Advice for PEX/Plumbing Newbie

[letdown]

Hello everybody,

I am a newbie to the plumbing world and I have never done anything more complicated than putting in a stop value and putting in a new faucet. My house was built shortly after World War I and it has a every type of plumbing type in the book (copper, PVC, galvanized, PEX). I would like to replace the galvanized pipes that go to the kitchen sink with PEX and hook it up to an existing galvanized feed line.

My problem is that most resources only have two pages on Pex or two pages on Galvanized and almost nothing on marrying the two. Any advice on good resources to build up my knowledge base would be much appreciated.

Thank you,
Letdown

[jimbo]

Any PEX system will have transition fittings to connect to threaded pipe.

You need to find out what brand of PEX is available in your area, and what special ( $$expensive$$) tools you will need to assemble it.

PEX is fine if well done. Not so long ago, a person could not even purchase PEX unless they were certified factory trained. That has changed, but what has not changed is that there is a right way and a wrong way to assemble PEX fittings. You need to do your homework. Each brand of PEX uses different fittings and tools.

[Bill Arden]

Like jimbo said, you have to convert to a threaded fitting.

PEX is tricky in that you can't use hose clamps like you can for poly.

Sharkbites work, but are expensive and you have to be careful not to damage the O-ring.

PS: I still think CPVC is better for DYI house plumbing.

[rayh78]

you just fine a threaded end of the old pipe you want to connect to and buy the pex fitting that has threads on one end and pex barb on the other.
Also pex ZURN brand fittings are the only ones that seem to have had a few problems. Get anyother brand.

[Southern Man]

My advice is to get rid of as much of the galvanized as possible, and replace it with CPVC. Its the easiest for most DIYers and they make plenty of adapters to transition to copper. PEX is great for new construction but is a pain for repairs because the tools are so big and expensive.

[Redwood]

That would depend on what you select for materials.
SSC crimpers can be picked up for about $50