CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[WanMan]

I am at the point where the electrical rough in is complete and the drywallers are on hold waiting for the [forgotten] plumbing rough in. While the full bath in the basement is pre-stubbed with pit for the ejector pump, and the electrical for the bath and clothes washer ejector pumps pre-wired, I need a plumber ASAP.

I figured this would be a great time (in my life) to attempt to find someone experienced with Pex tubing instead of the traditional copper. Also, I wonder about the use of point-of-use tankless hot water heaters. Both the bath and the pantry [on steroids] are adjacent to one another, but unfortunately I know of not a single plumber in this region that has used Pex.

What did everyone else use? Copper, PVC, buckets?

[tri_joel]

I used copper for all of my domestic water supply. I built a house with reverse osmosis water filtration, we had to rip out all of the copper pipe and install PEX because the filtered water would pick up the taste of the copper. If you are going to use PEX do not buy the box store stuff, spend the very little extra money and buy from a plumbing store. I forget the specifics, but you want the stuff that is rated for in-concrete use even if you are not using it in concrete. The non-concrete stuff will not last as long.

I'm installing PEX for radiant floor heat in my house. It is cheap and easy to install, the crimping tool and fittings are a bit pricey. An interesting note about PEX is that Zurn is phasing out their PEX products. I have no idea why.

[ecrabb]

Wan, I think you'll want to stick with copper if the rest of the house is plumbed that way. You don't want some of one and some of another - it'll look cheesy to buyers down the road - as if the basement was finished later and "tacked on". (It was, but you don't want to look that way, if possible).

Plus, I would think the PEX would probably cost a little more by the time you figured in your lack of finding somebody (no competitive bids?). You don't plumb the same with PEX as you do with copper. You can do branches with tees and reducers with copper, but with PEX, the runs for each faucet, toilet, etc. are all separate. Each run goes back to a manifold. Just the manifold would probably cost you a couple hundred bucks.

FYI.

SC

PS - I have the ViegaPEX tubing in my house and the MANABLOC distribution manifold:

http://www.viega.net/4741.htm

The manifold isn't quite as expensive as I remember, but the tools are expensive. I'll likely hire somebody to do my basement bat and bar.

[emdawgz1]

PEX is getting big here in phila. 1. Because of the rising price of metals. 2. because people were breaking into construction sites and STEALING copper pipes right out of the walls!

I like it. It's faster and safe.

[JustGreg]

[jask]

I use copper when I have a choice but PEX is a good product, it can be easily added to or combined with copper and can be installed trunk and branch,-just like copper, or home run,-just like copper. you can buy all of the fittings adapters and transition parts at any good plumbing shop or even home depot. Ring crimpers are available at most tool rental shops, including home depot. Read up on installation and crimping before you start, almost every leak I have seen with PEX has been from poor crimps. I like to add shut offs at the start of a new branch when I can ( inline ball valves) and if any problems or leaks show up, the whole house does not need to be drained down.

[Z-Photo]

[WanMan]

I'll be talking about this with the plumber today. Yesterday afternoon he stopped buy to run the PVC drains, and install the ejector pit and pump. This morning I am picking up a 30"x60" shower base. Wife and decided the house already has three combination shower-tubs. We are going with the Kohler Devonshire installed in the ceiling.

At this time, I am looking for quotes from local providers on stainless steel shower surrounds and shower ceiling cap. Yes, this is going to be what the guys on FHB are calling the Auschwitz shower. The alternative in my application for a low-maintenance surround surface was tempered glass, but I think the porous nature of glass would actually not be good. Besides, makes cleaning up homicidal accidents easy if I install a garbage disposal.

[paw]

[WanMan]

Solid surfaces tend to lean around $35-50 per square-foot. I got a quote for cultured marble and it was about $14-15/SqFt.

After slapping ourselves in the face, we had to remind ourselves that this is a basement bathroom, AND if money is to be spent on a nice shower then spend it on the master bathroom.

So, come next Spring we'll re-do the master bathroom and for now just use some acrylic faux tile surrounds and leave it at that.

[paw]

Why the faux tile? Then you just have to scrub the scum out of the fake grout lines. I'd go for the smooth acrylic. OH! Acrylic is a pain to clean. Try waxing or a coat of Klasse (my recommendation) on it. Don't wax the floor of the surround! Unless your mother in law is coming for a visit.

[WanMan]

I think the only time this tubless shower will be used is when some party animal needs to be watered down (laundered).