Connecting UPONOR Pex-A and ZURN Pex-B Pipes | Integrity Repipe

[@DB-cx6cb]

Since upnor piping is the only code approved for high rise residential installation for fire resistance materials one can only conclude all others are inferior. Many comments here have no experience with code enforcement on commercial job site projects and many read their comments causing further confusion. Thank you for educating those who are not in the trades. Great information!

[@scottwatts3879]

Joe, the problem is that EVERY OTHER PEX-B manufacturer says their pex-b cannot be expanded and ZURN is the ONLY pex -silane pipe that can be expanded.That causes confusion when you simply say pex-a or pex-b

[@joshtamez661]

I was told by the Zurn rep, That theres a specific head made for Zurn type b pex expansion. He did also state that the upnor or wirsbo head for type a pex was the incorrect head.

[@ohger1]

I think the reason (pure speculation) is that B doesn't have the same memory effect as A and so the Zurn heads were designed to reduce (further) the possibility of putting in straight expansion lines inside the pipe. A type would be more forgiving for slight straight line channels put in the by the head. Honestly, I think the Zurn heads would be an upgrade over the original heads even for type A.

[@fondy44]

Thanks for this video. I was told by a lot of people that the white expansion rings were for pex-A pipe and the dark metal crimp rings are for pex-B. You can imagine my confusion to see my local Home Depot carries the white expansion rings but all of their pex pipe is labeled pex-B.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings Zurn white rings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@MichaelPace2.0]

Most Pex-B is compression ring only. Zurn Pex-B is the only one that can be expanded, I believe.

[@MidwestFirecraft]

Sioux Chief Type B can be used with F 1960 expansion rings.@@MichaelPace2.0

[@jimmypautz]

Sioux Chief Pex B is also now supporting expansion fittings.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi Jimmy Pautz. I asked Sioux Chief if they would examine the Zurn warranty and I gave them a copy. I asked them if they would be willing to match the Zurn warranty they came back to my office and told me to my face that they would not match the Zurn warranty.

[@jimmypautz]

@@IntegrityRepipeInc huh. Thanks for that! What are the differences between the warranties? Sioux Chief says 25 years.

[@Aepek]

ZURN PEX-B is sick and IMO, game changer for us who like using expansion pex and the tools. Think this is great and glad someone made this product as makes my life a bit easier👍🏻👍🏻 Also Appreciate your vids about Zurn Expansion PEX-B when first saw b/c didn’t know this was available or possible. Appreciate SO MUCH🙏🏼, for your vids, b/c like said, game changer and so cool✌🏻✌🏻

[@jeffgarner3178]

My Pex B does not CONTRACT FULLY after it has been expanded consequently I am worried I am going to get a Blow out if we increase my Well water pressure. Warning do some experiments on your own. PEX B does not contract fully after using the expansion tool and if you use the uponor expansion sleeve it may help but the Pex B pipe does not fully shrink back to the original size.

[@thingsibuild7534]

He talking about zurn B. Not all pex B is equal. Lots of different pex B brands. Zurn pec B is made for this application.

[@JoeLudlow]

@@jeffgarner3178 Hi Jeff. I asked Zurn if they would make 2 changes to the expansion rings. 1) I wanted the ring to fit tighter on the pipe and have a better built in stop. 2) I wanted the rings to be longer, I would prefer if they extended 1/4 " longer. Zurn made a Gen 2 ring with a tighter fit and a better built in stop. sometimes you win sometimes you lose. sorry

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi Aepek. I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@corin164]

Please restate why you don't use the PEX B metal (copper tinted brass fitting) fasteners. I've used these for years with crimp rings and haven't had any issues with them. I know the crimp rings are difficult to apply but think I mastered the installation technique.

[@r6u356une56ney]

crimp fittings internally are smaller than the pipes. So if you're using 3/4 - every crimp fitting you use restricts flow like a 1/2 pipe would. Depending on how its run, this can cause low water pressure at some fixtures, unless you use one size higher pipe than would otherwise be called for. The expansion fittings are the same size on the inside as the pipe, and don't have that issue.

[@bryanfogleman4549]

Any information on the various products and what leaches out of the pipes into the water. Curious if these materials leach chemicals at least when heated if no other time?

[@tinman1955]

I wonder too. Doesn't seem to be much data available. And I wonder how much it matters considering how much plastic we're exposed to. I've read that PEX-A leaches more than PEX-B which seems plausible since PEX-A is more flexible...but how much is too much? And I wonder if charcoal filters or reverse osmosis removes whatever PEX plastic leaches. Then it occurs to me that filter housings are made of plastic....

