PEX A Vs PEX B Pros & Cons | And Why They Are Not Interchangeable

In this video plumber Robert Deyl and I discuss PEX A & PEX B and how both types are connected to fittings. Robert also explains why you should not try to connect PEX A to PEX B fittings and vice-versa.
You can contact Robert Deyl Plumbing online
www.robertdeylplumbing.com/
This video is Not sponsored by any of the products mentioned.
This post may contain affiliate links which means i may receive a paid commission for purchases made through affiliate links. I will only recommend products that i have personally used.
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John Laforme
Certified CREIA Inspector Member #0155263
Home Inspection Authority LLC
Former President of CREIA Mid Valley Chapter
Former Vice President of CREIA Mid Valley Chapter
00:00 Introduction to PEX A & PEX B
01:08 PEX A expansion ring install
01:31 Expansion Tool Demonstration
02:51 PEX A & PEX B are different Systems that are not compatible
03:28 PEX B Crimping Tool Demonstration
04:06 DIY Install Mixed up the 2 types of fittings
06:10 Robert Lets John tryout the Expansion Tool
07:38 PEX should not be exposed to the sun
07:53 Shark Bite fitting demonstration
11:26 PEX Strapping
14:53 Copper To PEX Connection Demonstration

[@lon_dawg]

ZURN Pex B is expandable using F1960 fittings, not sure what makes it different from other Pex B piping on the market.

[@thenexthobby]

Yep, and Zurn doesn’t even bother to advertise their pipe as A or B, probably to avoid confusion by people who only get information from videos like this. Why any inspector would read the A or B designation stamped on a pipe but ignore the ASTM spec for deciding if it’s connected properly remains a curiosity.

[@avidube2973]

Just redid my whole house with Zurn Pex B all with expansion fittings. Super fast! Only had to keep one exposed area in the kitchen as copper. Could not be happier to get rid of that crappy 34 year old copper and the never ending slab leaks!

[@Roy-ij1wq]

ZURN Pex B - yes. Other brands not always. Need to check the specs.

[@hillwright6609]

Zurn products expansion fittings are not available at any of the local supply houses or online. unless you order bag or box quantities because distributors won't sell Zurn Pex and Zurn won't sell Pex in smaller quantities. I wanted this product but Zurn only sells in bag or box quantities and distributors like Ferguson now have their own brand Jones Stephens so they won't have stock.

[@davidcoronado3490]

@@hillwright6609Ferguson will order it for you and they do stock it here in the mid-Atlantic. Ordered some Zurn PEX pipe yesterday and picked up today.

[@hippo-potamus]

Fantastic talk! Very informative. Thank you.

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Happy to help!

[@mrandresfloresable]

Pex B w the stainless steel crimps are the way to go. I installed in my house 15 years ago and not one leak. Made it thru the Houston freeze just fine. Holds up in the attic w extreme houston Temps in summer. Not sure how pex a stays together in both occasions. 🤔 I feel like when crimped correctly it is better than pex a. Just my 2 cents

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Great to hear you used PEX B with no issues. I just prefer PEX A as it seems like a better application. Just my opinion. Thank You for your Comment👌

[@Roy-ij1wq]

Don't forget that some electric systems are grounded through copper and/or galvanized water pipes. When you add a sharkbite connector or replace a section of metal pipe with Pex you break the ground path. The solution is to install a ground wire between the ends of the splice.

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

correct maybe we can cover that next time. Good input thank you.

[@shockingshorts8043]

Some now we're getting somewhere maybe that's what it is I am under the mistaken impression that you guys are actually talking about the tankless's that are worth a f*** yeah I like my bad I don't know Jack s*** about any electric tankless systems because they're f****** garbage like so much so that like you should just like take it out of the box and throw it in the garbage I mean unless you just really like doing that much serious electrical work that is going to be expensive as hell unless you're doing it yourself but yeah good luck in all your endeavors I really don't give a s*** who you guys want to lie to you I don't f****** know you You ain't never going to see me I ain't never going to see you so I don't give a s*** what you're f****** doing on KZbin Ball this video up real tight and stuff it up your f****** ass.

[@dafellmd]

You didn't say whether the crimp ring type connections can be used with PEX-A. I understand that they reduce flow a little, hence the reason for using expansion links, but I don't want to spend $500 for the expansion tool when I'm only rarely doing a PEX repair job.

[@Dave-ld3dr]

Can use crimp rings on Pex A pipe?Is there Fittings that are intended for Pex A or Pex B or should I buy a Pex B fitting such as an elbow for Pex B only?

[@mike-kx8hq]

I’ve been using all of these methods for well over 10 years now. The only problems I’ve had with any of them has been from user error. The only things I stay away from are copper crimp rings and concealed push fittings. I personally prefer pex-b with stainless crimp rings. Built my own home in 2010 using this method and have yet to have a single leak from them. Also, Zurn pex-b is expandable.

