Outdoor Wood Furnace Info
All-Purpose OWF Discussions => Plumbing => Topic started by: Michael on March 22, 2015, 03:12:02 PM
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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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What temp is the water you are running through it
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175 low 185 high
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What type of fittings did you use? Do you have well water?
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brass crimp and yes to well water. the other brand of pex I have had no trouble
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I think I would be checking on the water quality as well as true temps. What brand pex is it?
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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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PEX worx (brand) is this the stuff? looks to be pex "b" or c at best ...sayz 25 year warranty... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1GT6P2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687782&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00B1GUPAM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AZCEVT1SCDVBPVJJ2R2 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1GT6P2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687782&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00B1GUPAM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1AZCEVT1SCDVBPVJJ2R2)
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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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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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Good info Jeff, thanks.
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Thank you slimjim. Of the many, many PEX manufacturers in China, only 2 are NSF Listed.
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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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Michael,
Would you send me a piece of your failed PEX?
Jeff Zack
Z Supply, LLC
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How about some picture??
...cause it would be interesting to see the failure
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Jelf I should correct my reply to say I had NO issues with your Pex. I still have some of the Pexworx that is new and I have a small piece that failed. If you want I will mail it to you. It broke both times at the edge of the the brass fitting. One fitting was vertical and one was horizontal.
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Michael,
Send it to me. Needs to be at least 16" total (cut is fine). Best if from the new as long as it is the same roll as the failed PEX.
Kind Regards,
Jeff Zack
Z Supply, LLC
1360 East Laketon Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49442