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Super Duper WAY OT- Anyone Ever Put In a Home Run Pex System Themselves?

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MaskedMarvel
MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,143
in EggHead Forum
Hello friends, I'm looking at replacing choked up galvanized. Pex looks cheap and easy.. Reliable.... And a home run system seems to fix a lot of pressure problems I've had as well. Videos make it look more than easy. Is this something a guy with almost no actual plumbing experience can tackle without too much trouble? Or should I just get a contractor and be done with it? What was your experience? Thanks. Sorry for the OT. 8-Damien
Large BGE and Medium BGE
36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
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    It is pretty straightforward. When you buy it get them to show you how to use the removal tool. Sharkbite connectors are worth the extra money

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • Skiddymarker
    Skiddymarker Posts: 8,522
    edited May 2014
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    I rented PEX tools from local tool rental place and within minutes had much better success than I ever had with copper. I was not doing a home run system, just a small addition. Using manifold delivery will negate almost all pressure issues from what I've seen.  
    Delta B.C. - Whiskey and steak, because no good story ever started with someone having a salad!
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  • cortguitarman
    cortguitarman Posts: 2,061
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    Yes. It is super easy. I replumbed my parents entire house. Didn't use home runs, but it wouldn't be hard to do so.
    Mark Annville, PA
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  • rcone
    rcone Posts: 219
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    Take your time, and it is pretty easy. The sharkbite fittings mentioned are very nice, but to expensive to justify. 
    "Feed me, or feed me to something; I just want to be part of the food chain" Al Bundy

    LBGE, SBGE, Carson Rotisserie, Blackstone Griddle  

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
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  • yzzi
    yzzi Posts: 1,843
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    Yeah let me know if you need my advice. image
    Dunedin, FL
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  • Stidrvr
    Stidrvr Posts: 54
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    Not to barge in but when you guys reran the PEX did you run it up through the walls as well? Or just what you had access to, like in the basement? If so how did you handle the connections? As in when the pipe was cut wasn't the section that went up into the walls loose?

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  • MaskedMarvel
    MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,143
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    Actually better response than I was expecting. Thanks guys.

    Is there any pipe slapping in the walls when you just feed them though and don't secure them to the joists?
    Large BGE and Medium BGE
    36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • cortguitarman
    cortguitarman Posts: 2,061
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    You won't get water hammer like you do with copper, but you should try to secure them. It will make noise but won't be as loud. When I did my parents house, all of the plumbing for the entire house went up through the garage wall, so tearing put sheet rock on the garage side made wasn't an issue. If you are connecting to existing pipes in the wall, you have to use shark bite fittings. If you need to tee off to another fixture, get inline manifolds. They keep the water pressure equalized. (Think flushing toilet and getting scalded by the shower).

    My only other experience with PEX is when I did my basement. It was unfinished so plumbing it was easy. Although, it does have 3 sinks, a toilet, and a shower.
    Mark Annville, PA
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  • MaskedMarvel
    MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,143
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    Sounds like getting my guy to do the line from the street into the basement is the only thing I really need.

    Large BGE and Medium BGE
    36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • cortguitarman
    cortguitarman Posts: 2,061
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    When I did mine I used blue and red tubing for hot and cold. It's nice if you have to open up a wall later. You know what lime you are looking at and tapping into.
    Mark Annville, PA
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
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    rcone said:
    Take your time, and it is pretty easy. The sharkbite fittings mentioned are very nice, but to expensive to justify. 
    My impression was he was just running one line.

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • MaskedMarvel
    MaskedMarvel Posts: 3,143
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    cortguitarman said:
    Yes. It is super easy. I replumbed my parents entire house. Didn't use home runs, but it wouldn't be hard to do so.
    Did you just leave the old pipe in the wall?


    Little Steven said:
    rcone said:
    Take your time, and it is pretty easy. The sharkbite fittings mentioned are very nice, but to expensive to justify. 
    My impression was he was just running one line.
    It's a whole house replumb.  :/
    Large BGE and Medium BGE
    36" Blackstone - Greensboro!


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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
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    Sorry, I wouldn't use the sharkbite then.

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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