Pexgun, winner of the 2017 Innovation Award, will once again have a booth at the upcoming AHR Expo. The Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) is the largest, international HVACR Marketplace. The AHR Expo will be held Monday through Wednesday, January 14 through 16, 2019 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
Visit Pexgun at booth C5724!
Check out our Innovation Award video!
]]>Whether you’re repiping an entire house or constructing a brand new heated driveway, PEX is more affordable, faster to install, and generally more durable than both CPVC and copper piping.
However, as PEX tubing is still a relatively new plumbing material in America, many home insurance companies are skeptical of construction jobs that want to utilize it.
Insurance companies are most concerned with their bottom line in the event of a catastrophe, and when it comes to disasters, the water-related kind are one of the most expensive.
“In the engineering profession, we understand that it is rare for one single problem to cause a failure; rather, it is the combination of two or more problems that lead to the major accidents. Many times, accidents occur when one party does not communicate with another. With PEX, the owner, contractors, builders, maintenance personnel, etc. must be aware of the system configuration and have a plan for interacting with the system,” explains InsuranceThoughtLeadership.com.
One of the most common but avoidable problems with PEX tubing installation (especially for DIY jobs) is the tendency to cut corners on the fittings. Cheap brass fixtures made overseas and sold in giant home improvement stores may save money in the short-term but they’re known to lead to an expensive problem: dezincification.
This term simply means that zinc content in the brass fittings (an alloy of copper and zinc) is too high and corrodes away during frequent exposure to water. When this happens, the brass fittings are weakened significantly and more likely to leak or burst, causing significant property damage.
While dezincification is a very serious problem that must be avoided at all costs, it shouldn’t drive you away from the use of PEX tubing all together. All plumbers must do to avoid dezincification is to insist upon the use of low-zinc brass fittings or “engineered plastic” fitting components.
Once you’ve got the right fittings in hand, remember to do yourself a favor and order a PEX GUN to make installing PEX tubing up to five times faster.]]>In an earlier post about the PEX plumbing revolution, we hinted at the many ways PEX tubing is superior to other plumbing materials. We told you to stay tuned for a post that would take a more in-depth look at this advantages and guess what? This is that post!
Before we dive into the benefits of installing PEX tubing, it’s important to pay homage to the plumbing materials that came before. Thankfully, we finally learned that lead was a terrible material for plumbing, so the two most popular alternatives became:
A durable and relatively flexible metal, copper piping has been around for many decades and is still used in both new and existing construction. Copper piping is known for being biostatic, which means it fights back against bacterial growth that can occur in plumbing. Because it’s unaffected by ultraviolet rays, copper can also be used in outdoor applications. The only downside is that copper can corrode over time, it has become quite expensive, and it can freeze and burst in cold-weather climates.
CPVC stands for “chlorinated polyvinyl chloride” and is also a popular alternative to copper plumbing. There are some important reasons why CPVC holds less than 15 percent of the plumbing market share, starting with its rigid nature. Unable to bend around corners, CPVC requires scores of joints and fittings to allow it to wind through the bowels of a structure. Each joint and fitting slows down the installation process and increases the total cost of the job. Rain and high humidity are hard on all of these CPVC connections, and sun exposure can cause them to fail, so outside applications are a no-no.
Now let’s discuss the ways that installing PEX tubing can help consumers avoid all of these problems and more.
Because it’s not rigid and made of plastic instead of a costly metal, PEX tubing offers great cost-saving advantages. It’s lightweight nature and ability to be coiled make it easier to ship and store, reducing costs for contractors, plumbers, and DIY home improvement warriors.
Because PEX tubing can bend and wind around a structure, it requires far fewer joints and fittings. This reduces installation time drastically.
Unlike copper, PEX tubing resists corrosion, pitting, and scaling, giving it a longer lifespan in outdoor applications.
Unlike CPVC plumbing, the connections that do need to be made in PEX tubing don’t require the use of dangerous chemical glues or solvents that could potentially contaminate a potable water supply.
PEX is much more resistant to bursts and breakage in cold weather than copper or rigid plastic pipe. This makes it ideal for the radiant heating of driveways and sidewalks in cold climates.
