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Anyone heard of PEX springing pinhole leaks.

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lylekara
lylekara Member Posts: 2
edited April 29 in Radiant Heating

I have a hydronic system using automag valves. They do stick and (can’t seem to locate repair kits for the #25 1 inch.) I have a stand by stainless lined HW tank 6 years old. And a much older Buderas boiler. Is it possible that debris from boiler or tank is getting lodged in the pex and overheating to cause leaks. I do notice burn marks by the leaks. Seems implausible given the rating of the pex with my property’s 62 PSI. HW running at 140, boiler regulated to stay under 180 . The home is 25 years old and the Pex is rated far below what my temp are. Any ideas??

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,434

    not me anyway — and seems highly unlikely given the various possible degradation paths.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    lylekara
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,962

    is there strong sunlight where this pex is?

    if the fluid is not flowing it isn't going to be hotter away from the heat source.

    lylekara
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,282

    Whose Pex is it?

    Can you cut out a section of leakers and send it to the MFG.

    Have the water tested??

    Are the Pex leaks on the hydronic side or the potable water side?

    I ask because you mentioned 62psi.

    That can't be the boiler side.

    lylekara
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 3,045

    I have heard and seen it. Found it to be exposed to UV rays.PEX does not like UV.

    lylekara
  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 608
    edited April 29

    I've heard Uponor A is having all sorts of issues with pinholes and cracks. I won't use it again until I can be convinced it's fixed, but Uponor hasn't even acknowledged there's a problem.. In the meantime, I've been using Pex B and expanding it as long as it's F1960 certified.

    But I will add that I personally would never run any brand of PEX anywhere near 180F.

    lylekara
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,614

    Start with which PEX and why the high pressure on the heating side?

    Are there pits on the outside of the tubing? I have seen something similar caused by a welders slag during construction.

    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    lylekaraIntplm.
  • lylekara
    lylekara Member Posts: 2

    the the dark pits are on the inside. The rough surface is from first attempt to clamp it with vinyl tape and clamp. That stoped the last 3 but not this one which had 3 pin pricks. Had to cut it out and rejoin. The first 3 all on the hot side were in the boiler room. This last one was outside the boiler room and did a fair amt of damage. The automag valves are sticking open or closed and when open the hot side gets pretty hot but within the tolerance of this PEX (WISBO)

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  • J. WALTER BOOTH
    J. WALTER BOOTH Member Posts: 26

    we have not seen it pex but have had issues with brass fittings and too much chlorine in the water

    where i have seen leaks in the pipe was in the alumapex product right at the internal seam

    but that was many moons ago

    as for your automag need we have 1" repair parts in stock

    w

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