If you plan on remodeling your home, doing new construction, upgrading your existing plumbing system, or installing a radiant heat floor, you will want to check on the possibility of using PEX tubing for your project. It should not be hard to find. PEX plumbing materials are rapidly replacing other materials like lead, copper, iron, and PVC pipes. This is because it has many advantages over the products traditionally used in plumbing.

It is made from a high-density polymer. This makes it very flexible. This flexibility means that it can be bent around corners without crushing it, and without the need for for a right angle connection. Its ability to bend without needing connectors is what makes it a top choice for radiant heat flooring.

Its flexibility has other advantages. It can be produced, rolled, and shipped in long lengths. This means it costs less to ship. Because it comes in a long, continuous tube, it does not require a lot of connections to get it to the required length. It takes less time and work to install. The job can get done faster and cost less than using other types of plumbing materials.

PEX tubing has several environmental advantages. It conserves energy by minimizing heat lost through the material. Plus, other types of plumbing requires the use of solder and flux to make the necessary connections. This leaches lead and acids into the water and and surrounding soil. The fact that PEX pipe requires no flux or solder means there are no dangerous chemicals introduced into the environment.

PEX plumbing is also a money-saving option. Every time you introduce a connection into a plumbing system, it creates the chances of a leak. Fewer connections means lower risk of leaks later on. This will save you repair costs to the plumbing and also costs to repair any secondary damaged caused by those leaks.

If you are considering radiant heat flooring there is something to note. You will need a special kind of PEX that has an oxygen barrier property. Some materials in flooring can corrode with exposure to oxygen, so a variation of tubing was created to eliminate this problem. Be sure your contractor is using an oxygen-barrier PEX for any walkway or floor applications.

So make sure to check on the possibility of using PEX tubing for your next project. It will most likely be less expensive in the short term. It will definitely less expensive in the long run!