Page 1
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Making Crimp Connections
Cut tube off square (90°)
STEP
with a tube cutter.
1
YOU’LL NEED
Tube Cutter
Slide the PEX crimp ring over the end
STEP
of the PEX tube leaving about ¼″ of the
2
tube showing. Insert the tting into the
end of the tube. BE SURE the crimp ring
is centered over the PEX barb.
Slide the PEX sleeve over the end of
STEP
the PEX tube fully. Insert the tting into
2
the end of the tube. BE SURE the tting
is inserted fully into the pipe.
Center the jaws of the correct size
STEP
crimp tool over the crimp ring or sleeve.
3
Be sure the tool is held STRAIGHT and
close the jaws completely. CRIMP/
PRESS ONE TIME ONLY! If you do not
get a proper crimp connection the rst
time, cut the tting off and start from
the beginning.
YOU’LL NEED
Compression/Crimp Tool
Note: sleeves and crimp rings are to be used
with either ASTM F1807 or F2159 ttings along
with the appropriate tool.
Installation Guide
BE SURE TO CHECK EVERY CRIMP
STEP
JOINT! Every crimp joint should be
4
checked with the GO/NO GO Gauge. If
the designated GO slot ts over and will
rotate around the crimped ring, you have
made a proper crimp. If the crimped ring
will t in the NO GO Gauge or will not t
in the GO Gauge, you must cut the crimp
joint off and make a new connection.
YOU’LL NEED
GO/NO GO Gauge
More ab out PEX C rimp Con necti ons
• Can be used wi th both ho t and cold dri nking water lines or wit h
hydronic (radiant) heating.
• In sert t tings can be inst alled behind walls , but cannot be buried in c oncrete.
• Us e the Home Run s ystem or in stall in a c ontinuous loop.
• PE X crimp rings are made o f annealed c opper. Sioux C hief’s PE X V-Sle eve is made
of Stainless Steel.
PEX and PB ttings and crimp rings are not inte rchangeable.
All Sioux Chief ttings and rings are manufactur ed to t he ASTM Standard F1807
Specication for Metal Insert Fit tings U tilizing a Copper C rimp Ring for S DR 9 C rosslinked Pol yethylene (PEX) Tubing, and are co mpatible with any and a ll ttings and ring s
manufactured to this same standard. All Sioux Chief plastic ttings are made to the
AST M F2159 sp eci ca tio n for plas tic in sert tti ngs. Sioux Chief ’s V-Sl eeve conn ect ion is
mad e to the ASTM F877 st andard for ho t and cold PE X syst ems utili zing SDR pl astic t ubin g.
PEX INSTALLATION GUIDE – 10/11 © 2011 SIOUX CHIEF MFG .
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12 PEX Installation Tips
All of the information you’ll need
to plan and install PEX plumbing
in your home.
Page 2
Why Plumb with PEX?
Easy to Install
PEX tube is joined with an easy to install and
test ‘crimp’ system — no solvent welding with
messy chemicals, no chance of re hazard
possibilities due to soldering.
Cost Effective
When installed using Branchmaster
manifolds fewer ttings are needed to install
PEX — meaning you save money in material
and time. PE X tubing also costs less than
copper tubing.
Quiet
When installed using manifolds, PEX can
be run in long lengths with smoother bends,
meaning less water line noise. PEX also does
not amplify sound as readily as copper tube.
The quietest system is achieved by fastening
PEX with Sioux Chief’s full line of sound dead-
ening hangers and brackets.
For maximum exibility
when servicing a line, we
recommend using valved
manifolds wherever they
are installed. Your primary manifolds should
always be valved.
Installation Flexibility
PEX systems can be installed in either a
conventional ‘branch and tee’ system, or a
manifold system using Branchmaster manifolds. PEX is great for quickly adding xture s
off of your existing copper or CPVC system.
Corrosion Resistant
Because of PEX’s smooth inner walls,
minerals do not build up as fast as with
copper tubing. It is also more resistant to
the harmful effects of abrasive chemicals
such as chlorine.
Freeze Resistant
While freezing conditions often cause copper
and CPVC tube to break, causing thousands
of dollars in water damage, PEX tube will
expand several times its original size with-
out damage. However, it is recommended
that you follow all codes regarding water line
freeze prevention.
2
2 PEX Installation Tips
PEX Installation Tips
Branchmaster manifolds
can always be coupled
together with PEX tube
to achieve the desired
number of branches.
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Page 3
Planning Manifold Locations
Planning Manifold Locations Transitioning from Copper
Turn off water service to the entire
STEP
house. If you have a valve installed that
1
A ‘Home Run’ installation
method uses manifolds in
one spot only (usually near
the water heater), and gives
a dedicated branch line to
each xture in the house.