[@KeneOliver]

Maybe this will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHbGpHaqZdF4sMk

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

@@tinman1955 I got into that rabbit hole years ago, then started using stainless steel as I thought it was the perfect solution, but it is a pain to bend it. It also puts tiny amounts of nickel, chromium and other metals from what I read. Nothing is perfect, the best thing I've found is eliminating toxins from as much as I can, food, clothes, beddings, drugs, toiletries and anything else available. I convince myself that this may give me more of an ability to tolerate all the toxic joys in our environment 🤓.

[@JoeLudlow]

Hi Bryan. The Men that responded are correct (B) is safer. Pex A leaches but it is approved for plumbing.

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

@@JoeLudlow where can I get this information? I just purchased a Pex A Milwaukee expansion tool and don't want to start transitioning to it if it's more toxic.

[@RossWilliamsDC]

Can you comment on the class-action lawsuit filed against Zurn Pex-B for connection failures?

[@JoeLudlow]

The Zurn class action was because of (yellow brass insert fitting failures) Uponor was also named in the class. The class was not about pipe failures. Yellow brass fittings have over 30% sink in them, any fitting with more than 9% sink will fail. The fittings where manufactured by a subcontractor and they where use in early Uponor pex A and Zurn pex b systems. Now days they are sold at Home Depot and Lowes and are used by people who do not know what they are doing. hope this helps.

[@functionalvanconversion4284]

@@JoeLudlow are these the brass shark bite crimp rings that are no good (from Lowe's)? I've used these for about 10 years with shark crimper and they have performed so far, just had our guest house freeze this winter as the mini split didn't kick back on do to a power outage. All of the crimp rings didn't leak after the freeze. Cross fingers that they last.

[@Aepek]

2:48 So, is this FOR ALL ZURN PEX-B (that can use my Milwaukee ProPEX Expansion tool) that is like Uponor PEX-A; or does Zurn have a “Specific” PEX-B product that is Expansion Tool capable? Again, thx for vids & WONDERFUL AWESOME INFO!!!😊 Cheers✌🏻

[@kellyobrien6436]

Well, according to Zurn's website, the pex type B that Zurn has been manufacturing for decades is the same pex B that is used in the expansion applications. The same pipe that was and still is being used with the crimp type rings for many years can also be used with the expansion technique without Zurn changing or making any modifications to their existing pex B pipe. There is a video on Zurn's site that you can watch that explains this issue. I had the exact same question also and watched the video a few times and the narrator clealy states that it's the exact same pipe that they've always made.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi@@kellyobrien6436. You are Correct! thanks Joe.

[@Therabbitmaze-v2j]

It looks easy, but I've heard an inspector wants you to use a metal transition piece instead of a direct connection, pex-B crimped to metal fitting, transition screwed to fittings, PEX-A fitting attached . All metal fittings.

[@elBusDriverKC]

Is Zurn Pex-B different from Apollo brand Pex-B? I ask because the website for Apollo says that expansion fittings can't be used. This would lead me to believe that different brands of Pex B can expand, and some can not. Thanks for the video.

[@Vincerama]

As I understand it, you have to see if the Pex-B pipe has "F1960" stamped on it. If it does, then you can use the expansion method to connect it.

[@elBusDriverKC]

@@Vincerama Thanks for the info.

[@billsmith9249]

this guy should have probably clarified Zurn pex-b is NOT the standard pex-b that people are familiar with. I have pex-b in my crawl space... with the crimp rings (and bottlenecks) which I intend to change out to pex a. I purchased the expander tool (and a bunch of other tools) from a now-retired plumber. I am in IT and Electrical, so not a licensed plumber by any means... so I was sort of confused by this video until i did a little more research.

[@johnbeckwith1361]

Big time, confused the hell out of me.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi@@johnbeckwith1361 . I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi Bill smith. I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@ohger1]

Unless you have something that says otherwise (I'm interested), Zurn B is the same PEX B Zurn has been selling forever. The only difference is that it has been tested and certified for expansion and relabeled to say that. Many years ago I expanded some scrap B pipe with F1960 fittings and tested it under pressure and it didn't leak. I did it as an exercise but did not leave it in place.

[@jacksprat7087]

So, that connector - was it PEX-b on one end and PEX-a on the other end? Look carefully at the connectors cause they are different. That connector could void the warranty of each type.

