I Need To Do Some Research / Catchup

bubbagoes

I've been semi retired for about 5 years, all the homes that I have plumbed, well I've only used copper.
I need to reseach some of the new poly piping because of the prices of copper, well you all know that. But any kind of poly or plastic in the house frankly scares the piss out of me.
But so does the price of copper.
I'm looking for some feedback and sites to explore where I can bone up and compare the diffferent approved systems that are now available.
Referrals would be appreciated.
Bubba

Vabuilder

hey bubba, like you I've been out of the plumbing business since the 80's but have kept up on the newer products. Personally, I won't do anything but copper. I think the potential liability of the poly's greatly outweigh the possitives. I know others that love the stuff because it's cheaper and faster but not me. I'm just getting back into the plumbing end of things and will only price copper. usually if you take the time to explain to the customer about the issues, they will go with copper. if not, one of the CHEAPER guys can have them.

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A gun in the hand is better than a Cop on the phone !!!

JamesNLA

That's right!!! I'll take em, everyday and twice on Sundays.
Do a search, there are literally hundreds of posts on this very topic. There is ALOT of informed EXPERIENCED points of view on all that is available...the "pros and cons" thread got rather massive, but you couldn't buy all the info that it contains. And the insults are amusing too!!

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"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

bubbagoes

Sorry,
I should have been more specific in my initial post. But what I'm looking for are some maufacturers or links to manufacturers where I can get toechnical information on the residential rated poly piping that is code approved.
A few years ago I talked to one of the guys at my supply house and he told me that there were two main systems, and gave me a quick rundown on both.
But since I'm an old fart I have forgotten most of it, and I like to get online and research myself, so if anyone can point me to some links, I would appreciate it.
I've been out of the country for about a year so I can't drop down and ask him again.
Thanks,
Bubba

JamesNLA

Ok, let me put it another way for you, DO A SEARCH......Seriously guy, this has been hashed out so many friggen times. Anything you could possibly want to know has been said, so the info is there. Can you do a simple search to find what you say you need?

__________________
"....And then we all switch places when I ring the bell"
-Adrock

Double-A

The main type of non-metallic tubing being used today is crossed-linked polyethylene or PEX, for short.

Zurn makes it, Wirsbo, Rehau and others do too. Do a search on this forum for some discussions on it.

CPVC is the only other non-metallic tubing being used that I'm aware of, but that has been around long enough that you two are probably aware of it.

Hope this helps.

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

bubbagoes

Yeah, Double A, thanks a lot, I needed a few names to do a search and you gave me what I needed.
Come to think of it, I have a friend that works in a plumbing supply house in Albuquerque that sells Wirsbo, but I had always associated that with in slab hydronic heating systems.
CPVC is NOT approved for interior residential work in New Mexico. I sure wouldn't want to have it.
I have been living in northeastern Thailand for the last 4 years, thats why I need to catch up again. All the houses here are built with blue PVC piping, and they think you need a "special worker" to work on it. They are catching on to P Traps though!
Thanks again

Dustball

Viega is what our plumbers use-

http://www.viega-na.com/

wrenchman

I'm with Va on this one, I rough copper, if they want pex they get another guy to do it.

Jayson12

I have been using pex for hydronic heating systems and it is great to work with. I will not install it in any potable water application for the fact it is many times more likely a home owner will start splicing into a pex line than they will try to cut into and sweat copper. I'm not even talking from a "losing work" standpoint, just imagine all the dumb things people will do with their potable supply when they feel comfortable working on it without knowing about back siphonage, back pressure, and starting contaminating the city water supply. I think every public potable water service should require some form of backflow preventer.