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Is it OK to use old Uponor PEX?

Javelin
Javelin Member Posts: 158
in Plumbing

Hi All,

I'm redoing our master bathroom and am planning on using old Uponor PEX A tubing. It's probably about 4 years old.. it's been in plastic inside of the original shipping box in the basement. It's the original red/blue colored kind. I read online that Uponor now makes PEX that is all WHITE with blue/red lettering instead of the whole tube being colored.

So my question is.. if you were me.. would you still use it? Or should I buy the new white version with colored lettering.. There is already a lot of the blue/red PEX in the house and has been functioning dutifully for the past 10 years..

Thanks for your input!

Comments

  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 531

    If it were me, I wouldn't use it at all. There are a scary number of incidents about Uponor failures, but it's not confined to the color pipe. The white pipes also develop cracks and leaks.

    I realize percentages say you won't have a problem, but I wouldn't use it. No explanation was ever given by Uponor to explain what the problem was or is or if it was corrected. They've been mum on this and quietly paying for repipes in many but not all situations. Was it a bad batch? Bad storage? Bad installation? Bad water?

    But I've digressed here.

    As far as your concern about aging in the storage box, as long as it wasn't exposed to UV, it will be roughly as good as new pipe.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,279

    Are you using it for potable water vs heating? That does not sound like the oxygen barrier version you need for heating but if it is for potable water it is fine.

    ethicalpaul
  • Javelin
    Javelin Member Posts: 158

    Thank you both… To add some clarity - this is for residential potable water (not heating system). And all connections of the PEX A are cone with copper crimp rings on brass fittings. Does that change anything? Max - you say you wouldn't use it at all… You mean not Uponor? What about other brands? Supply house (where I got the Uponor) also has a PEX A by a brand called Bluefin… Any better?

    While I understand I can probably go PEX-B because of my crimped connections (Not expansion), I like the better flexibility of the PEX A.

    THank you in advance!!

  • Larry Weingarten
    Larry Weingarten Member Posts: 3,788

    Hi, It's a bit off topic, but why not go with expansion fittings? You get less flow restriction with them.
    Yours, Larry

    MaxMercyILikeEmOlder
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 7,469

    An interesting thought experiment is: If you had installed it 4 years ago, would you tear it out today?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • Javelin
    Javelin Member Posts: 158

    Larry - no expansion fittings just because I didn't have the pro auto-expanding tool and the manual one looked like more of a pain.. As it turns out, it seems I might be better off having used the crimp connectors in regard tot he Uponor red/blue pipe? It SEEMS to be from what I'm reading is that issues are really with expansion fittings on these particular colored pipes and/or related to higher chlorine in the water?

    I'm in Philadelphia with city water… according to PWD - Chlorine is max 2.6ppm

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,279

    The manual expansion tool works well for smaller sizes like 5/8" and less. It is quite a workout for 1" (which is 3/4" id). At the larger sizes the fitting get so expensive it might be better to do it in copper anyhow.

  • Javelin
    Javelin Member Posts: 158
    edited April 1

    I'm ok with copper crimp fittings.. I'm already familiar with the process, have the tools and a bunch of fittings…

    Am I correct to assume though that from what you've all heard that the Uponor color pipe issues really had to do with the EXPANSION fittings? I still will probably get clear PEX-A for the new project just in case, but want to rest easier with all the old blue/red copper crimp supplies I have elsewhere…

  • bjohnhy
    bjohnhy Member Posts: 109

    It's okay to use. If it had been exposed to UV then it would not be. I would personally use expansion fittings.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,279

    Doing some googling, sounds like it is an issue with the tube and how they colored it. I would contact uponor and see if they will tell you how to identify the runs they had problems with. If they really are paying for repiping and what you have is the problematic product that is uninstalled then they might just give you a replacement so you don't install it.

  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 531
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1850656#Comment_1850656

    I wouldn't use Uponor brand PEX at all. I've never seen an official explanation as to why Uponor fails and seems to be the only one that does, however infrequently.

    I greatly prefer copper (sweat joints) but if I had to do any plumbing with plastic, I'd use Legend Valve's PE-RT. I think it's chemically simpler than PEX and I believe (pure guess) it should hold up longer than any PEX. Legend guarantees it 100 years which of course means little. If you want to stay with PEX, I'd probably go with Sioux Chief.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,342

    @Javelin said: "I'm in Philadelphia with city water… according to PWD - Chlorine is max 2.6ppm"

    Go Birds!

    Screenshot 2025-04-01 at 9.13.13 PM.png

    'Nuf Said!

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,588

    It should be fine to use. If it was stored properly and has not been exposed to sun light its fine.

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