These advantages make it easy to see why so many more plumbers are installing PEX tubing these days. Remember, if PEX is becoming a large part of what you do, it’s important to use our PEX plumbing supplies to make your installation process easier.
Check out our PEX GUN and other accessories that will turn you into PEX expert.
]]>The first thing to understand about PEX tubing is that while the different selections are separated into “grades”, this isn’t exactly a measure of quality. Rather, these “grades” refer to the way that the PEX was manufactured.
This type of PEX tubing is produced using Peroxide. This style of production is known as the “Engel” method because it was invented by a man named Tomas Engel. This is generally considered to be the most flexible of all the PEX types; it has absolutely no coil memory and any kinks that do appear in the tubing can be fixed quickly with a heat gun. As such, PEX-A is the most expensive grade of PEX tubing.
This type of PEX tubing is produced via the "Silane" or "Moisture Cure" method of cross-linking. PEX-B is manufactured by a large number of companies and thus is one of the most commonly available. PEX-B is known for being very resistant to chlorine and oxidation, and has the highest bursting pressure. It’s slightly stiffer than PEX-A but it’s also quite a bit cheaper. Kinks in PEX-B can only be repaired by splicing using coupling.
This type of PEX tubing is made using “Electronic Irradiation” method of cross-linking, also known as "Cold" cross-linking. It’s known for being softer than PEX-B, as well as more environmentally-friendly to manufacture. While it’s the least resistant to kinks, PEX-C has little to no coil memory.
No matter which grade of PEX you decide to work with the most, make sure you do yourself a favor and install it with the help of our time-saving PEX plumbing supplies!]]>While they have many redeeming qualities, copper plumbing pipes are expensive and can be clunky to work with. For many decades, plumbers just dealt with these issues as a cost of doing business, but in recent years a new alternative has emerged. PEX tubing is far less expensive than other options, making it very attractive to contractors and consumers on budget.
“A 2012 comparison showed PEX pipe was the least expensive among plastic pipes, costing 43 cents per foot compared to the most expensive metal, copper pipe, at $2.55 per foot,” explains Angie’s List.
However, any time you’re cutting prices you have to wonder about whether you’re cutting quality as well. Since installing PEX tubing has a direct impact on the drinking water of a home or business, people definitely want to know whether PEX is safe.
If your clients are asking questions about PEX tubing and water safety, here are some pertinent facts you need to know.
Complaints from a small percentage of customers who’ve had PEX tubing installed in their home mostly revolve around strange smells or tastes.
Researcher Andrew Whelton, an assistant professor of civil engineering at Purdue University, recalls a situation in which a homeowner had PEX tubing installed at their multi-million dollar home, then called the contractor complaining about a gasoline-like odor emanating from the faucets in a certain bath water.
“By testing tap water from the home, Whelton's team discovered that toluene, a solvent used for plastic resin synthesis was present above levels where odors would be detected. The level of solvent, however, did not exceed health standards,” reports Angie’s List.
As you can probably guess, this issue is concerning for both homeowners and contractors who’d rather not be sued for contaminating someone’s water supply. So what do industry safety tests reveal?
According to the Plastic Pipe And Fittings Association, PEX meets all safety standards of the The National Sanitation Foundation, which conducts 21-day tests of a wide variety of plumbing materials to see if they leach contaminants into the water. Still, some researchers, like Whelton, say more extensive testing must be done to pinpoint the causes of odors and funny tastes reported by homeowners.
Not only is PEX more flexible, less susceptible to erosion, and easier to install, these superior attributes also translate into more affordable pricing for both plumbing contractors and consumers. But the pipes that carry grey and black water out of a home or business aren’t the only applications for PEX piping.
Let’s take a look at other types of PEX installation that might come as a surprise.
Clients who’re interested in radiant floors are prime candidates for PEX installation. In a radiant flooring system, warm water is forced through PEX tubing installed beneath the floorboards. This is a very popular option in cold weather climates where people want uncarpeted floors but don’t want to feel like they’re walking on ice cubes.
Watch a video of radiant floor heating installation with a PEX GUN below!
