Wirsbo vs. Zurn vs. Watts vs....

Rocky_2

thats why I only use Wirsbo. Have all their tools, and have never had a problem with their product. However, I know that if I ever did, they would make it right no ifs ands or buts.
Rocky

Rodney Summers

plastic tubing - which one?

I'm trying to weed out the sales hype from the facts and need your positive commentary, as well as any horror stories, regarding both hot and cold potable water tubing manaufacturers, as well as radiant tubing for "in concrete" applications.

A price for non-barrier PEX in 1/2" @ 19-cents a foot was bantied about and turned my head real fast when I got the latest quote for my beloved copper.

Zurn's Qest product seemed to be a price leader. Question? Is the stuff any good?

For barrier, radiant type, Zurn's stuff also seemed a price leader.

I'd love you comments about the product itself, the fittings and adapters, as well as any insights you could share. That retirement house in VT is beginning to take shape and I'm the materials specifier.

Either here, or in an e-mail, could you share your thoughts on brands and costs, performance and nuances that may make me look like I have a clue about these things?

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Mike T., Swampeast MO

Ken Secor asking about plastic? Sure hope the sun rises tomorrow!

grindog_4

tubing

i use stadler viega with alot of success price is resonable and there are all sorts of options to chose from. They also make fostapex wich is a ridgid type of pex and it stands up pretty well. Wirsbo is another good one.

As far as zurn goes i havent heard much all i know is that you can buy it at lowes and it comes in blue or red so you can color coordinate it

Dave Yates (PAH)

OK, that's it for me....

I'm switching to all scorched air. I just checked outside and it's not snowing here, but some hot spot somewhere has to have frozen over!!!!!!

C'mon in Ken, the water's just fine(G). They're all good my friend when used properly in the correct application that falls within their operating limits. E-me for more specific questions re fittings, etc...

Gary Hayden has been doing much research on PEX and fittings here of late and you may want to corner him too. I had an opportunity to glance at an article in PHC News(???) today on PEX that looked like it had a lot of interesting info. Unfortunately, a glance was all I could spare today, but I shelved it in the "reading room", so it'll get read one of these mornings. No name attached to the article, so it may be something contributed by a manufacturer.

Where's the time go? Hot weather and I'm pumping out both A/C and heating quotes. Cold weather's a coming(G).

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Unknown

PEX is not PEX

Ken,

I’ve used a number of species WRT PEX and here’s what I’ve found;

PEX A is what I’ve used extensively for the last 7-8 years. Have had no problems with it in either plumbing/potable systems or hydronics installations. Used quite a bit of PEX-AL-PEX as well from two different Mfgs. With the same flawless results. Different flexability for different applications.

I recently did another one of my “Garage Tests” on five different barrier PEX tubing Mfgs. I was shocked by the results and am now doing a rather large home that has three types of PEX tubing for two different system types because of it; (Wirsbo,Viega and Mr. PEX). The PEX C seems to be the better product overall (IMO) after subjecting the different tubing to numerous kinks and heat gun repairs as well as pull tests to breaking point. The EVOH barrier on PEX A seems to delaminate MUCH more easily than the barrier of the two PEX C products from my own tests. It is also much easier to pull and break a PEX A after a kink & repair as compared to The PEX C and I put these sections of tubing through hell before I could even damage them to a point that I would not leave it in a wall under pressure in any of my clients homes.

I think that Wirsbo (by far) has the very best fittings and accessories available in the industry. Gets better each year with new systems and options for all of my needs. (best training and darned good support as well) You can mix & match their offering with different PEX tubing as long as the numbers match up (most do). Strange that the only thing Wirsbo really makes is the tubing itself and best of all Ken it's made in the good ol'e USA:-)

Glad to see you are gaining a new found appreciation for a material that will benefit both you and your customers for a long-long time to come (3-500 years at least). Now let me tell you how much better my Viessmann condensing boiler is compared to those that you prefer to sell;-)

If you ever do decide to use PEX for work and profit (other than in your own house) I reccomend you get yourself a "Rock Un-roller" from Tools that Rock. Sounds German but, made in the USA :-)


http://free.hostdepartment.com/r/radiantfloors/

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SVDW

As a plumbing/heating wholesaler here in the midwest we've sold 1000's of feet of Zurn Questpex & no major problems. I ripped the scorched air out of my house & did a staple-up & tie down installation with the stuff & found it to be pretty easy to work with. It's a little stiff to work in joist spaces but with a little experience it's not that bad. I did have 1 or 2 kinks & worked them out w/ a blowdryer with good results. As far as fittings, I found the crimp style on the potable pex to be reliable. I've had guys using the stuff for a couple years & swear they've never had a leak due to the tubing or fittings. I have no reason to doubt them. We had a guy try to pull a crimp fitting apart & literally pulled the solder joint out of the pipe the crimp fitting was soldered into b/f the pex broke. I think it's a pretty good system IMHO. Good luck w/the retirement house & I hope this helps.

Rodney Summers

It helps a lot!

I must assume you are advocating Zurn's fittings, adapters, crimp fittings and crimp tool?

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