[@larrylupe]

I called Zurn to ask them technical questions about their PEX-B product and the rep I got didn't know that Milwaukee made the tool for their expansion tool.

[@KrazyKajun602]

What about a video on talking about Pex A and Pex B in relation to chlorine in the water. Which is more resistant from chlorine damaging from inside the pipe to out?

[@Aepek]

Ok, interesting about Uponor’s Pex color pipes, and now back to white…..ok then. Assuming that is have PEX-B in house, can get Zurn PEX-B and interchange the compression fittings over to Expansion if day doing a repair; or if doing a remodel can switch go from Zurn PEX-B to PEX-A in areas that need the flexibility and back again to PEX-B while using all the Expansion Fittings? Hope that sounds right and can answer; b/c again….if that’s a 100% YES…..WOW, that’s a game changer, Again in the plumbing world👍🏻

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@Vincerama]

Is there any value to using the Zurn expander heads for Zurn Pex-B, or can you use the standard heads that come with the DeWalt/Milwaukee expander tools?

[@jimwhitaker8751]

Just curious here. If they both are expandable, then why the need to have both types? In fact, I just read from some "PRO" that you should never expand pex B. I'm not a plumber. I'm just trying not to screw up.

[@JoeLudlow]

Hi Jim. Pex B Zurn is Expandable! I personal only use Zurn and I would not expand Type B manufactured by any other Pex company.

[@rjn5579]

PEX-A is more flexible and can be repaired with a heat gun if kinked. Also, other manufacturers make and sell PEX-A in red and blue.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi@@rjn5579. If you kink any pipe, all codes require you to cut it out and install a coupling. If you use a heat gun to repair a kink in a pipe you void the factory warranty. More flexible is not a good thing in my opionion. Reheating the pipe compromises the structural integrity of the pipe permanently. buy a coupling they coast $1.00

[@patdud1979]

I think zurn pex b you can use expansion or crimp to install correct?? So best of both world…

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

That is true but I only repipe homes with F1960 fittings because those fittings are stronger and deliver the most gallons per minute posable.

[@Lg1969]

So which is better for plumbing the house and bathroom ???

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@jacksprat7087]

It’s PEX-a for me all the way.

[@John__Wayne]

Are the plastic fittings ok to use on heating systems? I’m installing new hydronic baseboards in my home and would like to use the zurn expansion system but am not sure if plastic fittings will be ok. Will they hold up as good as or better than brass for water that will be 180 degrees?

[@hdtvkeith1604]

I think the confusion is every plumber quoting my home repipe that is using Pex-B says crimp connector not expansion.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@canoeshoe]

What are people's experience with uponor with black lettering? or Uponor in general? I just got this piped for a repair so now im concerned after watching this.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn white rings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@glemast]

Are the compression rings on pex-a and pex-b the same.

[@kevinji7285]

yes they are all F1960

[@PDXBeach]

so it doesn't matter which company's expansion fittings you use? not that I would mix, but I'm leaning Pex B based on your videos. I also understand that the Milwaukee attachments are different/patented.

[@JoeLudlow]

I use Zurn Pex B pipe and fittings because I do not want any conflects with the manufactuer so I use the whole Zurn system. I do not install Uponor Pex A systems except on the homes that Uponor Warranty is paying me to repipe. I will not install Uponor pex A for a homeowner that wants a new repipe. If they insist on Pex A I tell them to call another company.

[@HauntedBranch]

@@JoeLudlow what's the problem with uponor ? I want to run a water line to my work shop . If uponor is bad I need to look at something else

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@DB-cx6cb]

@@HauntedBranch Upnor is the leader of the expansion pex industry. Opinion’s on this site can be very misleading.

[@Dirtydiapers4U]

Reality is not easy to get. Zurn f1960 fitting right now, supplies are limited and even when they pushed beginning of 2020 .

[@michaelbryant9112]

Could Chlorine be responsible for the pipe failure? Given that Chlorine treatment is used in most municipalities

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi Michael Bryant. Breakpoint Chlorination is attaching to the inside wall of the pipe in my opinion.

[@sergiofartlips]

provide some research data? Links to articles? I could explain some metal pipe and put it in a pex fitting but it doesn't mean it's designed for it

[@natem1334]

Did you forget to watch the video? It's about Zurn PEX-B, which is in fact designed and certified for expansion. Do you need help locating Zurn's website?

