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The problem with PEX.

Dave Stroman
Dave Stroman Member Posts: 766
in THE MAIN WALL
The problem is PEX seals up around a nail hole so well that is sometimes takes months or years for the nail to rust enough to start leaking. Just went to a job I did 4 years ago. The flooring guys nailed a pipe and the wood floor finally started to buckle. The heat was going when they put down the floor so there was no pressure test during their installation. We found a leak and repaired it. I cut the manifold loose from the boiler and put a 100# test on it. All the tubing is still full of water so it took very little air to pressurize it. I keep loosing pressure. Just 3 or 4 lbs. in a days time. You would think that the high pressure would force the water out of any other nail holes. The floor is over a crawl space and all is dry underneath. No leaks on the manifold or gauge. Can not repair the floor until we are sure there are no more leaks. Could it be possible the air could be dissolving into the water?

Dave in Denver

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Comments

  • hr
    hr Member Posts: 6,106
    You are correct

    I've have the exact experience with nails in pex. Thin hardwood staples go quickly :) Usually in a years time.

    The better, thicker hardwood nail (cleats) can last years.

    Works a lot like installing a plug in a tubless tire. I'm amazed how well that thin rubber dtrip seals a tire at 70 psi or more!

    If there was one errant, rouge nail...

    I repaired 6 in a WarmBoard job that is now 4 years old and another section of buckled floor has appeared.

    Drug crazed hardwood installers. Maybe they couldn't see bright orange tube that day :)

    hot rod

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  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    well now thats the deal....

    even well placed brads shot straight through a piece of copper during finish work can take months to "surface" at times...it would be fine if screws and nails and tacks never hit one of the tubes...how about i even draw the guys Pictures drag them to the spots before hand,
    my all time favorite?
    twelve various "Hits" in one spot 1X1 square ft...:))) oh well foolish me why draw pictures drag them to the spot mark it on the walls and floors and waste my breath we say bye bye to those considerate contientious contractors and let the blessings be.
  • kevin coppinger_4
    kevin coppinger_4 Member Posts: 2,124
    not drugs....

    they just don't care....unless they have to pay big time...kpc

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  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,980
    I had....

    Some carpet installers hit some climate panel 9 times with their tackless. The lines were completely marked out on the floor covering and they showed up unannounced while noone was there.

    The water went through the ceiling below and dripped on the beautiful Grand Piano that had been moved to the entrance while the L.R. floors were being re-finished.

    Any nails that are shot in with a nail gun usually have some glue on them and it works real well for a while holding the water in any kind of pipe. I've seen the same thing with finish brads and copper piping. (boy, wasn't the cabinet maker P.O'd when the heat guy had to dismantle his handywork!Carpenter, I'm not!)

    Also remember the new wave of gas piping that can/has been snaked through walls for fireplaces and stoves! Milne keeps a sample in the shop as a gentle reminder. There is a nice nail in it!, but gas doesn't hold as nicely as water. Chris
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