Connecting Fixtures to a PEX Residential Water System

These PEX lines are the standard 1/2" with blue for cold and red for hot. They are crimp type connections. The following illustration shows a PEX to compression Supply Stop. This Supply Stop serves two purposes, to tie in the existing fixture to the new PEX lines and to serve as a shutoff for service. Compression connections use the O.D. (Outside Diameter) measurement standard.

ILLUSTRATION: Straight Supply Stop 1/2" PEX x 1/2" O.D. Compression Male

Kitchen sink faucets typically have braided metal flexible connectors that hang down as opposed to the way bathroom sink faucets connect to FIP right on the fixture. These flexible connectors have the compression style connector for you to connect to your stop valve or directly to the plumbing. Stop valves are traditionally used, but with PEX installations with a manifold and dedicated supply lines, the local stop valves are not necessary.

ILLUSTRATION:

Home using a PEX manifold do not require an at fixture Supply Stop (shutoff) because fixtures can be shut off at the manifold. In this case, the bathroom sink has a dedicated supply on both the hot and cold manifolds. The water supply can be shut off to the bathroom sink at the manifolds without shutting off any other fixture. PEX is more flexible than PVC and copper. For this reason, you can run PEX directly to the fixture, without using a supply connector or supply stop.

ILLUSTRATION: 1/2" PEX Swivel Faucet Adapter