[@KD0CAC]

What about the fittings - I see that pexA fittings have a sharper , taller barb - than pex b fittings ?

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool.

[@kevinalmeida7159]

yes i think the confusion is does zurn sell pipe that doesnt expand? because you go on zurn website and you see 6 or more types of pex b i was thinking can just try to shop around for pex b and it either gets very technical or you get the bait and switch when searching. if all b pipe can expand can you include zurn isnt the only a or b pipe that can expand. i do not want to invest into a product that is limited to 1 source!!! i want to run to the local plumbing box store and grab some expanding b or go on ebay. problem with 1 source 1 brand creates ability for a company to set any wild price they want. if my product and my service is to high i can lose work. it also cost to much to stock

[@jeffgarner3178]

I just experimented with a different brand PEX B and it does not Fully shrink back after expansion in fact i expanded one Pex B pipe without Uponor expansion ring and it Tore.

[@kevinalmeida7159]

@@jeffgarner3178 good to know and bothersome that zurn is only B brand that expands..... but problem is zurn sells 6 different class b pipe which one expands???

[@anthonypierre2094]

You didn't explain why this works. From my understanding pex B pipe is not constantly trying to return to its original shape like pex A pipe does. Is it the expansion ring that is constantly returning to its regular size that makes this work on the pex B pipe? Please explain

[@onyxboy55]

Thanks for the information

[@jpechacek80]

This work with all Pex-B or just Zurn Pex-B?

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Zurn pex B is approved. contact the manufacture and follow the instructions every time or you will void the warranty. Every company has its own requirements.

[@Rocket-x9v]

Zurn clearly states that if you use expansion fittings on there Zurn PEX B it can crack the tubing they recommend using crimp rings, just saying. I would recommend using uponor PEX with uponor fittings ONLY.

[@sunoh100]

Hello Joe, what's the difference between Zurn Z-bite and Sharkbite? Any difference in quality?

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi Sun Oh. I use Dahl valves they are the best on the planet. I do not use Sharkbite.

[@anthonygrant7952]

No it did not help because nobody was asking how to connect 2 pipes that were both designed to use the same type of fittings. We were asking about pex b that is sold in all the home stores that have less elastic memory. (Apollo, and Sharkbite brand). Who's responsible if it fails because it's not supposed to be expanded?

[@KWMeikle]

What type of pex is the ring?

[@thingsibuild7534]

F1960 for pex A

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi@@thingsibuild7534. I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@corsoconstructioninc.3189]

Thanks again 🙏

[@rooster3019]

So far as I have seen, only ZURN's type B is expandable. Not all brands of B. Is that correct?

[@jeffbaker431]

Sioux Chief Power Pex is Pex B and can also be expanded like Zurn. They are the only two brands of Pex B that I know of that says their pex can be expanded.

[@kellyobrien6436]

Well, Souix contradicts itself on their website. In 2 areas of their site they specifically tell you that ONLY pex A is to be used for expansion fittings, whereas on another place on their site there is a specification chart that does have pex B with a checkmark approving the use of expansion fittings. I would recommend that you check with them first to clarify if pex B is in fact approved for expansion fittings befor buying it. And be sure to tell them about the errors on their website too. Hope this helps.

[@jaromrobinson2339]

Check the actual PEX tubing to see if it has F1960 listed. Always check the physical product for the listing if in doubt.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@kathyern861]

@@IntegrityRepipeInc What is the difference between a Zurn head and a Milwaukee head? In your video, you used a Zurn head to expand an Uponor pipe - so - it doesn't make sense. Are you using a Zurn head on a Zurn pipe "just to make sure things go right"?

[@Adam666i]

So it's possible to expand Pex B in the same way as Pex A? And just this special ring to shrink back the pipe ie enough to shrink it? That would resolve the biggest issue of Pex B connectors which is decreased internal diameter resulting in lower water pressure

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Zurn Pex B F 1960 fittings.

[@r6u356une56ney]

Should be clear that while Zurn's is, not ALL PEX-B pipe is suitable to use with F1960 connections.

[@ronaldnaeyaert3653]

Has anybody seen a expansion pex to pex b crimp coupling?

[@rayngalloway3852]

That is what I'm trying to figure out

[@markw2266]

Exactly why I'm here. What I see is he's expanding pex B and using the pex A coupling. I'm switching over that expanding ring looks like the way to go.

