Off topic - plumbing question

[peter d]

Those of you that do a lot of new residential work, what kind of plumbing systems are you seeing these days? And if any of you have any plumbing buddies, what are they using?

PEX systems are starting to make big inroads here in New England, which is surprising considering all the die hard Yankees that refuse to give up copper. :D

[tshea]

Copper is starting to be replaced by PEX. The tool you saw is (I think) the tool used to connect the copper fittings to the PEX.
We see about 20% PEX, mostly on remodels.

[peter d]

Originally posted by tshea:
The tool you saw is (I think) the tool used to connect the copper fittings to the PEX.
It's an all-copper system, nothing to do with PEX. Instead of soldering, you simply use this massive and expensive ($2000) electrically powered crimper to crimp special fittings onto copper tubing. The whole purpose is to eliminate the need for a torch.

Ridgid makes the tools, and another company makes the fittings.

Ridgid system (http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/CT400-Pressing-Tool/index.html)

[ March 28, 2005, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: peter d ]

[hbiss]

Yup and that system goes all the way to 3" and can be used for natural gas too.

-Hal

[tshea]

WOW! Don't ya just love this trade! Learn something new every day!!

[jimwalker]

With the water quaility we have in Florida we see most homes using cpvc.Copper has problems and cost far more