Oxygen Barrier Question

hot_rod

some manufacturers had decided to not list to the potable standard anymore to save the cost associated with the listing. The pex as far as I know has not changes. Only the printing.

I noticed both Wirsbo and Watts have dropped the potable listing from the barrier tube.

I'd worry more about the CL listing (chlorine) :)

hot rod

amhplumb_2

Oxygen Barrier Question.

I read a few of the posts regarding oxygen barrier PEX tubing for Hydronic systems, and I have a reverse question.
After nearly thirty years of running only copper tubing for domestic waterlines, and copper & steel for hydronic, last week I "took the plunge" and used PEX on a job for the first time! My question is if you had to in a jamb, could you use a piece of the oxygen barrier PEX for domestic water applications? The guys at my supply house said no, but didn't have a reason why not. It also had stamped on the tubing "not for use on potable water." However, other than the fact that the oxygen barrier costs more, does anyone know why you shouldn't? I don't intend to use it on domestic lines I'm just an old copper guy being curious!

Tom Hopkins

Man I hope you're wrong!

Because I did all my potable water with leftover PEX radiant O2 barrier tube.

No wonder I have nose bleeds, beer taste like dirt and everything has sort of a pink halo around it... (:-o)

Maybe I should just drink beer?

Poor me.


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Doc Radiant

Yes, as long...

...as the barrier tube has the needed certifications for domestic water use. In many cases, the only difference between a manufacturer's "plumbing Pex" and "heating Pex" is that the heating products have the barrier applied.

Joe Brix

Well.......

...I have....

*looks around cautiously*

...used barrier pex occasionally in potable lines....

*takes another quick glance around*

....when I needed a short piece here and there.....

*one more nervous look to each side*

....and wanted to use up some leftover "scraps" of barrier tubing.

The manufacturer doesn't certify it for potable use, only because they don't want to bear the burden of the cost of doing so, and I don't blame them. It's the same pex, comes off the same extruder machine, just doesn't have the barrier applied.

Starch........I mean........anonymous.

Jed_2

Man, what a

Silly response. Your having you're nose bleeds, because you're always in the stratosphere, try to come up with "cutsie", caustic remarks to simple, innocent questions, from people looking for answers, to questions that are obviously beneath you.

Now, Jim Erhardt; there's a man.

Jed

Troy_3

Domestic water pex

I seem to remember that they also run some kind of gas through the tube used for domestic water. Isn't that right. I could be wrong.

Tim Doran_4

More than listing costs

In the case of pex A it may be that the barrier pex would not pass NSF testing. The barrier locks in some of the chemicals from the manufacturing process that normally off gas with non barrier pex. Take a new 1000 foot coil and hold a match at one end while blowing in the other and you may see what I mean. The gas will snuff out the fire in short order.

In the case of the CL listing the jury is still out. In my opinion it is a marketing tool developed by a particular resign manufacturer to show case one particular resign. Under normal operating conditions chlorine is not an issue for any type or brand of pex.

Tim D.