Uponor vs Viega (Propex Expansion vs Pureflow Crimp)

As noted in another thread, I am getting ready to completely re-pipe a house we are buying. I was all set to order the M12 expander tool and go with the Uponor system.

However, a plumber acquaintance of mine does a lot of Viega crimp work and offered to loan me the crimp tools.

Sooooo, I have read practically everything I can find on the web (including searching this forum) and I really can't find a good reason to go with one system over the other.

In Uponor's favor, there is the slightly better flow - presumably from the slightly greater ID of the fittings. There is also just something elegant and beautiful (minimalistic perhaps) to me about the expansion system. I would probably use the EP fittings.

The only downside I see is the $400 for the M12 kit. I could probably flip it at a small loss, but we will be building another story or two on top of this house next year. I wil need the tool then also.

On the other hand, I haven't read anything actually bad about Viega. They haven't had any de-zinc issues that I have heard of. Borrowing the tools means another $400 can go to sheetrock, carpet etc.

As it stands now, I am still leaning toward Uponor. So, this is kind of like a wedding - if you know of *any* reason that I should not be wedded to Uponor, *please* speak now.

There are three manufacturing methods of pex tubing, labeled as -A, -B, and -C. Uphonor uses -A, which is the most flexible and has the smallest minimum bend radius. What does the Viega tubing use? -A is the only type that can be repaired (with a heat gun) if it gets kinked. The other types require you to cut it out and install a fitting. My personal preference is to utilize the natural shape memory of the expansion system to seal, rather than a crimp, which is pushing against where it really wants to go.

It makes no difference which you choose. You will never get a definitave answer from any group of plumbers on this issue so go with what cost the least.

Tom Sawyer said:

It makes no difference which you choose. You will never get a definitave answer from any group of plumbers on this issue so go with what cost the least.

Click to expand...

Yes I use the best PEX there is and it's not either of those... LOL

Tom Sawyer said:

It makes no difference which you choose. You will never get a definitave answer from any group of plumbers on this issue so go with what cost the least.

Click to expand...

I am not usually looking for what costs the least. With tools and other objects I usually try find the 80/50 spot - 80% of the performance for 50% of the cost.

However, with the plumbing in the walls I would rather pay extra for marginally better quality (within the constraints of the project - that is, pex instead of copper). I would rather pony up the $400 for the tools if the expansion system is better than the crimp system.

Admittedly, I will have few fittings that are inaccessible later - probably just the showers.

again Matt, just flip a coin and be done with it. Buy what is readily available to you.