<h2 id="everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-pex">Everything You Always Wanted to Know About PEX</h2>
<h3 id="part-01--lets-talk-about-pex---introduction">Part 01- Let's Talk About PEX - Introduction</h3>
<h3 id="why-my-story">Why? My story</h3>
<ol type="1">
<li>Why am I posting about plumbing on HPR? "Of interest to hackers"
<ol type="1">
<li>I find it interesting</li>
<li>We like to learn new things</li>
<li>We like to understand
<ol type="1">
<li>How things work</li>
<li>How things break</li>
<li>How to use non-standard approached to solve problems</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Others can learn from my experience, troubleshooting process, etc...</li>
<li>I had fun creating the episode titles.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Pinhole leaks in copper pipe
<ol type="1">
<li>Causes &#x2013; Note plumbing is around 40 years old and original to house</li>
<li>Poor quality copper Shoddy installation</li>
<li>Failure to de-bur pipe before soldering</li>
<li>Not properly hung from joists
<ol type="1">
<li>Pipe on pipe</li>
<li>Pipe on steel wire</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Bad soldering technique
<ol type="1">
<li>Lumpy solder</li>
<li>Flux residue</li>
<li>Excessive flux</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Hard water
<ol type="1">
<li>Only some neighbors experiencing the same issue, and their houses were constructed by the same builder.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Learn more about copper pipe corrosion
<ol type="1">
<li>How to Stop Copper Pipe Corrosion - This Old House YouTube Channel</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5lMITzx_Y" class="uri">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5lMITzx_Y</a></li>
</ol></li>
<li>High Water Pressure
<ol type="1">
<li>Normal = 60-80 PSI</li>
<li>Tested at 63 PSI = GOOD!!</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Damage</li>
<li>Water leaks caused damage to drywall in parts of my house and to items stored in my garage.</li>
<li>Leaks in some areas can sometimes go unidentified for long enough to do extensive damage and even lead to dangerous mold growth.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Possible solutions
<ol type="1">
<li>Short term</li>
<li>Patch
<ol type="1">
<li>Epoxy kits</li>
<li>Can be inconsistent</li>
<li>May not bond to corroded pipe</li>
<li>Some require turning off water and dry pipes</li>
<li>Water activated tape</li>
<li>Access around pipe</li>
<li>May not bond to corroded pipe</li>
<li>Some require turning off water and dry pipes</li>
<li>Solder on patch</li>
<li>Expensive</li>
<li>Requires clean dry pipe exterior</li>
<li>Requires draining the pipe</li>
<li>Might as well cut out the leaking section and replace</li>
<li>Repair Clamps</li>
<li>Fast</li>
<li>Strong</li>
<li>Can be used while pipe is under pressure</li>
<li>Minimal clearance needed</li>
<li>Examples
<ol type="1">
<li><a href="https://www.grainger.com/category/plumbing/pipe-tubing-and-fittings/pipe-repair-clamps-and-couplings/pipe-repair-clamps" class="uri">https://www.grainger.com/category/plumbing/pipe-tubing-and-fittings/pipe-repair-clamps-and-couplings/pipe-repair-clamps</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Accessories-Repair-Clamps/Copper/N-5yc1vZbqomZ1z0vifv" class="uri">https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Accessories-Repair-Clamps/Copper/N-5yc1vZbqomZ1z0vifv</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Accessories-Repair-Clamps/Multi-Purpose/N-5yc1vZbqomZ1z0vhwh" class="uri">https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Accessories-Repair-Clamps/Multi-Purpose/N-5yc1vZbqomZ1z0vhwh</a></li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
<li>Long Term</li>
<li>Repair copper
<ol type="1">
<li>Cut out damaged section and replace using SharkBite fittings</li>
<li>Expensive</li>
<li>Cut out damaged section and solder in new section of pipe</li>
<li>Expensive</li>
<li>Time consuming</li>
<li>Many areas of corrosion visible</li>
<li>Whack-a-mole - Where &amp; when will next leak occur?</li>
</ol></li>
<li>New copper
<ol type="1">
<li>Expensive</li>
<li>Difficult</li>
<li>Time consuming</li>
</ol></li>
<li>PVC
<ol type="1">
<li>Still difficult &#x2013; rigidity</li>
</ol></li>
<li>PEX
<ol type="1">
<li>Comparatively inexpensive</li>
<li>Flexible and easy to install</li>
<li>Can use existing copper pipe as support structure</li>
<li>Can completely redesign with a manifold</li>
</ol></li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
