Existing PEX Restrictions

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marybythesea

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Hi, This is my first attempt to blog ...if I make mistakes, please advise. I need help. I ran 60' of 3/4" poly underground from a newly installed outdoor hydrant to the vicinity of an existing outdoor hydrant (in order to tap into its water supply). I uncovered the existing outdoor hydrant and found a T connection, one leg bringing in the main water supply, one leg to the hydrant, and the third leg was a 2' long section which had been capped for future use. It was all buried blue 3/4 pex which I can barely read but seems to say PEXa REM?? UV shield 120. I did not know how to connect to PEX so I called a plumber. He said he could not connect the capped PEX line to the poly because the existing PEX was "rayhow" and took a special tool. I asked if he meant the connector or the tubing ...he said the connector ...I asked why he couldn't just cut off the cap and use a different type of connector ...he said "well this type of blue PEX can only take a special connector which takes a tool costing thousands of dollars" I asked the name of the special connector and the special tool, but he could "not remember" the name. I felt uneasy as if he did not want the (small) job and was making excuses. From my online search, I found an expansion tool that costs between $199-399 by I saw no evidence that it alone was good for a particular pex tubing. Is it true that some types of PEX only take one kind of fitting, the tool for which costs thousands. If so, how would I identify that kind of PEX from other type a PEX. I would do the job myself if I knew what tools to use. Thanks in advance for guidance. marybythesea
 

Terry

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Mary,
The Poly can use an insert adapter to threaded, and the PEX can be threaded by sharkbite.
I prefer not to use a sharkbite fitting, but they do work and they are a listed fitting. And yes, it's a doable thing for a homeowner.
 

hj

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PEX

That type of connection, "Wirsbo", only works with that type of PEX, but the "conventional" PEX fittings and connectors work with ALL types of PEX, including yours.
 
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