Also popular in cold weather climates are snow and ice melt systems. Who wants to spend their whole ski vacation shoveling snow or clearing icicles off of the gutter system? Installing PEX in concrete, asphalt, or sand pathways and driveways eliminates the need for constant snow removal. Much like a radiant flooring system, PEX tubes are installed under outdoor walkways, creating heat that melts snow and ice before it has a chance to accumulate.
Once a building is complete, we rarely spend time thinking about the foundation. Until a problem arises, that is. If a building is located in an environment that experiences sub-zero temperatures, freezing soil can create issues for its foundation. If allowed to continue, the expanding effect of this permafrost can create cracks or entirely destroy a concrete floor. Once again, PEX installation can be a simple answer to this costly problem. When combined with thick insulation, a radiant heating system created with PEX tubing can allow the soil to maintain a constant, above-freezing temperature.
In most residential environments, plumbing pipes run up from the ground, underneath the floor, and sometimes in between walls. However, pipes don’t always have to be under your feet. In a situation that demands plumbing be rerouted, PEX installation is called for.
“When running pipe from a slab to an attic, use cross-linked polyethylene tubing, or PEX, instead of copper. PEX is semi-flexible, which allows for long, continuous runs through joists and studs. Long runs reduce the need for tees, elbows and other fittings where leaks may occur,” explains SF Gate Homeguides.
As you can see, simple ground to appliance plumbing is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to PEX installation. If you’re looking for a way to grow your plumbing business, and branch out into other plumbing applications, utilizing PEX could provide a simple and affordable way forward.
As always, we’re here to answer your questions and provide you with top-quality PEX supplies that make your installation that much easier.]]>You already know the benefits of PEX plumbing and have been excited to see how many different clients are embracing this affordable and easy-to-install plumbing technology.
You’re already leaps and bounds ahead of other plumbers and contractors who still insist on using copper piping, but are you making things harder on yourself than they need to be? As we detailed in a previous post, the PEX GUN makes a plumber’s life easier in a plethora of ways. The GUN makes PEX installation faster, safer, and better for your health.
Don’t do things the hard way. In order to be a truly advanced plumbing professionals, there a few more PEX supplies you need to add to your arsenal.
As we mentioned above, the PEX GUN is a life-changing tool for plumbers who work with PEX on a regular basis. Instead of securing PEX tubing by hand, a time-consuming process that puts both the pipes and your hands at risk, the PEX GUN was designed to apply, twist, and secure galvanized steel wire wraps in one second or less.
Learn more about the PEX GUN here!
It’s not every day that a plumber gets to feel like James Bond, but with the PEX GUN holster belt there’s definitely going to be a little extra swagger in your step. This holster is designed to hold your PEX GUN when your hands need to be free for other tasks. Made using double-lined ballistic nylon, it’s guaranteed to withstand the harsh conditions of any plumbing job.
Learn more about the PEX GUN Holster here!
Rounding out our selection of must-have PEX plumbing supplies is the PEX GUN Extension Arm. Bending down to tie your PEX to rebar or wire mesh once is no problem. But thousands of times a day? Your back is going to be screaming at you by quitting time. Save your back with this lightweight PEX pipe tool that allows you to stay in a standing position.
Learn more about the PEX GUN Extension Arm here!]]>In recent years, however, the PEX plumbing system has continued to grow in popularity. Because it’s even more flexible than copper, requires fewer time-consuming fittings, and is cheaper to ship and store, plastic-based PEX piping has become a preferred choice for plumbers and contractors alike.
PEX plumbing is still fairly new to the public, and from time to time you might be asked a question about the PEX plumbing system that you’re not really sure how to answer. That’s why we’ve put together this brief list of frequently asked questions! Armed with these answers, you’ll be able to handle inquiries from any source.
At the end of the day “better” is a subjective judgment, but there are a few reasons why we think that PEX plumbing systems deliver superior performance over more traditional materials. For one thing, PEX is cheaper than copper by about 60 percent. This can save both the plumber and the end consumer some serious cash. PEX plumbing systems are also faster to install, won’t corrode, and less affected by acidic water than copper pipes.
