What to use for plumbing supply lines....

[Russell J. Hensel]

Just did a job last week and the house contained polybutylene. I talked with the plumber and in my geographical region on the US, they are starting to keep poly and here is why...

CPVC gets brittle in the high temperatures of the attic and break very easily, the new PEX problems, the reverse osmosis water treatment makes pin holes in the copper and Poly is problematic...

The plumber asked me...tell me what to use and I will use it...the buyer decided to keep poly because it is just as problematic as anything else...

2011 and we can't make a plumbing line that is non-problematic.......too funny and sad at the same time.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

What PEX problems are you referring to?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

The only "PEX problems" are related to fittings that are no longer used. PEX would be my choice.

[Steve McRae]

Originally Posted by rhensel

The plumber asked me...tell me what to use and I will use it

Who is this guy?

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Does the house has a whole RO system or does it just have the smaller filters underneath the sinks?

Jeff

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by jpope

The only "PEX problems" are related to fittings that are no longer used. PEX would be my choice.

ditto

Most homes here can be re piped in a day, including drywall repair.

[Michael Roberson]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

ditto

Most homes here can be re piped in a day, including drywall repair.

Ditto

[Russell J. Hensel]

I think the point the plumber was making was that they ALL have flaws and who knows what the near future will bring.

Cape Coral Florida and Sanibel Florida use RO as their water treatment and it makes the copper lines corrode and causes small pin hole leaks.

[Aubrey J. Kahn]

Russell,
I think it comes down to personal preferences. My neighbor who is a plumber only re-pipes with cpvc another plumber I know will only use pex for re-pipes.

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Just did my son's house. It took longer to remove the old galvanized than it did to run new PEX, add new valves and insulate. No repairs needed as the PEX can make the turns gently and be snaked through existing holes.

But then it is much easier with a full basement where everything is visible and easily accessible.

[Joshua L. Frederick]

Originally Posted by jpope

The only "PEX problems" are related to fittings that are no longer used. PEX would be my choice.

Our Lowe's and Menards both carry QPex and MBPex brass fittings and many plumbers around here still use them (I do too). I'm assuming the problems you're referring to are the lawsuits. There's been no recall or settlement that I'm aware of.

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jfrederick

Our Lowe's and Menards both carry QPex and MBPex brass fittings and many plumbers around here still use them (I do too). I'm assuming the problems you're referring to are the lawsuits. There's been no recall or settlement that I'm aware of.

www.kitecsettlement.com

[Bill Smith]

Originally Posted by jpope

The only "PEX problems" are related to fittings that are no longer used. PEX would be my choice.

I'm starting to see problems with plastic fittings. One house had to replace all of the plastic fittings with brass after leaks happened.

[Joshua L. Frederick]

Originally Posted by Brian A. MacNeish

www.kitecsettlement.com

That link is for Kitec

http://www.nachi.org/kitec-fittings.htm

[Brian A. MacNeish]

Originally Posted by jfrederick

That link is for Kitec

http://www.nachi.org/kitec-fittings.htm

but as of early May/2011, there is a preliminary court settlement of $125 millions. Fairness hearings are set for late Nov/2011.