PEX tubing has emerged as a versatile and reliable plumbing solution, particularly for cabins that remain unoccupied during the winter months. This article delves into the history of PEX tubing, its inventor, and its growing popularity. Additionally, it highlights the significant advantage of PEX over copper in terms of preventing metal leaching into water.
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing was first developed in the 1960s by a German inventor named Thomas Engel. Engel recognized the limitations of traditional plumbing materials and sought to create a durable, flexible, and corrosion-resistant alternative. After years of setbacks, tireless experimentation and refinement, Engel successfully patented PEX tubing in 1968.
A. Freeze Resistance: PEX tubing has excellent freeze resistance properties, making it particularly well-suited for cabins that are unoccupied during winter. Unlike rigid materials such as copper, PEX tubing can expand and contract without sustaining damage, reducing the risk of burst pipes, trips in the middle of the night, clean up, and costly repairs.
B. Flexibility: PEX tubing is highly flexible, allowing for easy installation even in tight and confined spaces. Its ability to bend and maneuver around obstacles simplifies the plumbing process in cabins where space constraints are common. Type A PEX the kind that Hambly Water Conditioning uses does require an expensive expansion tool.
C. Corrosion Resistance: Unlike copper pipes, which can corrode over time, PEX tubing is highly resistant to corrosion. This eliminates the risk of metal leaching into the water supply, ensuring cleaner and healthier water for cabin owners. When water sits in pipes the chances of leaching increases geometrically. Note: When water is regularly; moved through pipes and the pH is within optimal range there is little concern of leaching from copper piping.
Since its introduction, PEX tubing has gained significant popularity in the plumbing industry. The numerous benefits offered by PEX, including its durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion, have led to its widespread adoption in residential and commercial plumbing systems. Hambly Water Conditioning uses PEX pipe on about 90% of our installations.
PEX tubing's ease of installation, lower cost compared to copper, and superior freeze resistance have made it an attractive choice for winterized cabins. Plumbers and homeowners alike recognize the advantages that PEX tubing brings to plumbing systems, especially in places like Northern Michigan where pipes are exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations.
PEX tubing has revolutionized the plumbing industry, offering a reliable and efficient alternative to traditional materials like copper. Its invention by Thomas Engel in the 1960s paved the way for a plumbing solution that is highly flexible, freeze-resistant, and corrosion-resistant. Particularly for cabins that sit empty over winter, PEX tubing provides peace of mind by reducing the risk of burst pipes and preventing metal leaching into the water supply. As its popularity continues to grow, PEX tubing is likely to remain a go-to choice for plumbing systems in a wide range of applications, including winterized cabins.
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