...and am considering switching to PEX?
About 8 years ago, I had a professionally installed and city-permitted / fire marshal-inspected CPVC fire sprinkler system (partial coverage) installed in my unfinished basement and upstairs kitchen. Since that time, I have expanded the system throughout the basement with the intention to close the ceilings, and increase coverage to the upstairs living areas. None of this is required by my city, BTW, it's all been at my option.
All along, I have read some horrible stories about CPVC -- susceptible to cracking if contacted by Romex and other wires due to the plasticizers used in the outer insulation, problems with exposure to petroleum products, spray foam insulation, and the hidden effects of mishandling at the distribution level / place of purchase.
Additionally, the basement CPVC is running through heated joist bays that take 180° water, and although the bays don't actually reach that temperature, my concern is the elevated temps could still contribute to the degradation of the material.
I've kept these "fears" at bay, knowing I'm reading about exceptions -- online scare stories many of which are written by lawyers seeking clients, or news organizations reporting on expensive Oopsies in local condos and college dormitories. Most reliable sources maintain CPVC is reliable.
Then, I found it. A CPVC tee fitting in my house, installed by the original fire sprinkler installer, has a hairline crack in it. It's not leaking, but this hasn't helped my paranoia.
For about $1500, I can purchase all the material I need to change my system over to an reputable brand PEX system, keeping my existing sprinkler heads, and changing out pretty much everything else. In addition, PEX would be much easier to install in three locations upstairs where I'm placing concealed wall sprinkler heads, which have required a good amount of planning and creativity (but not yet installed) to make work with the CPVC system, due to the walls being constricted 2x4 framing.
And for what it's worth, my CPVC system is already a "gridded" system (as apposed to a tree / branch system). My primary intent was to have a "low end" for drain-down and a "high end" for air to escape during fill, but this has the added benefit of flow efficiency. It's all easily adaptable to PEX. Except PEX installations look pretty sloppy in terms of straight lines, and all my careful CPVC layout to keep air out and allow a thorough draindown will be mostly lost.
I've already installed PEX hydronic heating and a hot water return loop, so I've got the tools, and comfort level with the material. But I've done such a good job of convincing myself the CPVC will "probably be alright" that I'm having trouble making this decision.
About 8 years ago, I had a professionally installed and city-permitted / fire marshal-inspected CPVC fire sprinkler system (partial coverage) installed in my unfinished basement and upstairs kitchen. Since that time, I have expanded the system throughout the basement with the intention to close the ceilings, and increase coverage to the upstairs living areas. None of this is required by my city, BTW, it's all been at my option.
All along, I have read some horrible stories about CPVC -- susceptible to cracking if contacted by Romex and other wires due to the plasticizers used in the outer insulation, problems with exposure to petroleum products, spray foam insulation, and the hidden effects of mishandling at the distribution level / place of purchase.
Additionally, the basement CPVC is running through heated joist bays that take 180° water, and although the bays don't actually reach that temperature, my concern is the elevated temps could still contribute to the degradation of the material.
I've kept these "fears" at bay, knowing I'm reading about exceptions -- online scare stories many of which are written by lawyers seeking clients, or news organizations reporting on expensive Oopsies in local condos and college dormitories. Most reliable sources maintain CPVC is reliable.
Then, I found it. A CPVC tee fitting in my house, installed by the original fire sprinkler installer, has a hairline crack in it. It's not leaking, but this hasn't helped my paranoia.
For about $1500, I can purchase all the material I need to change my system over to an reputable brand PEX system, keeping my existing sprinkler heads, and changing out pretty much everything else. In addition, PEX would be much easier to install in three locations upstairs where I'm placing concealed wall sprinkler heads, which have required a good amount of planning and creativity (but not yet installed) to make work with the CPVC system, due to the walls being constricted 2x4 framing.
And for what it's worth, my CPVC system is already a "gridded" system (as apposed to a tree / branch system). My primary intent was to have a "low end" for drain-down and a "high end" for air to escape during fill, but this has the added benefit of flow efficiency. It's all easily adaptable to PEX. Except PEX installations look pretty sloppy in terms of straight lines, and all my careful CPVC layout to keep air out and allow a thorough draindown will be mostly lost.
I've already installed PEX hydronic heating and a hot water return loop, so I've got the tools, and comfort level with the material. But I've done such a good job of convincing myself the CPVC will "probably be alright" that I'm having trouble making this decision.
