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Author Topic: Broken Pex  (Read 5863 times)

Michael

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Broken Pex
« on: March 22, 2015, 03:12:02 PM »

I used 1" PEX worx pipe to finish my plumbing two years ago. In the last two weeks I have had two leaks. The pex had broke at the fitting. It seems very brittle when I replaced it and one other fitting had cracks close to it.  My grundfos pump was locked up this last time. I did take it apart and got it to spin but would it be trust worthy. It is also two years old and ran 24/7.
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Big Wood

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2015, 05:29:26 PM »

What temp is the water you are running through it
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Michael

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2015, 06:38:12 PM »

175 low 185 high
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RSI

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2015, 09:47:15 PM »

What type of fittings did you use? Do you have well water?
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Michael

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2015, 05:42:33 AM »

brass crimp and yes to well water. the other brand of pex  I have had no trouble
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slimjim

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2015, 05:43:06 AM »

I think I would be checking on the water quality as well as true temps. What brand pex is it?
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RSI

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2015, 10:36:10 AM »

Where it cracked, was covered or in a dark area? If not was there any sunlight or fluorescent lighting hitting it? Was it left outside in sunlight at all before installing it?
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atvalaska

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2015, 01:38:25 PM »

Michael

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2015, 04:18:37 PM »

Pexwork Non-Barrier First place it broke was in the basement next to my sump pump thankfully. Second place it was at the boiler where I had to use a short piece to extend my insulated pex and it was not in direct sunlight. Pump the water out both times. I did get the pump to work but will it only starts when it is on high (three speed pump) I am not sure of the insulated brand pex but I do have some Rifeng brand non barrier in my system.
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Jeff

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2015, 01:40:48 PM »

Michael,

Does it have any "Made In" marking? I am betting it is China. Does it say anything about NSF on the PEX? While PEX for hydronic use does not have to be NSF listed, if it is, then the facility,  will have met NSF guidelines.

Your PEX may not have been crosslinked fully. One of the dirty little secrets of Chinese PEX is that the crosslinking process, which for PEX B involves a steam chamber and hot water ran through it for 24 to 48 hours, is often skipped. This is particularly true for O2B PEX or when they know it is going to hydronic use. I believe they are betting that the end user will finish the crosslinking with their hot water. This saves them perhaps 2 to 4 cents per foot. I know this from sending samples of Chinese PEX for testing.

Jeff Zack
Owner,
Z Supply, LLC

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slimjim

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #10 on: April 12, 2015, 03:34:49 AM »

Good info Jeff, thanks.
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Jeff

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #11 on: April 13, 2015, 08:46:09 AM »

Thank you slimjim. Of the many, many PEX manufacturers in China, only 2 are NSF Listed.
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Michael

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #12 on: April 13, 2015, 01:53:04 PM »

I did not fine any markings on the PEXwork pipe and I ordered it from Outdoor  Furnace Supply when I got other parts that I wanted.    And Jelf my insulated pex came from your company and had on issues with it. Thanks for your help.
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Jeff

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2015, 06:30:44 AM »

Michael,

Would you send me a piece of your failed PEX?

Jeff Zack
Z Supply, LLC
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LittleJohn

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Re: Broken Pex
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2015, 10:03:55 AM »

How about some picture??

...cause it would be interesting to see the failure
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