Is it OK to use old Uponor PEX?
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
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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.
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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.
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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!!
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Hi, It's a bit off topic, but why not go with expansion fittings? You get less flow restriction with them.
Yours, Larry
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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/3sZW1el0 -
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
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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.
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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…
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It's okay to use. If it had been exposed to UV then it would not be. I would personally use expansion fittings.
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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.
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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.
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@Javelin said: "I'm in Philadelphia with city water… according to PWD - Chlorine is max 2.6ppm"
Go Birds!
'Nuf Said!
Edward Young Retired
After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?
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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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I like EthicPaul's logic. Used Uponor for my entire house, then I just used some 4 YO Uponor HePEX out of the same batch for a run to a new kick plate heater. No problems with either.
The only thing I don't like about Uponor is that the Oxygen barrier is around the exterior of the pipe.
Someone referred to a bunch of failures that I am unaware of. In keeping with most everything built/made…none of it is 'made like it used to'. Please fill us in with the details of failures.
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There were some failures in specific locations in the country, seems to be a combination of issues. When stuff like this happens the manufacturer generally has to pay for it doesn't matter who is at fault. Watched this happen to Triangle Tube in my region, contractor modified the boiler and it released CO into the house, TT had to pay for it. I've been selling Uponor wholesale since it was available in the US and I have never seen a pipe failure, I've seen one cracked fitting that upon investigation was too close to another fitting making it impossible to have expanded the pipe without the tool being inside the fitting that eventually cracked. That being said why on earth you would use a PexA when you are putting crimp fittings on is beyond me, you can use them of course the approval is on the pipe, but at that point may as well use less expensive pipe.
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For what it's work, this PPI webpage about PEX has a lot of good resources, new content being added regularly: PEX Pipe and Tubing
As long as the tubing was stored properly, "shelf-life" is practicably indefinite.
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You should use Uponor expansion fittings and rings. This ensures a warranty, which is pretty much a standard in the industry—the pex, fitting, and clamp form a 'system'. All have to be from the same manufacturer to have a warranty.
You should not use any standard insert fittings. The inside dimension of pex A is not consistent due to how it is manufactured. It is why the expansion type fitting is used.
As far as the age of the pex, there is a 25yr warranty . I don't envision that as a problem. I'm sure iunless its exposed to some kind of unusual external conditions/substances, you will be fine. The pex will out live you. 😊
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I'm sorry but I disagree.
As far as warranties I cannot comment.
However,
The expansion system is used with type A because it can be and It cannot be used with types B and C. If memory serves, you can expand type A pex because of it's "memory" and the fact it'll shrink back to it's original size predictably.. The same reason rolls of it tend to straighten out on their own.
However, crimp rings etc can be used with type A just fine. You must use the proper fittings for each method, but out of all of them type A pex can be used with all systems.
Personally I prefer the expansion method, however I have used quite a few of this style rings with type A pex as well.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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Several B manufacturers now certify their PEX B pipe to be compatible with F1960 expansion fittings, as is PE-RT pipe.
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