Omar Khalid
Plastic PEX fittings are made from polysulfone or polyphenylsulfone, which are highly incompatible with acetone, a chemical commonly found in PVC and ABS cleaners. When exposed to acetone, plastic PEX fittings often shatter within days or weeks. Plastic PEX fittings can also be damaged by exposure to UV light, spray foam insulation, and essential oils. They may also be more prone to cracking under extreme pressure or freezing conditions, especially with minimal insulation. Over-tightening during installation or excessive movement in the plumbing system can also cause stress fractures in the fittings.
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What You'll Learn
Extreme pressure or freezing conditions
PEX pipes are flexible and can withstand high-pressure freezing conditions better than rigid pipes. However, they are still susceptible to bursting in extreme conditions. When water freezes, it expands, and while it is not the expansion of ice that damages the pipe, the ice forms a plug that grows down the length of the pipe, pushing against the water trapped inside. As water is incompressible, the pressure increases, and the pipes must expand. PEX pipes may be able to expand and relieve some pressure, but any factor impeding this expansion can result in cracks and splits.
Regular freeze-thaw cycles can cause PEX pipes to lose their flexibility, making them more prone to leaks and other issues. PEX pipes will freeze if the temperature drops to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, and pipes that are not insulated may freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the freezing point of water. Insulated PEX pipes may be more resistant to freezing.
To prevent PEX pipes from freezing, it is recommended to insulate the pipes, winterize the home, and keep the pipes away from direct sunlight. Burying PEX pipes below the ground frost line for outdoor installations can also help. Additionally, maintaining a constant hot water temperature in pipes using a hot water recirculation system can protect against freezing.
If PEX pipes have already frozen, it is important to shut off the main water supply and run the faucets connected to the piping until they empty. Using a hair dryer or heat trace tape can help thaw the pipes, but if there is a crack, a plumber should be called to resolve the issue.
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Exposure to acetone
Plastic PEX fittings are made from polysulfone or polyphenylsulfone, which are highly incompatible with acetone, a chemical commonly found in PVC and ABS cleaners and primers. When exposed to acetone, the plastic fittings will often shatter under limited stress within a matter of days or weeks.
Acetone is a powerful solvent that can break down, dilute, and dissolve anything it touches, including certain types of plastic pipe. It serves as a plasticizer, softening CPVC pipe surfaces and preparing them to receive glue or cement. Despite its popularity, acetone was recently added to a list of chemicals that can potentially break down and dissolve CPVC, PVC, and ABS pipes.
The most significant risk that acetone poses to CPVC is when it is applied in freezing temperatures. When used in these temperatures, acetone has the potential to break down the molecular chains that hold CPVC together. After enough chains break down, the CPVC pipe can start to experience environmental stress cracking, which could lead to eventual failure.
In general, ketones are known to be incompatible with plastics, including CPVC. When acetone and other ketones come into contact with CPVC, it slowly breaks down and dissolves the molecular chains that hold CPVC together. If enough chains break, the CPVC starts to crack and splinter. Eventually, the pipe and attached fitting material will break apart enough to cause leaks and holes in the pipe.
While acetone can cause potential problems with CPVC, including pipe failure, these problems aren't instant. It can take years, or even decades, for acetone to break down CPVC enough to cause serious issues. In many cases, acetone alone isn't enough to be a severe risk. Other factors, such as improper installation, insufficient pipe hangers, and exposure to the sun, can also damage CPVC pipes. It often takes a combination of these problems to cause enough environmental stress cracking to break down CPVC piping systems.
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UV light exposure
Plastic PEX fittings can be damaged by exposure to UV light. UV light can originate from sunlight or fluorescent light bulbs and is an aggressive oxidizer.
To limit UV light exposure, it is recommended to store plastic PEX fittings in areas that are not directly in sunlight. For example, plastic piping should be installed in shaded areas or under structures designed to provide shade. This can significantly reduce UV exposure before, during, and after installation. For pipelines that run outdoors, burying them underground provides full protection against UV degradation.
In addition to sunlight, fluorescent light bulbs can also emit UV light. Therefore, it is important to protect plastic PEX fittings from both sources of UV light. One way to do this is by painting the fittings with a compatible latex paint to minimize the impact of UV light.
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Installation errors
Plastic PEX fittings are made from polysulfone or polyphenylsulfone, which are incompatible with acetone, a chemical found in PVC and ABS cleaners and primers. Plastic PEX fittings exposed to acetone will often shatter within days or weeks.
When using crimp or clamp/cinch to install a PEX system, the tool should be calibrated beforehand to ensure enough pressure is applied to create a seal without causing damage. Using a crimp tool that is not calibrated can lead to problems with PEX crimp fittings. "Double crimping" may also create a poor seal between the fitting and pipe.
It is also important to keep PEX away from sunlight. Like most plastics, PEX will degrade when exposed to direct sunlight or prolonged UV light, causing brittleness and cracking.
Water quality is another important factor. Over-chlorination of water can reduce the service life of the pipe. DeZincification, caused by certain water chemistry, results in the leaching of zinc from brass alloy and weakens the fitting.
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Over-tightening during installation
Over-tightening plastic PEX fittings during installation can cause cracking and splitting. This is due to the stress fractures that occur in the fittings when they are over-tightened. It is important to achieve a balance when tightening the compression nut, as the nut should be tight enough to form a secure seal but not so tight that it damages the fitting or the pipe. Using an adjustable wrench can help to apply the correct amount of torque.
To avoid cracking plastic PEX fittings, it is recommended to use high-quality PEX-approved compression fittings from reputable manufacturers. It is also important to ensure that the pipe end is smooth and free of burrs by using a deburring tool. If the pipe is too rigid, especially in colder temperatures, gently heat the end of the pipe with a heat gun or warm water to make it more pliable. This should make it easier to insert into the fitting.
In addition to over-tightening, plastic PEX fittings can also crack due to exposure to UV light, spray foam insulation, acetone, and essential oils. Direct sunlight or prolonged UV exposure can cause the plastic to become brittle, increasing the risk of cracking and leaks. Acetone, a chemical commonly found in PVC and ABS cleaners and primers, can cause plastic PEX fittings to shatter within days or weeks. Essential oils have also been known to make plastics brittle, potentially contributing to cracking.
To prevent cracking and ensure the longevity of plastic PEX fittings, it is crucial to use the correct type of fitting for the specific PEX pipe being used and to follow the manufacturer's specifications for torque and technique. Regular maintenance checks and inspections can help identify and address potential problems early on.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic PEX fittings are prone to cracking under extreme pressure or freezing conditions, especially when installed in places with minimal insulation. Over-tightening during installation can also cause stress fractures in the fittings.
Prolonged exposure to UV light, direct sunlight, and spray foam insulation can cause plastic PEX fittings to become brittle and crack over time. Additionally, exposure to acetone, a chemical found in PVC and ABS cleaners, can cause the plastic to shatter.
Discoloration, such as "popcorning", on the surface of the PEX pipe, can indicate potential chlorine degradation, which may lead to cracks. Pinhole leaks in the fittings or pipes can also be an early sign of degradation.