[@johnwhite2576]

Mike-why do you prefer the stainless crimps versus expansion (the later are fool proof visually easily inspected, and tighten over time

[@johnwhite2576]

That’s not a screw up mixed fiiitng-Pex b is expandable ! How double an ‘expert’ be so wrong ??

[@hoplawego]

how do you differentiate pex a and pex b fittings?

[@litoloco4fish]

what do you know about this issue with uponor pex cracking from chlorine in water...huge lawsuits going on....my home built in 2003 has this pex A ....it has some discoloration now in hot side...im really worried because my whole house is done with this crap...

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Hi, I was not aware of this issue, do you have any links to the lawsuits filed? im sure the other tubers would like to read up on this as would I. Thanks

[@shockingshorts8043]

No a****** I think what he meant when he asked you about the strapping is how do you hang this how do you hang this pipe underneath a house or anywhere else for that matter because a lot of people seem to think they can use copper straps or any other metal strap that they have and they're absolutely f****** wrong.

[@thenexthobby]

The fittings are not determined by the method used to create the pipe. The fittings are instead described by ASTM. If a pipe conforms to a particular ASTM standard, it can safely use those fittings no matter if it’s A or B. And so … pipe should be stamped (inked) with whatever ASTM fittings it can take. Regardless, this is what spec sheets are for.

[@johnwhite2576]

Hello Zion does have expansion joints !1

[@shockingshorts8043]

What I don't understand is why doesn't anybody on KZbin read a book before they go and do a podcast or a video and start making all these claims and telling everybody what it is and isn't a simple book or some information or maybe some statistics hey now that might be something else huh?

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

I cant read sorry!

[@shockingshorts8043]

There goes that word again and I used to think man these people who are doing all this pex work dude God you know my 6-year-old son probably could have done a better job well not exactly you see whenever you actually see pecs that looks like it's been ran by a 5-year-old those are the people who are actually doing it correctly pics is supposed to be installed with a little bit extra so it can move around hence you not being able to use metal straps that's why that is. Not only does it expand and contract but it quite literally moves around and needs slack to be able to do.

[@MaximGhost]

A huge difference between Pex-A and Pex-B that was important for my own application is that Pex-B fittings are generally more restrictive.

[@thenexthobby]

Yeah, so if you come across loose copper bibs, copper isn’t really any better than PEX, is it? Brackets exist to make PEX rigid where it exists the wall for fixtures.

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Lets agree to disagree on this, I prefer a copper stub out properly fastened over a PEX stub out any day.

[@thenexthobby]

@@Therealhomeinspectionauthority I didn't state a preference, but "OK."

[@thefew6332]

Mr. LaForme, great, great Shows! I am currently a Public Works Construction Inspector for a City Agency. How do I become Home Inspector like yourself? I want to expand my Career and learn more valuable criteria.

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

What state are you in?

[@thefew6332]

@@Therealhomeinspectionauthority So Cal

[@AS-tt8ui]

I use pex b. It is more resistant to chlorine and uv.

[@shockingshorts8043]

And everybody leaves this out that shark bite fitting that you have in your hand probably upwards of $10.99 at least now go buy a hundred of those and plum a house up and see how you feel about it at the end.

[@thenexthobby]

No one needs to worry about press-to-fit (Sharkbite) leaking, because it’s not chosen in the first place due to cost. But is it known to leak? Nope.

[@bbwbetter254]

Not a very good video so far,leaving out important information. Like the head of the pex tool,has different SIZE heads,the right head must be used with the right size pex A pipe. 1/2 head want work for a 3/4 pex A pipe, Also the pex hand held non rotating head that you need to rotate the tool,to help prevent a leak.

[@Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Thanks for watching! Don't forget to subscribe 😀

[@shockingshorts8043]

You are not correct pex b dose come with expansion fittings and pipe it's called zurn although you're absolutely right about those copper rings being garbage because they absolutely are zearn makes a PEX b pipe that is an expansion system learn about it before you go on a podcast and start running your mouth about what it is and what it isn't.

[@thenexthobby]

A will often cost less than B, which is why pros will not mind spending $500 for that Milwaukee, whereas the homeowner will only spend $50 for the crimp tool and not mind spending more on the pipe.

[@shockingshorts8043]

Gee rubbing you say huh now why would you not want that to happen or why would that happen furthermore what is it that that pipes doing that it needs to be loosely strapped like that with a piece of plastic coming in contact with the plastic pipe?😮

[@shockingshorts8043]

And shark bites only belong in the circus people in the circus do shark bite they're called clowns.

[@shockingshorts8043]

What is your wired obsession with being able to see the leak that you're about to cause That's kind of ass backwards if you ask me I bet you your customers think the very same thing.