Does PEX reduce water flow?

Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality
4.5/5 (1,991 Views . 23 Votes)
Pex/plastic pipe have higher flow rates than copper. However pex fittings ID (inside diameter) is smaller than the pipe of the same size, so it actually does impede water flow.



Herein, do shark bites reduce water flow?

Your not gonna see much of a drop comparing shark bites to just soldered connections. Technically the answer is absolutely no. They will not effect pressure at all. They may effect flow rates and while theoretically different there is a real correlation between the two.

One may also ask, what is the flow rate of 1/2 PEX pipe? Pressure Drop Table (psi per 100ft of tubing length)
Flow rate, GPM PEX tubing size
1/2" 1"
1.0 1.70 0.10
2.0 5.30 0.35
3.0 11.0 0.63

Correspondingly, do 90 degree fittings restrict water flow?

yes 90 degree bends restrict the flow, no matter if you are using high flow or low flow. Yes that is correct, but the more applicable answer is the degree to which they affect flow. In a high flow situation they cause more problems than in lower flowing applications.

What PSI are SharkBite fitting hold?

200 psi

31 Related Question Answers Found

Are SharkBite fittings reliable?

If you need to repair or replace copper plumbing in your home, a SharkBite fitting is an excellent choice. Sharkbites are approved for use underground and behind walls, but installing them there could be risky. A SharkBite fitting contains a rubber O-ring, which is not best for permanent connections.

Do SharkBite fittings last?

How long do SharkBite fittings last? SharkBite fittings last a long time. In fact, SharkBite warrants the fittings for 25 years when used with SharkBite tubing.

Do elbows affect water pressure?

My understanding of plumbing is that water flows more like electricity than air, so the 90 elbows should have minimal effect on pressure - unless the elbows all have a reduced interior diameter. no fittings will not reduce pressure. height will. also, volume is not the same as pressure.

Do you need the plastic insert for SharkBite fittings?

SharkBite fittings come with a PEX stiffener pre-loaded into the fitting for PEX, PE-RT and HDPE. The PEX stiffener does not need to be removed for Copper or CPVC applications. Push the fitting to the insertion mark you just made on the pipe.

How do you bend PEX pipe?


How to Bend PEX Tubing
  1. Run a length of PEX tubing along your intended path.
  2. Place a PEX strap or a PEX hanger over the PEX tubing while allowing the tubing to move (because the tubing will expand and contract depending on temperature variations).

Why is PEX banned in California?

Church, executive director of the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association. Uponor Wirsbo said its PEX pipe was introduced in California in 1990 and that the product helps solve problems in areas with aggressive soil conditions that copper pipe cannot solve.

How many GPM can a 1/2 pipe flow?

Metric PVC Pipe
Assume Average Pressure. (20-100PSI) About 12f/s flow velocity
1/2" .50-.60" 14 gpm
3/4" .75-.85" 23 gpm
1" 1.00-1.03" 37 gpm
1.25" 1.25-1.36" 62 gpm

What is the psi rating of PEX?

Most PEX tubing will be rated for: 160 psi at 73°F. 100 psi at 180°F. 80 psi at 200°F.

What diameter PEX should I use?

PEX tubes range in diameter from 3/8-inch to 1-inch for residential applications. For adequate water flow, it's a good idea to install 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch PEX for your main lines. The standard when replacing old water supply lines with PEX is to use the same size.

What type of PEX tubing should I use?


There are three different types of PEX tubing: PEX-a, PEX-b and PEX-c. Uponor manufactures PEX-a tubing, which is considered the superior type of PEX in the industry because the crosslinking is done during the manufacturing process when polyethylene is in its amorphic state (above the crystalline melting point).

Can PEX be used for air lines?

PEX is designed for liquids and shouldn't be used for air lines. The tubing is "likely" ok, but the fittings are not, AFAIK. There is a similar product out there, however, that is designed for air.

How many GPM is 3/4 PEX?

water flow thru main line 3/4 pex. Have a new 5/8 meter flowing 28 gpm at house side of meter, proptery goes up a 10 ft incline to house.

Does pipe size affect water pressure?

Increasing the pipe diameter won't change the static pressure (the pressure when no water is flowing). When you open a spigot, however, the water pressure at that spigot decreases somewhat, and because a larger pipe provides a lower resistance to flow, the water pressure will decrease less with the larger pipe.

How much water can a 1/2 copper pipe flow?

Water Flow (GPM/GPH) based on Pipe Size and Inside/Outside Diameters
Assume Average Pressure (20-100PSI). About 12 f/s flow velocity
Pipe Size (Sch. 40) I.D. (range) GPH (w/ min. PSI loss & noise)
1/2" 0.5 - 0.6" 840
3/4" 0.75 - 0.85" 1,410
1" 1 - 1.03" 2,200

Why is PEX plumbing bad?


PEX failures
Piping fails when the pipes are exposed to chlorine that is within the water, exposure to direct sunlight before its installation. Furthermore PEX pipe is vulnerable when it comes in contact with such solutions as petroleum products and oxygen. It can leach toxic chemicals from pipe material also.

Can PEX be connected directly to a water heater?

PEX can't be directly connected to a water heater. First extend a pipe 18 in. from your water heater and connect the PEX supply to the pipe.

Should I replace copper with PEX?

The installer recommends replacing my copper pipes with PEX. If so, you could get another 23 years out of your copper pipes and spare the cost to replace plumbing. If it's a small area that's leaking, you could just replace that section with either PEX or copper. Both types are interchangeable.