<h2 id="everything-you-always-wanted-to-know-about-pex">Everything You Always Wanted to Know About PEX</h2>
<h3 id="part-05-pex-and-the-single-installer-my-pex-installation-experience-part-2">Part 05&#x2013; PEX and the Single Installer &#x2013; My PEX installation experience part 2</h3>
<h3 id="pulling-pex">Pulling PEX</h3>
<ol type="1">
<li>Much like pulling thick wire
<ol type="1">
<li>My method
<ol type="1">
<li>Used fish tape to pull mason's line</li>
<li>Tied mason's line to PEX about 4 inches from end.</li>
<li>Taped above &amp; below with electrical tape</li>
<li>Then tied line again closer to the end of PEX.</li>
<li>Wrapped again with electrical tape</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Pull extra</li>
<li>Unroll and let it lay straight for 24 hours if "curve memory" is a problem</li>
<li>Can be challenging and require an individual installer to go back and forth between the feed point and the pull point.</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Supporting PEX
<ol type="1">
<li>1" and smaller PEX must be supported horizontally every 32 inches</li>
<li>Vertically, it must be supported at every floor and midway between floors (every 4-6 feet)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.pexuniverse.com/providing-proper-support-long-runs-pex-tubing" class="uri">https://www.pexuniverse.com/providing-proper-support-long-runs-pex-tubing</a></li>
<li>Can be challenging to hold in place until secured</li>
<li>Zip ties are your friend!</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Using a manifold
<ol type="1">
<li>Determine your needs</li>
<li>Number of hot and cold outputs</li>
<li>Valve type
<ol type="1">
<li>Handled</li>
<li>Wrench/key</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Find a location with</li>
<li>Easy access</li>
<li>Fairly central to avoid long delays for hot water</li>
<li>Limited light exposure</li>
<li>Build or buy?</li>
<li>Costs</li>
<li>Appearance</li>
<li>Materials</li>
<li>Securing manifold in place</li>
<li>Anchor securely
<ol type="1">
<li>Block wall with anchors</li>
<li>To wood for spanning wall studs (I don't know why I kept saying "Joist" during the recording)</li>
<li>Do not anchor to drywall</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Insulate from wall if needed</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Connecting to the main line
<ol type="1">
<li>What to replace and what to use</li>
<li>Size matters</li>
<li>Plan to include manifold if needed</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Connecting to water heater
<ol type="1">
<li>Where/how to connect</li>
<li>Pipe Unions?</li>
<li>Protect from heat</li>
<li>Shut-off valve</li>
<li>Expansion tank</li>
<li>Silicon tape or pipe dope</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Connecting to endpoints
<ol type="1">
<li>What to keep and what to replace</li>
<li>Transition connectors</li>
<li>SharkBite</li>
<li>Solder</li>
<li>Thread</li>
<li>Glue</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Exterior hose taps
<ol type="1">
<li>Reuse or replace?</li>
<li>Frost free / anti-siphon</li>
<li>Anchor securely</li>
<li>Help is better!</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Turning it on!
<ol type="1">
<li>If using a manifold turn on one section at a time, from the bottom up</li>
<li>Open sink valves</li>
<li>Ease it on a little at a time</li>
<li>Then increase flow</li>
<li>Turn off sink tap (Slowly) to let pressure build</li>
<li>Keep watching for leaks</li>
<li>Coordinate with a partner and communicate (cell phone?)</li>
</ol></li>
<li>Afterwards
<ol type="1">
<li>Cover any PEX exposed to light</li>
<li>Watch for leaks</li>
<li>Repair holes</li>
<li>Run water daily to flush out bad taste</li>
<li>Inspection?</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>
