The water pipe connection system in hydraulic installations should be properly designed and made. This determines its durability and reliability. A very popular material used for water installations is PEX. It is durable, yet flexible, corrosion-resistant and easy to install. PEX pipes can be twisted or clamped. And here the question arises: which is better? How to connect water pipes?
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Durability of the hydraulic system and the method of connecting pipes
The durability of a plumbing system depends on various factors, primarily the quality of the materials used, but also on how the pipes were connected. In water installations made of PEX pipes, there are two connection methods available - screwed and crimped.
The bolted system is quick to install, and no specialist tools are required. However, such an installation can become loose over time, especially when vibrations occur or pressure conditions in the installation change. This causes leaks, leading to damage to the installation.
Clamped connections, on the other hand, are characterized by high tightness and greater resistance to long-term loads. They are therefore more stable in difficult working conditions. These properties mean that this type of connection is very often chosen for PEX pipes , especially for central heating installations and in heating installations.
In the following paragraphs, we will take a closer look at the specifics of both solutions, listing the most important advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages and disadvantages of PEX screw connections
As we already know, PEX pipe can be screwed or crimped, and now we will learn the strengths and weaknesses of both methods. Let's start with the screwed connection, which is very popular because it is easy to install. Anyone can handle it, especially since it does not require any specialist tools or skills.
This allows for quick installation, which is especially important during home renovations and repairs. Equally important, this connection provides the possibility of multiple installations, which is very important when we need to modify the installation. It is no coincidence that the use of this method is widespread.
However, it also has some serious drawbacks. When the pipe “works”, because it is susceptible to vibrations and changing water pressure, the connections can become loose. This leads to the risk of leaks. And when this happens, it is not so easy to locate the leak. Often, the durability of these connections is also weaker, especially if they are made of poor quality plastics. Such material can malfunction.
Advantages and disadvantages of PEX compression fittings
PEX water pipe can also be connected by means of a clamp. This solution is often used in various types of hydraulic installations - for heating installations, domestic hot water, etc. Therefore, it is chosen for use wherever a high level of durability and resistance is needed.
It is characterized by high tightness, which is achieved by special devices, such as a PEX pipe crimper . This minimizes the risk of leaks. Such connections are not afraid of pressure changes or vibrations, which makes them an ideal solution for systems that require stability in difficult conditions.
The disadvantage may be that specialist tools are required for assembly, which may increase the initial costs. Nevertheless, this investment will pay off in time, because the connections will be better, more solidly made, which will reduce the risk of failure. This will translate into a longer service life of the system. Another disadvantage is that disassembly of crimped connections may be more difficult than screwed connections. Therefore, if we are waiting for any repairs or modifications, complications may arise here.
It's hard to say which method is better, because it all depends on the work we want to do. However, we have a full picture of the strengths and weaknesses of both methods, so you can answer this question yourself.