Does anyone use Watts Radiant?

kevin coppinger_4

it once when a homeowner provided the tube, insulation and manifolds....It was a slab install and was fine...I did like the manifolds..kpc

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Ted_9

If you do or have, what are any pros and cons.

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jesse the great

Ted

I use it on a regular basis
Pros
1) the manifolds are very nice
2)joining method is quick
3)havent had a leak yet

Cons
1)you need a seprate crimping tool for each size of tubing
2)if you use the tubing for baseboard loops in some situations you cant fit the tool to in a space to crimp it
3)you cant bury a fitting in the ground
4)I dont trust the onix stuff

i personally dont like it ,I myself am a wirsbo guy

Ted_9

Right now I use Viega and Caleffi products. They are great, but some job have to be priced competativly so I'm looking for a lower priced quality product. I am thinking of using the pex and compression stuff only, not the crimp or barbed fittings.

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jesse the great

Ted

> Right now I use Viega and Caleffi products. They

> are great, but some job have to be priced

> competativly so I'm looking for a lower priced

> quality product. I am thinking of using the pex

> and compression stuff only, not the crimp or

> barbed fittings.

>

> PATRIOT HEATING & COOLING,

> INC.

>

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> HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=

> 343&Step=30"_To Learn More About This

> Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in

> "Find A Professional"_/A_

jesse the great

Ted

I'm in mass also if you want i can go to your job and bid extermally high!!! mabe that would help

hr

A great company

love their manifolds. Soon they will be extruding their own pex here in Missouri, it's going through listinds now. Not sure how the $$s will work out.

I've been using copper crimp rings since the PB days of the '80. My crimp tools are probably 15 years old! They never leak, unless you forget to crimp them, are very affordable, fit any SDR brand, what's not to like?

If price is a concern then compression is not the way to go. A barb adapter and a ring is what 75 cents or less? Compression 2- $2.50 a pop?

Not at all impressed with that Odeker (sp) clamp. We see leakers on plumbing jobs frequently. The ONLY selling feature is the one tool. An ugly hand ripping clamp, in my opinion They don't seem to handle mis tolerance tube or import fittings at all, from what I have seen.

I also crimp all my PAP tube with the same rings and tool. Takes a special O ring barbed fitting, however.

Again I have 3/8- 1" crimp tools, customized of course, and I plan on using them until I retire. Hard to beat that investment.

hot rod

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Tom_35

Watts, Wirsbo, and Rehau

We've used these 3 brands and have not had problems with any of them. We do like the Watts manifolds a lot. No leaks on the crimp rings.

Concerning the Onix, it is the berries to use when you are in tight situations. We did a 5,000 sq. foot house last year that was all crawl space with rocks from golf ball size to baseball size. If we had used PEX, it would have taken so long that the guys would have been nothing but cuts and bruises.

I've seen pictures in magazines where Dave Yates and Hot Rod both have used Onix, and if someone of that caliber uses it, it's certainly good enough for our company.

Tom A

Ted_9

I like the looks of the manifolds too. The brass ones look like Caleffi manifolds. The stainless is nice too.

Thanks for the input guys.

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Ted_9

Thanks Jesse, I already took care of being the highest bidder.

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Rookie

I like Watts

I have used the crimping Technology since 1986, when we used it on polybute systems, since that time in Massachusetts to use pex for potable water piping you need a test house permit from the State. I'm not sure when they will approve the Watts Radiant Pex but it will happen. It seems sort of silly that they allow you to use it in heating application but not in plumbing, what the oxygen problem,ya right.In regards to Onyx don't knock it until you have tried it, I have had it in my own home for the last 6 years and I couldn't be happier, we have installed it in many homes with excellent results, the key is a proper heat loss and engineering, all of this is provided by Watts Radiant.In my opinion Watts Radiant is a fine company with a good poduct and knowledgable staff.

Leo G_99

Hey Rocky,

I've got them same crimpers. You getting to look like a tennis player too? You know, one forearm bigger then the other?

Leo G

Rookie

Your right Leo !

I have larger crimpers too,it little easier on the wrist but the smaller crimpers are great for tight locations. Your right you have to change hands once in a while or it will screw up your golf swing!
Beats inhaling that smoke from soldering, remember wear those safety googles!

ed_19

zurn

Is there a Zurn rep. in the area? I am just finishing my own system (running since December) and as the homeowner (instead of the contractor for a change) price was a factor. I had the Watts rep and the Zurn rep both figure a heat loss and price the material. The Watts rep carries Taco; the Zurn rep carries B&G. The heat loss calcs were pretty close. The watts rep kept pushing onyx, but I decided to go with the pex and plates (a good decision). The cost of the Watts tubing was about the same as the cost of the entire Zurn system plus pumps, tekmar, flanges, headers. I basically got everything from Zurn, less copper pipe and fittings, solder, labor, and hangers for the same cost as just the Watts tubing. I used crimp fittings and had to get the Zurn crimp tool, which is expensive, but the Zurn system seems to work great.

Ted_9

The onyx is a bit more than pex, but i supposed to reduce labor time. I personally do not use onyx tubing.

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Dave Yates (PAH)

two thumbs up!

To be fair, the level of support runs deep with both Wirsbo and Watts. Both are very user friendly with broad product lines. I use Wirsbo's design program most frequently and appreciate the ease of use as well as the flexability for changing design conditions as the homeowners flex their creative juices for changing floor surfaces in mid-construction.

However, we have also used many other brands and I have yet to find any that were a concern. We stick to oxy barrier tube and avoid the cheap knock-off stuff. The one draw-back to wanting to experiment with the diversity available - the ever-growing litany of misc. pieces and parts!

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Greg Gibbs

Tools

Watts now has one tool for ALL size pipe!

Greg Gibbs

Ted, Watts does have this new tool...

One tool for all size pipe...There are many folks in our area (Rocky's) now using it. Greg

Don Sippel

odeker clamp system

Has anyone heard of or have any documentation on any major problems with the Odeker clamp? If so please send to ddnksipl@charter.net

heatboy

Once............

and like all PEX-b, it's as flexible as copper. Can't imagine trying to shove it down a joist bay. I like the colour, though........

hb

Jimmy K

Red & Blue

I like the colors looks great when the job is finished.

vtheat

watts was always nice for flex but now i have tried a plastic much nicer made by hydronic alternatives. has duribilty of pes but flex like rubber