PEX Pipe as a Sustainable Alternative

PEX (polyethylene) pipe reduces plumbing costs by as much as 30%.  With the price of copper as it is, PEX pipe plumbing becomes a viable, if not requested, alternative to copper plumbing.  It takes considerably less time to install PEX pipe plumbing.  Further, PEX plumbing offers the DIYer an opportunity to plumb a fixture without cutting off the main water valve to the house.  Consequently, there is no need for the wife to miss out on her daily soak in the tub because Mr. Fix it is installing a bathroom vainity for the first time.

Advantageously, the manifold, pictured here, controls water flow through out the home.  The manifold controls the water flow down to hot and cold to each individual fixture.  In other words, the ingenuity of the manifold allows the home owner to isolate a fixture, for example the master bathroom double sink vanity.  Evenmore, the manifold will allow the home owner further isolate by choosing sink 1 or sink 2.  Finally, the home owner has the ability to choose only the hot water or the cold water or both.  For example, let's assume the master shower has began leaking profusely.  The home owner may not have time to immediately make the repair.  Instead of allowing the leak to persist, the home owner would simply go to the manifold and shut off both the hot and cold water supply lines to the shower, which would not affect the water supply through out the remainder of the house.  The PEX pipe manifold is a technological leap forward.

A sustainable use of the manifold deals with rainwater collection and distribution.  The manifold allows distribution, without commingling, of more than one source of water.  The manifold can easily direct the collected rainwater to hose bibs and toilets and, if the home owner is comfortable enough, the washing machine.  Imagine how much the water footprint is reduced by using collected rainwater.

Currently, JBM Properties, my real estate investment company, installed PEX piping in the home being rehabbed. The picture was taken in the home being rehabbed.  The home should be ready for the market by the end of this month (October 2012).  Anyone interested in reviewing the PEX pipe on-site before completion of the rehab, is encouraged to call for an appointment.  Further, any questions should be directed to my email address.

Finally, when faced with replumbing, consider PEX piping as a cost and time efficient alternative to the traditional plumbing options.