Does PEX Piping Have Advantages In Freezing Temperatures?
When subjected to freezing conditions, PEX tubing has several advantages over CPVC pipe as well as galvanized steel and copper pipe.
Many of the facts below were taken from the technical report Resistance Of Pex Pipe And Tubing To Breakage When Frozen, published by the Plastics Pipe Institute.
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Freeze Tolerance Features of PEX tubing include:
PEX retains flexibility down to at least -40°C
Water expands when it turns to ice. If the water inside PEX tubing freezes, in most cases it should be able to expand without cracking or splitting, then return to its original diameter upon thawing.
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This expansion of water turning into ice can cause rigid piping such as copper, galvanized steel, and CPVC to burst. Furthermore, CPVC pipe and fittings can become brittle in very cold conditions.
PEX has low thermal conductivity
Compared to copper and galvanized steel pipe, PEX transfers heat at a much, much slower rate. This means that if a part of your plumbing system is exposed to freezing temperatures, it will take longer for the water in the pipes to freeze.
PEX plumbing systems use fewer fittings
Copper and other rigid piping systems like galvanized pipe or CPVC require fittings and connections at each turn. These are all potential points of failure in a system subject to freezing conditions.
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Flexible PEX tubing can be run in continuous lengths from a central manifold straight to each outlet, with much fewer connections overall. The long, continuous tubing runs, can make PEX less susceptible to failure if water freezes in a section of the system.
PEX can be more easily routed through insulated spaces
Poorly insulated external walls, attic spaces, crawl spaces, and so on: these are some of the risk areas for freezing pipes. As we saw in the Houston Big Freeze disaster – incomplete insulation can be quite common in southern states.
We have another article covering the benefits and costs of a PEX repipe in general. You can also contact us to schedule a free consult with one of our local estimators, who can discuss your repipe options and provide you with a fixed price quote.
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Source: https://t-tees.com
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