pex or copper in concrete?

tonyk

Hello,

I have a boiler with base board heat. There is a  4 ft. piece of copper pipe which is buried in the the concrete slab in the area under my front door. It has developed a  leak and I was wondering if it is better to use Pex or stick with the copper.  I will be recovering the pipe with concrete when the leak is repaired.

Also, if I use pex are Shark Bite fittings a good way to connect to the existing copper pipe.

Gordy

Pex

In concrete is better. All though copper lasts a long time, pex will outlast copper with the use of fly ash, and other chemicals in today's concrete mix its hard on copper.

Steve Whitbeck

PEX

PEX is better but for a short run just run the copper pipe inside a rubber hose to keep it off the concrete. That way you don't have to buy any special connectors.

tonyk

Pex or copper

If I use pex, or copper should I cover it with a hose? or I was thinking about using pipe insulation or some kind of foam wrap to allow for expansion and to insulate it from the concrete

hot_rod

pipe wrap tape

would be fine, insulation would give you a hollow space in the concrete.



Most plumbing and HVAC suppliers have this tape.

Ironman

Shark Bites...

May be okay if the copper is clean and not out of round. Personally, I wouldn't do it. I'd go with the appropriate press fittings. Pex moves form thermal expansion and contraction and may cause an issue with the O ring in the long term.



If it were accessible, that would be a different scenario, but considering the possible cost of redoing it, I'd go with a proven method. If you don't have the tools, you may want to hire a pro.



Also, make sure that you use o2 barrier pex. It does make a difference.

Paul48

Pex & Connections

No buried connections.

tonyk

Type L copper

If I use copper, I was thinking about using coil that way no joints under concrete. If I go that route, would type L be OK? or would I have to use type K

Steve Whitbeck

Use L

L would be just fine.

I remove old leaking piping and install new L copper pipe. I insulate the pipe where it may contact the concrete.