[@markw2266]

I just watched a upload of a guy using a crimp ring on pex A. So I guess the unofficial solution might be Pex B fitting with a crimp. Officially pex A to Pex B either sweat or threaded for the warranty to be good. Really odd that there isn't just a simple connector and a 90 degree fitting as well.

[@troylitle3116]

Just crimp both pipes with a crimp coupling

[@guidedbygreen1480]

@@markw2266 PEX a and PEX b can be crimped

[@johnbeckwith1361]

The internet is clogged with Uponor expansion or pex B crimp. Zurn gets lost when trying to do a search. Personally, for me to have to hear about this from this guy tells me Zurn's marketing department is a total cluster F .

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi John Beckwith. I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@MAFOP1029]

You're just confusing the shit out of this subject with your explanations. Pex pipe, style A or B are typically available in white, blue and red. The colors red and blue are made so folks can run blue for cold, red for hot. Or white if you don't care. Uponor and Zurn make expansion Pex which shrinks back around the fittings. The fitting are the same size inside diameter and don't restrict water flow. The other brands of flex that are not expansion type, install using crimp rings or cinch rings. The fitting are smaller inside diameter and will restrict water flow the more fitting you have. Box stores usually sell pex you crimp for DYIers. The expansion type takes a $400 expansion tool. Hence its more a pro used pex. Unfortunately the industry confuses things with the PEX A & B designation being used on both styles....

[@jeffgarner3178]

WARNING this does not work identically!!! PEX B Pipe DOES Not Contract FULLY After expansion at least the brand PEX B Pipe I used.. IN fact mine tore using PEX B Pipe as an experiment without expansion sleeve. I live in Georgia and my PEX B was sold under the Sharkbite Branding at Home Depot and I don't think Zurn Pex B is sold anywhere around here. Yes I can use however Pex B crimp rings on Pex A pipe according to Apollo which also sells PEX A pipe and fittings at Home Depot in Georgia. Now I have to tear out 3 fittings using PEX A fitting on a transition from PEX B pipe to PEX A pipe before I get a flood.

[@killjoy0484]

You used the wrong type of pex-b. It needs to be zurn branding pex-b. (larger & able to expand) Its different than the traditional & smaller pex-b crimp style you purchased,

[@guidedbygreen1480]

@@killjoy0484 that is ridiculous, they need to do a rebrand and differentiate themselves, otherwise it's too confusing...

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@kathymorgan8310]

I got absolutely nothing out of this video. Any PEX can be cold expanded but the difference is that each pipe manufacturer has their own policy and position on cold expansion fittings. Cold weather expansion has limits and potential damage can happen with anyone's PEX regardless of PEX-a, b, or c.

[@bryanfogleman4549]

Maybe you didn't listen to the stated intent of the demo?

[@Adam666i]

Read more about Pex A & Pex B differencies and then you'll understand what this video is all about

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi@@bryanfogleman4549. I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi@Arman Arashvand . I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion.

[@barbaraadams868]

@Arman Arashvand That is NOT TRUE, this is not just a man's work . I have watched many of Joe Ludlow's videos and they all make a lot of sense. I installed all of the pex plumbing and I installed all of the infloor heating in our 4,000 sq.ft. house in Alaska about twenty years ago using Wirsbo, now called Uponor, fortunately, we have our own well so there should not be any problems with the chlorination that is destroying the inside of the Uponor pipes. We are getting ready to do another home in Alaska and I will be doing all of the pex plumbing and infloor heating but this time I will not use Uponor, I will go with Zurn Pex B F1960 because of the very informative videos that Joe Ludlow has done, even though we will have our own well. I am a 73-year-old woman from Alaska, don't underestimate Alaskan women. I also did all of the electrical work in our home, a cottage, and a cabin, from the design layout, drilling holes, putting in the boxes, pulling wires, putting in the breakers, running and installing sub panels, and putting in all of the fixtures. All self-taught and everything was inspected by a professional inspector and passed with flying colors. Last year we sold that home for over half a million dollars $675,000.

[@mohawkmike142]

Nice click bait . NOTHING on joining the the two types just another video taking a shot a Uponor. It's getting old Joe.

[@IntegrityRepipeInc]

Hi Moomike Laloo. I use Zurn Pex B and Zurn F 1960 fittings and Zurn Factory heads on a Milwaukee tool. I will do a video to remedy the confusion. That being said if you paid $10,000 to repipe your home would you like that pipe to last 7 years or would you prefer it to last 25 years?

[@jacksprat7087]

I wouldn’t use Integrity to plumb my chicken house.