This layout best minimizes
pressure fluctuations,
which can cause scalding
and cold shocks.
will turn off water to the affected area
only — turn off this valve instead. Drain
water from the system by opening both
the hot and cold sides of the lowest
faucet in the house.
Locate the nearest existing accessible
water line to the new xture (toilet,
tub/shower, sink, etc.) and plan the
most direct route from that line to the
xture (read ‘Running PEX Tube’
for tips/precautions).
YOU’LL NEED
Tape measure Ladder
Cut out roughly 10″ to 12″ of copper
STEP
piping. Let excess water drain from
2
the system and deburr cut ends
of copper tube.
YOU’LL NEED
Copper cutting tool
Tape measure
Clean and prepare two Sweat × PEX
STEP
adapter ttings and solder to the two
3
ends of the cut tube.
YOU’LL NEED
Solder Soldering torch
Sand cloth Flux
Flame retardant rags
Transitioning from Copper
A ‘Semi Home Run’ installation
uses Primary manifolds (usually near the water heater) and
secondar y manifolds. To use
a Branchmaster manifold as
a secondar y manifold, simply
plug one end with PEX pipe and
a PEX plug.
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2
10 PEX Installation Tips
Position the PEX tee and two equal
STEP
lengths of PEX tube between the Sweat
4
× PEX ttings. Trim off excess tube and
crimp in the PE X assembly per the
‘Making Crimp Connections’ sheet.
(see page 11)
Crimp in the new supply line to
STEP
the xture.
5
YOU’LL NEED
Crimp tool Crimp rings
Test gauge
Go torchless and reduce job
time to ten minutes using the
Add-A-Line. Only compress
Add-A-line to copper tube.
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Page 4
Planning Manifold Locations
Transitioning from CPVC Manifold Installation
Transitioning from CPVC
Manifold Installation
Transitioning from Copper
Turn off water service to the entire house. If
you have a valve installed that will turn off
water to the affected area only— turn off this
valve instead. Drain water from the system
by opening both the hot and cold sides of the
lowest faucet in the house.
STEP
Locate the nearest existing accessible
1
water line to the new xture (toilet, tub/
shower, sink, etc.) and plan the most
direct route from that line to the xture
(read ‘running PE X Tube’ for tips/pre-
cautions).
YOU’LL NEED
Tape measure Ladder
Cut out roughly 10″ to 12″ of CPVC. Let
STEP
excess water drain from the system
2
and remove any burrs from cut ends.
YOU’LL NEED
Plastic tube cutting tool
Tape measure
Using CPVC solvent cement, glue on
STEP
two CPVC × PE X Adapters. Wipe off
3
excess glue.
YOU’LL NEED
CPVC Cement CPVC Primer
One Branch, One Fixture
To get the full benet of manifold use, each
branch should supply only one x ture. Supplying more than one xture on a branch
increases the chance of pressure uctua-
tions, which can cause inadequate water
pressure and scalding.
Placement
Because potentially half of the crimp connections are at the manifold (the other half
at the various termination points), be sure
to locate the manifold(s) in an accessible
location, preferably near the water heater.
Locating near the water heater ensures
that quickest delivery of hot water (per
code, make sure manifold is at least 18″
from water heater).
Valved Manifolds
Sioux Chief offers both valved and standard manifolds— valved manifolds allow
easy isolat ion and service of a xture with-
out affecting water service to the rest of
the house.
STEP
4
STEP
5
10
4
2
4 PEX Installation Tips
Position the PEX tee and two equal
lengths of PEX tube between the CPVC
× PEX ttings. Trim off excess tube
and crimp in the PE X assembly per the
‘Making Crimp Connections’ sheet.
(see page 11)
Crimp in the new supply line to the
xture.
YOU’LL NEED
Crimp tool Crimp rings
Test gauge
Manifold Sizing
The home run manifold system allows
individual lines for each xture. To “size”
a manifold, count the number of cold and/
or hot water locations that you plan to
plumb. Be sure to remember ice makers
and outside hose bibs. Always purchase
manifolds with enough cold and hot water
branches to service all planned xtures.
Branchmaster Manifolds can be linked
with ¾″ PEX tube to allow unlimited branch
connections. Make sure to plug all unused
branches with a 6″ stub of tube and a PE X
plug (6″ should be enough to let you cut
off the plug and use the branch for future
xtures).
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Page 5
Planning Manifold Locations
Why Use Manifolds Running PEX Tubing
Why Use Manifolds
Transitioning from CPVC
Manifold Installation
Transitioning from Copper
Running PEX Tubing
Save Time and Money
Sioux Chief Branchmaster manifolds allow
you to make longer continuous runs of
PEX pipe — meaning you buy fewer ttings
and spend less time installing!
