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[[Image:PEX-tubing.jpg]] PEX is made by a process that forms links between polyethylene molecules to create bridges (thus the term "cross-linked). This resulting material is more durable under temperature extremes, chemical attack, and better resists creep deformation, making PEX an excellent material for hot water and other applications. It doesn’t corrode or develop pinhole leaks, is chlorine-resistant, scale-resistant, and has fewer fittings, connections, and elbows than rigid plastic and metallic pipe. [[Image:PEX-tubing.jpg|right]] PEX is made by a process that forms links between polyethylene molecules to create bridges (thus the term "cross-linked). This resulting material is more durable under temperature extremes, chemical attack, and better resists creep deformation, making PEX an excellent material for hot water and other applications. It doesn’t corrode or develop pinhole leaks, is chlorine-resistant, scale-resistant, and has fewer fittings, connections, and elbows than rigid plastic and metallic pipe. '''The caveat to PEX plumbing is the long-term effect of chlorinated water on the vinyl walls in the tubing remains unknown for certain.''' == Complete PEX House Plumbing System ==In a home that uses PEX plumbing completely, everything is run directly off a manifold. Each fixture in the house will have a separate line feeding it. The manifold acts like a hub and is located near the water heater. A fresh waterline goes into the bottom of the manifold and feeds all the cold-water fixtures. It also has a cold line running to the water heater. The water heater then has a line for hot water that runs back to the manifold and feeds the hot-water fixtures. In a way, it sort of resembles a computer network with a HUB.Each fixture has its own dedicated waterline. The red (hot) or blue (cold) tubing usually runs side by side from the manifold to each fixture. The flexibility of the tubing makes it a dream to work with.Pex tubing has many different fittings made of either brass or poly. These fittings slide into the tubing and are crimped in place with crimp rings and a crimper.Don’t use metal fasteners that are normally used for copper or galvanized, because they could wear a hole in the tubing over time. Flexible plastic lines are light and they vibrate more than metal lines do. Pex comes in a few different sizes. The water mainline coming into the manifold will probably be a 1-inch line of strong poly. You will want to have a main water shut-off valve before the manifold.The cold waterline from the top of the manifold that goes to the water heater will probably be a ¾ inch Pex line as well as the hot waterline coming from the water heater back to the manifold. You can use 3/8-inch thick pex for the individual fixture waterlines if you want, but ½ inch delivers a larger volume of water and is preferable.