Pex Piping In Attics

There s been a lot of debate over pex for the last several years because pex has a few downsides that you might not expect.

Pex piping in attics.

When running pipe from a slab to an attic use cross linked polyethylene tubing or pex instead of copper. Pex tubing or piping is used for water supply lines as well as radiant floor heating. Pex is available in a variety of lengths from short 10 foot pieces for small repairs to rolls over 500 feet long which are used to install a home s entire water supply system. Foam is used most commonly and generally works well.

What is pex plumbing. Because pex piping is flexible it is often used in angles loops or other non linear shapes which makes it imperative to have equally flexible insulation material. Pex plumbing is cross linked polyethylene which is a type of plastic. Yes the cold water is hot in the summer very hot in fact due to the heat of the attic.

Pex type is forgiving when it freezes as far as breakage but insulating an exposed water line does little to keep it from freezing. Sometimes they have been insulated makes very little difference to the temp on a july or august afternoon. The surface of pex piping can become grimy over time so before insulating you should take just a few minutes to clean it off. It may give it an extra hour before it freezes solid.

Cross linked polyethylene tubing better known as pex pipe has revolutionized plumbing installations in new home construction and remodeling. While pex does not ordinarily burst in the cold the water in the pipes can still freeze. Insulation only slows the time when it will freeze after the water is not running through the pipe. Pex cpvc poly back in the day even copper in the attics etc.

Such as at night if the attic temp is 15 deg f. A wet rag should easily wipe away any visible dirt or debris. Pex is semi flexible which allows for long continuous runs through joists and studs.