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Updated 05/21/19
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Plumbing Quality Issues ....
Did you know ....?
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A. Kitec is not the only form of PEX with problems -- Do an Internet search for 'PEX, lawsuits' to see problem examples: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=PEX%2C+lawsuits&t=ffab&ia=web According to PexUniverse.Com, NO form or type of PEX has been problem free: "Anyone with a prejudice towards one type or brand of PEX and fondness of another should know that not a single major PEX pipe/fitting system used in the US has been problem free." (...a partial list of examples): "PEX-A (Uponor/Wirsbo and Rehau): dezincification of fittings and chemical leaching/odor (AquaPEX only) PEX-B (Zurn & Viega): dezincification of fittings PEX-C (Nibco/CPI/DuraPEX): cracked, leaking pipes PEX-AL-PEX (Kitec/IPEX): dezincification of fittings" https://www.pexuniverse.com/problems-pex-pipe-and-how-prevent-and-fix-them -- Does it really matter which PEX type we choose....? According to GTGlobe, "a Manufacturer of High Quality PEX and Radiant PEX Tubing and Fittings": "......Whether the major manufacturers produce PEX A, PEX B, or PEX C, they all have the same certifications. All PEX cannot exceed 200°F constant temperature at 80psi. If all PEX manufactures have the same certifications, then why would you pay twice or more for a little more flexibility when YOU DON'T NEED THAT FLEXIBILITY ANYWAY? ALL PEX WILL MEET YOUR INSTALLATION REQUIREMENT..." "Differences between PEX A, B, and C" http://www.preferredzone.com/parts/PartImages/MultiplePIP/GTGlobe/Literature/GTGlobe%20Technical%20White%20Paper-%20PEX%20A%20B%20C%20Comparison%20and%20Information.pdf https://gtglobe.blogspot.com/ Be aware, that the quality of PEX A, B, or C types can vary significantly between manufacturers: https://www.houseneeds.com/learning-center/pex-tubing-radiant-floor-heating/pex-tubing-pex-pipe-comparison-by-type B. Water quality has a direct bearing on plumbing degradation -- "Combined together, these reports clearly suggest that the primary reason for leaching of chemical from PEX is over-chlorination of water. Conclusively, PEX is therefore, best suited for low- and non-chlorinated plumbing systems." "Possible solutions and preventative measures:
C. Contaminants can accumulate in our plumbing -- During my home's KITEC (a PEX product) plumbing era (2000-2016), I'd noticed a sticky, smelly residue in the water distillation chamber at the end of each process. After full house KITEC replacement with copper pipe, including the main supply line to city water meter, this yellow-green gunk never reappeared. Read about my Kitec replacement project: (Cost of my 2016 copper repipe for 1160 sq ft Millpond, including trench to city meter and new hot water heater, plus all building permits = $7500) https://ourimaginalcells.info/improving-water-quality.html Read myths debunked about distilled drinking water: ttps://ourimaginalcells.info/distilled-drinking-water.html The discovery, that water contamination was evidently occurring AFTER entering main water supply pipe to my house, led me to some very concerning research. "Why is our Plumbing Harming Us?" – Dr. Andrew J. Whelton, PhD; Purdue School of Civil Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv1EoUG0Hj4 (54 minutes) Cautions August, 2018 "There’s been a lot of debate over PEX for the last several years because it does have disadvantages that many people didn’t expect." "It’s for some of these reasons, there have been some discussions of a PEX pipe recall, but nothing has come of it." https://smartchoice.plumbing/pex-plumbing-disadvantages-what-you-need-to-know/ National Science Foundation study published in 2015 observed leaching issues for PEX types A, B, and C, from hazardous chemical contamination which can accumulate over time; this affected water may or may not, have a noticeable odor or taste: ”....Contaminants such as pesticides, oil, gasoline and benzene have a greater chance of permeating through PEX piping when compared to other types of piping, including copper, according to the research team." "Sixteen organic chemicals were identified, including toluene, pyridine, methylene trichloroacetate and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol." Highlights -- First US study detailing the impact of multiple PEX pipes on drinking water quality (!) -- Eleven regulated and unregulated contaminants found in a PEX plumbing system. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135414006289 ..... for now, "Bryant says homeowners with existing PEX piping should use carbon-based filters on all taps, and routinely flush all plumbing." Rebecca Bryant, NSF study participant and managing principal with Watershed LLC: https://www.angieslist.com/articles/does-pex-piping-affect-drinking-water-quality.htm "Crucial Information about Flushing Plumbing" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz3Y7rjnqEs (8 minutes) Copper or PEX...? "More than 9 outof 10 plumbing contractors use copper in their own homes..." https://www.copper.org/applications/plumbing/restools/cu_brchrs/why_chse_cu.html D. Home Insurance Alert -- "It is important to note that some insurance companies are now refusing to provide insurance on houses with PEX plumbing or requiring, for example, additional / higher premiums, re-plumbing / modifications, and / or an inspection(s) by a licensed plumber." May, 2017 http://www.isourcerealestate.com/blog/p/pex-plumbing-and-kitec-explained-by-graham-ashdown Tap Water Checkup EWG (Environmental Working Group) Tap Water Database (enter zip code): https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/#.WejTzDBryp0 EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) WATCH (send in water sample): http://www.epawatch.org/EPAWatch-Water-Sample-Custody-Form.pdf |