In most cases, PEX plumbing systems do not require special installation tools. “You can use stab-in or compression fittings to make the connections,” explains FamilyHandyMan.com. Crimp rings, cinch clamps, and cutting tools are also necessary for PEX installation, but these are standard residents in most plumbing tool boxes.
Although it’s not required for PEX installation, we’d also recommend adding a PEX GUN to your arsenal of plumbing tools. This PEX pipe tool was specifically designed to help you install PEX pipe five times faster than it can be installed by hand. With the PEX GUN, your crew will be able to tie two or three wraps of galvanized steel wire to a PEX pipe, automatically twisting securely, in one second or less.
The answer to this is “maybe.” Contrary to popular belief, there is no national plumbing code. This means that each state, city, and even village has the authority to decide for itself which plumbing systems are acceptable, and which aren’t. It’s always a good idea to check the local regulations before installing a PEX plumbing system.
PEX tubing is available in three colors: red, white, and blue (patriotic, right?). These colors are meant to make it easier for the PEX installation expert to keep track of the hot and cold lines. Typically red is for hot water while blue is for cold; white PEX tubes can be used for whatever you wish.
Unfortunately, it’s not recommended that you connect PEX tubing directly to the water heater. Instead, it’s best to use at least 18 inches of copper piping up from a water heater and connect the PEX tubing directly to this pipe.
Need answers to more questions? Contact us today!]]>For far too long, the only options for reliable indoor plumbing were metal and...more metal. Copper is arguably the most popular option for plumbing, still preferred by many plumbers and contractors. The reason for copper’s long stint as champion of the plumbing world is that it’s easy to install, durable and flexible, resistant to bacterial growth, and can be recycled.
However, copper is quickly being pushed aside for a new player on the plumbing scene: PEX. As we discussed in a previous post, PEX is water piping that’s made of crosslinked polyethylene, a common type of plastic.
If you’ve already embraced the PEX revolution, and are loving how much easier it is to install, get ready to feel even happier. We offer one of the most essential PEX pipe tools for any plumber looking to offer this type of installation: the PEX GUN.
Here are three ways this PEX pipe tool will change your life:
The PEX GUN is an automatic PEX pipe tie tool. It was specifically designed to help you install PEX pipe in a fraction of the time it would take by hand. The PEX GUN works by tying two or three wraps of galvanized steel wire to the PEX pipe, automatically twisting it for a secure fit in one second or less.
The PEX GUN works up to five times faster than manual tying and delivers over 2,000 wire ties per charge. The tension and wrap adjustment dial allows you to achieve the perfect tie every time, with no risk of pipe dimpling.
Can you imagine how your hand would feel if you attempted to tie hundreds of PEX pipe twists in an hour? It’s no wonder that many plumbers who do this end up suffering from carpal tunnel injuries. Save your hands and be more productive with the PEX GUN!
Shop our full selection of PEX pipe tools today.]]>Unless you’ve been living under a kitchen sink somewhere, you might be new to the PEX revolution, but don’t worry: this post is designed to catch you up to speed!
First, let’s talk about the name. PEX is an acronym for crosslinked polyethylene, a common type of plastic. In recent years, this revolutionary plastic piping has provided a much-needed alternative to metal pipe (copper, iron, lead) or rigid plastic pipe (PVC, CPVC, ABS) plumbing systems.
Because plastic is lighter and more flexible than any of the metal plumbing options mentioned above. PEX tubing is easier to ship and store, translating to lower costs for the consumer.
PEX plumbing is capable of making 90 degree turns without the need for cuts or elbow fittings. This means that PEX installation is much easier and faster than plumbing jobs that require metal piping.
These are just a few of the most obvious benefits of PEX installation. Stay tuned for a more in-depth post on the benefits of this revolutionary plumbing tool!
PEX installation will require you to have some new tools on hand, and that’s where PEX GUN comes into play. It’s our goal to be your #1 online source for PEX plumbing supplies, making it easier for you to deliver the affordable, reliable plumbing installation that your clients want.
Shop our full selection of PEX installation tools today!]]>