEX Cannot Be Recycled
Although plastic recycling is possible, one of the PEX tubing problems is that it is non recyclable at this stage. Through my research, I did not find any way in which PEX can be recycled. Non recyclable items can become difficult to dispose off. This problem remains to be solved.

Rodents Love It
One reported problem with PEX tubing is that rodents love it and like nibbling on them, which may create leaking problems. Of course, this problem can be easily taken care of using pest control methods. Hire a professional to clean up the rodent pests as soon as possible.

Helps Bacterial Growth in Stagnant Non-Chlorinated Water
In water supply systems that are not chlorinated frequently, there is a possibility for bacterial growth in stagnated water within PEX pipes. You may not face a problem if water stagnation is not an issue in your plumbing system and it is in frequent use. This problem can be prevented by periodic sterilization procedures that clean out the PEX pipe interiors.

Not Meant For Exterior Use
Unlike copper metal piping, PEX piping is not meant for external use. It can be buried underground in concrete in radiant floor heating installations, but it is not meant for external piping applications. The reasons for this are two fold. Though PEX tubing is designed to withstand a range of temperature from freezing point to 200 degree Fahrenheit, it cannot handle extreme variation in temperatures. In winter, as the temperature drops substantially below freezing point, PEX tubing hardens up and may turn brittle.

Also, in summer, an exposure to solar radiation may adversely affect the material. That is why, manufacturer's only recommend indoor or underground use. So, see to it that PEX tubing usage is limited to interiors.

As you can see, there are some PEX tubing problems that you need to be aware of. There is always some amount of risk involved in making a choice of materials. Choose one which comes with the minimum amount of risk while thinking long term. PEX tubing, despite the above problems of minor nature, is substantially cheaper than copper and easily replaceable which explains why it is in high demand. Since the pros, outweigh the cons, it is better to opt for PEX tubing.