Opinions: Best termination system for \"pex\" piping?

Weezbo

i prefer rehau for larger tube, Wee wir.. uponor for 1" down to 3/8" dont really like the 5/16ths however i have pumped it on 3/8th and it seems OK for quite a while now...no. i did Not say dash out and do it im just sayin...it works so far ...

i apologise for being inconsiderate ....my buddy kept his vanguard crimp tool...me i made sure to lose it and the quest ring tool.... however,,, he swears by it he did an independent test ran the pipe and fittings up to like 400 psi ;)) thats how my buddies are no respect :)) the wee wir...uponor fitting went south... the vanguard crimp ring no Know the difference :)

Saggs

Looking for opinions on the best (most reliable etcc..) way to terminate "pex" type tubing for heating systems. I have used the Wirbos piping and method (expansion tool) for a few years now but am not sold on it. I've seen joints leak that have been straight on w/ no side stress or pull on them. Sometimes a little heat to the connection will help but often you have no room for error. Any thoughts on other piping systems or terminations would be a great help. Thx

Rob_34

Rehau Everloc system is the most reliable IMHO.

Rob

Saggs

I'm not familiar w/ rehau system? Is it priced about the same as Wirsbo? Any web sites for it?

ALH_4

Video

Rehau has a video showing their plumbing connections.

Video

Mitch_6

Fostapex from Viega

especially using the Ridged pro press.

Mitch S.

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S Ebels

Another vote for Viega

Not only on the Fost-Pex (PAP) but also their crimp sleeve on regular pex. Far different than just a ring, it's a stainless steel sleeve whose depth about equals the diameter of the tube you're using. Available from 3/8" to 1 1/2" tubing size. We've used their system on all sizes of tube in systems containing clear water to 50% glycol. No leaks, no drips, no nothing, it just works and works well. You can press 3/8 through 1" with their hand press tool, 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" must be pressed with a ProPress tool using pex jaws from Viega.

I have to say that before Viega caught up and made the large bore pex available, Rehau was my first choice. Their EverLoc fittings are just that. They stay locked forever. We pulled 250' of 1 1/4" tube through a 4" underground conduit using my van. We couldn't budge it with three stout lads yanking on it and couldn't get it back out either. Figured we had nothing to lose so we lashed the rope to the tow hook and yanked it through. The everLoc fittings held.

I don't use Everloc's for everyday use on normal diameter (1" and down) tube because they are much more cumbersome and slow to use than the Viega system is. We've experimented with pressures up to 150PSI on the Viega press sleeves and they held that pressure for 24 hours. There is also a difference in the Viega fittings in that they have more "rings" on the fitting than any other manufacturer that I have seen. The raised rings or barbs if you will, are what give the fitting its "bite" into the tube.

I'm waiting for Viega to introduce their PAP product in 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" and I will throw the torch away.

hr

To be frank

I have been crimping Wirsbo Hepex with basic copper crimp rings for about 15 years now. I just don't have problems with a properly aligned and crimped connection. I've used 100's of thousands of feet of Wirsbo tube with Sioux Chief, PHP, Alberta T-Drill, Watts Radiant, Vanguard and a few other crimp ring manifolds. I never did buy a Wirsbo expander tool, after seeing the cold weather hassles

To me if the fitting, and the ring meets the standard it should, and does work fine.

I have been going with a bunch of FostaPex lately also. It has all the nice features of a PAP tube, although it is not a PAP, but I really like a fitting that doesn't depend on o-rings for the seal. Easier to solder, no worry about cut or slipped o rings, and as the others mentioned that nice stainless steel dual crimp ring.

It is the toughest tube for jobsite abuse also. it doesn't get those small kinks when walked on while installed over rebar or remesh. It is a full sized pex tube inside with an aluminum and pe wrap for O2 and protection.

I did have to buck up for 4 new crimp tools, but they are high quality, lifelong tools.

hot rod

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Saggs

Thx to all for the input. Hot Rod, what are the "basic" copper rings you said you use w/ the wirsbo hepex tubing? Just wondering what type of rings and crimper would work for this tube. Do they come in all common sizes? I just checked out the Rehau video that Andrew Hagen posted. Looks pretty substantial as far as the joints are concerned. I do have some concern that you may not be able to get the tool down inside a piece of baseboard to press the brass slip ring onto the expanded barbed fitting joint. I know when doing some older home retrofits it's kinda tight where you have to snake the baseboard piping.

Bob Bona_3

that can

be tricky. You have to pre fab a little on baseboard in tighr places. I found that unhooking the brackets and removing the backing plate temporarily to access the crimp works. Slide the backer back behind the element, and snap the brackets back into the backer. It's a process and must be done in a particular order. But it works for me.

BTW this was for PAP coming out of the wall, not the floor.

Dave Belisle

Wirsbo for me

I have differant PEX tool systems in the truck.... but I still go back to Wirsbo and the rings. The big reason ??

We do a number of hydonic systems with copper drops from the radiation and install right angle PEX adapters up in the joist. With the new energy codes if your piping is not above the insulation you have to insulate all the pipes below the joist , and that is even if the foundation is insulated.

I can do my expanding down in front of me and have time to install the PEX onto the fitting up in the joist bay where it is almost impossible to get a tool.

Dave in NH