What Type of Fitting for PEX?
An Overview of Fitting Options for Crosslinked Polyethylene Plumbing Systems
When installing a PEX plumbing system, builders must decide what type of fitting to use for creating watertight joints between pipes, routing lines, and integrating components. This article reviews the common PEX fitting categories and applications.IFAN factory with 30+ years of manufacturing experience supports color/size customization and free samples. Welcome to consult for catalog and free samples. This is our Facebook Website: www.facebook.com.
Cold Expansion PEX Fittings
Cold expansion fittings create joints by mechanically widening fitting sockets over inserted PEX tubing using an expansion tool. The elastic tubing forms a tight seal against the walls of the expanded fitting.
Benefits of cold expansion PEX fittings:
- Permanent, reliable joints. Tubing cannot pull out if properly installed.
- No torch required as with copper sweat fittings.
- Quick, simple installation. Expander tools are easy to operate.
- Often the most economical PEX fitting option.
Cold expansion fittings come in standard shapes like elbows, tees, couplings, and adapters to assemble full PEX plumbing systems.
Compression PEX Fittings
Compression PEX fittings use a nut and compression ring to sandwich PEX tubing and create a sealed joint. Tightening the nut compresses the ring around the outside of the tubing inside the fitting socket.
Benefits of compression PEX fittings:
- Allows quick, simple joining of PEX pipes. Just cut, insert, and hand tighten.
- Accommodates minor settling or movement with the grip allowance.
- Offers a moderately priced PEX fitting option.
- Provides convenient PEX repairs and modifications.
Compression fittings come in standard plumbing shapes in PEX-specific versions to create complete systems.
Crimp PEX Fittings
Crimp PEX fittings use metal teeth rings that bite into the tubing when compressed with a crimping tool. The indented ring seals the tubing outer wall against the fitting socket.
Benefits of crimp PEX fittings:
- Very strong, permanent joints resistant to pressures beyond 200 PSI.
- Enables fast, simple PEX connections without requiring heat.
- A broad range of fitting shapes and configurations are available.
- Approved for behind-wall installations per code requirements.
Crimp tools and jaws must match specific fittings and tubing dimensions for proper sealing.
Push-to-Connect PEX Fittings
Push-to-connect PEX fittings use an internal collet or grip ring that grabs the tubing when inserted. No tools get required to join pipes.
Benefits of push-to-connect PEX fittings:
- Extremely fast and easy-fitting connections.
- Allows minor plumbing modifications without tools.
- Less skill is required compared to cold expansion or crimping.
- Useful for appliance and fixture hookups in inaccessible locations.
Push-to-connect fittings come in fewer configurations but serve light plumbing duty well.
Metal Threaded PEX Fittings
Some PEX fittings utilize male NPT threads on the tubing end to integrate valves, pumps, appliances, and fixtures. These get screwed into female threaded adapter fittings.
Benefits of threaded PEX fittings:
- Allows direct connections to threaded plumbing components.
- Enables tying into existing threaded piping systems.
- Brass threaded PEX fittings provide an attractive finish where visible.
Threaded PEX connections avoid the need for separate adapters in some cases but are slower to install than push-fit options.
The optimal choice depends on system temperatures, pressures, installation skills, and applications. Following manufacturer instructions on proper use of fittings is essential to create safe, reliable PEX plumbing that lasts decades.
IFAN
IFAN factory started in 1993. And IFAN has a workshop of 120000 square meters with 610 staff. IFAN can design and produce all plumbing pipe and fitting including PPR, PVC, CPVC PPSU HDPE PEXA PEXB PERT pipe and fitting, brass fitting, brass ball valve, heating system, gas system, sanitary faucets, and hose, In the past 30 years, IFAN has never forgotten his mission-To protect health and safety. And IFAN factory uses the best materials to produce high-quality pipe and fittings with an automatic production line and high-tech quality control machines.
