cpvc or pex?

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pingpong

pingpong

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 14, 2004
290
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Ontario, Canada
I went out to get some plumbing supplies to install a new sump. I accidentally bought a roll of Pex tubing http://www.watts.com/pro/_products_sub.asp?catId=70&parCat=480 thinking that it was a brand of cpvc. All of the fittings I bought are cpvc. Has anyone worked with pex? Should I return the pex and get cpvc or should I retrun the cpvc fittings and work with the pex? The pex is a bit cheaper at $0.65/foot while cpvc is $1/foot for 3/4" diameter.
 
I am not familiar with pex, but I do believe cpvc is mainly used for a higher temp/pressure application, such as the hot water supply to your sinks and showers. I have used normal pvc on all my sumps, from the overflow to the return with no problems.
 
The only pipe I can find in stores like home depot around here is cpvc, pex and copper for 1" or smaller diameter. I'm going to try to find a plumbing store but so far this is all I've got.

Is there any way to mix cpvc fittings and pex tubing? They seem to fit really snuggly together. Maybe a little silicone would be enough to create a good seal? Or is this asking for trouble?
 
You need fittings made for pex if you use pex pipe.The most common way to fit pex together is with a special made crimp ring and tool made to install the rings. Pex pipe is made to expand and contract without splitting. Example: If you have pex water lines in your house and the lines freeze, the pipe will expand and will not burst. CPVC can be used for hot or cold water, which is why it is slightly smaller than normal pvc pipe, made for cold water only. That way, one cannot interchange cpvc and pvc fittings. They won't fit properly. I would advise against jerry rigging water lines, that's inviting problems.
 
im a plumber and install both pex and cpvc daily. cpvc is the way to go, its potable water safe, can be used for hot or cold water, and its a one step glueing process. i have plumbed hundreds of houses with the stuff and never had a leak or burst pipe unless it was installed wrong, which is very hard to do. pex only works with pex fittings(plastic or brass) and crimp rings, which are made out of copper. the crimping tool alone costs $100 for a cheap ass one, $200+ for good ones and each different size pipe needs its properly sized crimping tool. i have all the pex tools but would not use pex due to exposing copper to my aquarium water. IMO use cpvc:)
 
Thanks for the advise guys.

It sounds like pex may be more trouble than cpvc. I'm going to shop around some more and see what pvc is available but I might just go with cpvc. Thanks again.
 
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