Unfortunately, pex isn't the solution for everything plumbing. It's fast, easy, getting cheaper (although good tools and fittings still cost $$) but doesn't have the rigidity and should not be left exposed, even indoors. Fortunately for me, I should only need 1 or maybe two sticks of copper to get this beast finished.
the 2 rehabs I have right now have all copper DRAIN line 2-4 inch copper running from the basement to the second floor, I am tempted to pull it out and scrap it then replace with PVC.
Copper DWV, there's something we're not likely to see much of anymore. Going to be like copper gutters.
Little better here... https://www.menards.com/main/plumbi...m?tid=6236094289966193797&bargainStoreId=3258 Why 1"? 3/4" is the biggest thing in our house...zero pressure issues...and "only" $17 per stick for 3/4"
That's the incoming line, thems the fittings and valves I already have, etc... 3/4" is commonly the biggest you will find on most well systems. And with most appliances being fed by 3/8" line, you would need a fair number of taps running simultaneously to see a noticeable pressure drop. Theoretically that number is 4. Never tried a practical test.... hmm. No Menards within reasonable distance of me! (12566). But that's ok, HD only wants $27 a stick for 3/4"!!
My drain lines are all copper too. Soldered into big brass joints. Even the 3" stack through the roof. Would be cool to polish it bright and paint it with clear coat to keep it shiny. All of my new work has been with black abs. I tore out all of the silly copper supply and put in pex. I don't believe there is a place for copper pipe anymore.
With all the water saving fixtures on the market I see no need for 3/4 pipe any more. I put all 1/2 copper in my house. Work fine. And you don't have to wait as long for the hot water to get there!
You guys that ripped out all of your copper in favor of Pex, did you also convert to a "home run" style plumbing system or did you just replace your "trunk and branch" style system? Maybe I'm too young but why are 3/4" hot water pipes standard in most homes? Other than the bathtub, nothing really needs that much hot water. And yes, you have to wait/waste longer to get hot water. I've seen a bunch of homes that are either 3/4" on both hot and cold lines or 1/2" on the cold, 3/4" on the hot. Somewhere I saw a Pex manufacturer (Viega?) recommending 3/8" for all single fixture runs.
No trouble with the black ABS being noisy compared to PVC? Copper pipe has a place still. While it's all but dead for residential, Pex doesn't have any structural rigidity and shouldn't be used for exposed work. The industrial installations will keep copper thriving for years I'm sure.
3/4 was pretty much standard for cold lines. I don't think I've ever seen 1/2 cold with 3/4 hot, so i can't say. 60 psi through 1/2 tube gives you a lot of water (like 15 gpm)
But at what velocity? I know there are "guidelines" and high-velocity water brings with it some issues like water hammer but yeah, you can get plenty wet with 1/2"!
Propress or sweat? We have up to 2" in a lot of places at work, all of the Nitrogen lines are 1" or 1 1/4" silver brazed. Domestic water is in propress copper, and all other gases are in stainless.
We did one job with propress. Boss said never again...I wasn't on that job, but a couple of joints just wouldn't seal...
My normal install, I will run 3/4 trunk lines then reduce to 1/2 to shut off then 3/8 to fixtures. the house I am currently working on 3/4 from service to HW tank then 1/2 to shutoffs. everything is within 10 feet of the HW tank, small ranch The next house I am working on I am going to try PEX, home run on all lines to a manifold in basement. Thoughts? Highbeam?