Fewer Possible Leaks
Longer continuous runs with fewer crimp
connections means fewer chances of
leaks and avoiding the possibility of thousands of dollars in water damage!
Controls Scalding
When plumbed so that each branch line
feeds only one xture, The Branchmaster
greatly reduces pressure uctuations and
temperature swings that cause scalding.
Extreme Temperatures and Sunlight
Keep PEX tube away from extreme
temperatures — 12″ away from recessed
lighting and 6″ away from gas vents.
(water heater, stove pipe, etc.) Also keep
away from attics, crawl spaces, outside
walls, or insulate per plumbing codes.
Also keep out of direct sunlight.
Allow for Mistakes
Leave extra tubing at the beginning
and end of runs to simplify connection to
manifolds and end points (at wall or at
xture). Immediate connection to the
manifold or transition ttings and then
making the run reduces the chance of
cutting tube too short.
Identify Tubing Runs
Clearly and permanently mark each run
(at the manifold) to identify the xture
it supplies (hot or cold water, bathroom
sink, kitchen sink, basement toilet, etc.).
Do not apply adhesive labels to PEX pipe
unless labels are approved by the tubing
manufacture r.
Drilling & Notching Structural Members
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4
2
8 PEX Installation Tips
Quiet Plumbing
Longer runs of pipe using fewer ttings
means smoother bends and turns which
reduces line noise.
Install with Condenc e
Branchmaster manifolds are guaranteed
against defects in materials and workmanship for the life of your plumbing system.
No notching o r boring into top/bot tom ange porti ons
is allowed. 1 ½″ hole allowed any where along web.
Folow all I-Jo ist manufacturer ’s instructions .
Thermal Expansion
Because PEX tube expands and contracts
at about 1″ per 100 feet of pipe for every
10° change in temperature — you must
allow for expansion and contraction in
long runs. This can be accomplished with
an offset or expansion loop.
PEX and Concrete
Tubing installed within or under concrete
slabs should be continuous lengths of
PEX tube. No ttings beneath concrete.
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Page 6
Planning Manifold Locations
Fastening PEX Tube
Fastening PEX Tube Finishing Tubing Runs
Why Use Manifolds
Transitioning from CPVC
Manifold Installation
Finishing Tubing Runs
Transitioning from Copper
Running PEX Tubing
Hanger
Hanger
Support the Fitting
To prevent stress on the crimp joints,
always suppor t the tube before and after
the tting.
Minimum Bend Radius
Do not bend tube too tightly. The minimum
recommend bend radius is six times the
tube size (i.e. ½″ tube = 3″ bend radius).
When making a 90° turn, use bend
supports.
Tube Through Studs
Grommets should be used when running
tube through studs to prevent tube damage
and reduce noise transfer. Tube that is run
within 2″ of a stud nailing surface must be
protected with a metal stud guard.
No Metal Hangers
Metal hangers can damage PEX tube,
we recommend only plastic hangers be
installed. To prevent noise transfer, only
use hangers that keep the tube off of the
nailing surface (studs and joists).
RECOMMENDED HANGERS:
Tube Talon, Sioux Strap or Suspensulator.
After properly running and fastening the PEX tube, it’s time to terminate the run into a nished area of the house (through a oor
or a wall). Although there are some situations where it makes
sense to crimp the tube directly to a valve or xture (basement
laundry or sink), it is best use a copper stub out due to their rigidity and resistance to bangs and bumps that could cause leaks.
Crimp PEX tube to a straight PEX stub
STEP
out or a stub out elbow depending on
1
whether you need to make a turn as
you come through the wall. Make sure
stub out is properly secured (see page
6 for tips on fastening PEX tube).
YOU’LL NEED
Crimp tool
Crimp rings
Plastic Hangers
Cut the spun-closed end off of the stub
STEP
out, then deburr and clean the outside
2
of the tube with sand cloth.
YOU’LL NEED
Copper cutting /deburring tool
Sand Cloth
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2
6 PEX Installation Tips
Tube Between Joists and Stud Bays
To make it easier to run tube in stud or
joist cavities, use the Power Bar, it installs
quickly and is totally adjustable (USBs
located in the pipe hanger offering).
Leave Room for Thermal Movement
PEX needs room to expand and contract.
Allow tube to dip between hangers and
never over-tighten. Many Sioux Chief hang-
ers are designed to let the tube contract
and expand without the possibility of
over–tightening.
Hanger Spacing
Hangers should be used every 32″
on horizontal runs and every 4′ on
vertical runs.
Using two wrenches, compress the
STEP
stop valve onto the copper tube. Be
3
careful not to over-tighten the joint.
YOU’LL NEED
Wrenches
⅝″ supply stop valve
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