In this day and age, there are many interesting and creative ways of plumbing. One of the most popular home plumbing materials today is PEX (Cross-Linked Polyethylene), an intuitive plumbing and fitting system that is flexible enough to get around floor and wall obstructions, yet tough enough to withstand corrosion and hot water. PEX pipes are attached to plastic or metal fittings at the hub in the system by crimping rather than glue or welding. When it comes to PEX pipe vs flexible PVC, which is the better choice?

Flexible PVC is exactly what it sounds like. It is a flexible pipe of the same size as normal PVC and can be attached to PVC fittings with flexible PVC cement. Flexible PVC is usually much thicker than PEX pipe because of its 40 size and wall thickness. Read on to find out if PEX pipe or flexible PVC is better for your application!

material ingredient
The two materials look similar due to their flexible properties, but their composition, application and installation are quite different. We’ll start by looking at the material. PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene. It is made of high-density polyethylene with cross-linked bonds in the polymer structure. It sounds complicated, but it just means that the material is flexible and can withstand high pressures (up to 180F for plumbing applications).

Flexible PVC is made from the same basic material as regular PVC: polyvinyl chloride. However, plasticizers are added to the compound to give it flexibility. Flexible PVC can withstand temperatures from -10F to 125F, so it is not suitable for hot water. Still, it’s very useful in several applications, which we’ll cover in the next section.

application
The difference between the two pipes is greater than their structure. They are also used in completely different applications. PEX pipe is most commonly used in domestic and commercial plumbing due to its minimal space requirements and high temperature resistance. PEX is perfect for these jobs because it can easily bend and bend in any direction without using too many accessories. It’s easier to install than copper, which has been the hot water standard for generations.

Flexible PVC pipe may not handle hot water, but it has other advantages. Its structural and chemical toughness make flexible PVC ideal for pools and irrigation. Chlorine used for pool water has little effect on this tough pipe. Flex PVC is also great for garden irrigation, as it can meander anywhere you need it without dozens of annoying accessories.

As you can see, comparing PEX pipe to flexible PVC is like pitting a baseball team against a hockey team. They are so different, they can’t even compete with each other! However, this is not where the differences end. We’ll look at one of the more salient features of each type of pipe: the installation. Read more about PEX apps in this article from The Family Handyman.

Install
This time we’ll start with flexible PVC, as it’s mounted in a way we’re very familiar with at PVC Fittings Online. The pipe is fitted with the same type of fittings as normal PVC pipe. Because it has nearly the same chemical composition as standard PVC, flexible PVC can be primed and cemented to PVC fittings. Special flexible PVC cement is available which is designed to withstand the vibrations and pressures commonly found in swimming pools and spa systems.

pex tees, crimp rings and crimp tools PEX pipes use a unique connection method. Instead of glue or welding, PEX uses barbed metal or plastic fittings that are spaced or placed on the hub. Plastic tubing is attached to these barbed ends by means of metal crimp rings, which are crimped with special crimping tools. Using this method, the connection takes only a few seconds. When it comes to home plumbing, PEX systems take less time to install than copper or CPVC. The photo to the right shows a polyalloy PEX tee, a brass crimp ring, and a crimp tool, all available in our store!