New Home Construction - Plumbing Part One

I titled this article "Part One", because there is much to be covered regarding plumbing. Today we talk about water supply lines that go in your new home. We will start with a product called Pex. It is rapidly replacing the use of copper for the new water lines at home.

Pex is the name given sector for a form of plastic pipes for water supply in a new home. The correct name is cross-linked polyethylene. A special production process has created a durable plastic ideal for use in water supply lines. PEX tube is made from a plastic created by molecules of high density polyethylene which have been stably connected together by a process called cross-linking. There have been attempts in the past to develop lines of plastic and these have met with varying degrees of success or lack thereof.

This time they realized right.Here is what the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing had to say about Pex Toolbase.org on their website (see link below):

"In parallel layout in which they are dedicated supply lines to a device, only two connections are used. Labor cost may be lower than installations of rigid piping systems.

There is no loss of heat from less than PEX there is to the metal tube. The tube of small diameter which can be used in plants parallel allows less water consumption awaiting delivery of the heated water.

Polyethylene has no VOCs and can be recycled.

Successfully used in Europe and the United States for over 30 years. Extensive testing and certification are carried out to ensure durability and resistance to the effects of high and low temperatures and chlorine. "

http://www.toolbase.org/pdf/techinv/pexhomerunplumbing_techspec.pdf

It 'important to note that Pex is approved by all the codes in the United States. The plumbing industry is rapidly embracing the product as proving to be far superior.

In a typical installation when using copper, power cords, and are placed under the foundation slab. The problem is that if it develops a leak under the slab, so you need to access the floor Jack Hammer to the loss, if you can find. Copper reacts with the cement and corrode over time if in direct contact. Hydraulic try to sleeve the copper where it passes through the foundation, but can not always be sure that in the placement of the concrete that the sheath has not been compromised.

Pex can be installed under the slab as well. When it passes through the concrete does not require a sleeve as it does not react with the concrete. We found the best way to install is overloaded. In our case there are no water lines in the foundation. Care must be taken to protect from frost when installed in this way. This course is not a problem as our entire attic space is insulated from the time that we apply our insulation to the underside of the roof (see my article, "Nothing Like Insulation Insulation").

Another advantage of PEX is that it usually is installed inside the house, a collector that is easily accessible. This allows you to turn off water to any device you want. If you need to do a repair of a faucet or install a new one, simply turn the handle to that device and labeled water is off.

The only downside that we see in Pex is that, as something new that requires training. Make sure your plumber is properly trained. The manufacturers of Pex send their field representatives for plumbers and train them on proper use and installation, using video clips, documents, technical and hands on demonstrations.

Here is a different water supply, 13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst, indeed, the water I give him will become in him water source. welling up to eternal life. "John 4, 13:14.

In our next article we look at other aspects of plumbing in the new house....