From skeptic to believer: How a basement flood changed my view on PEX manifolds

I always thought traditional copper runs were the only way to go for reliability... until a client's basement flooded and we had to re-pipe everything. Watching the pipefitters install a PEX manifold system was eye-opening; the flexibility and ease of repairs were incredible. Now I see how it can save time and reduce future headaches, especially in tight spaces. Honestly, I was stubborn about the old methods, but this experience totally shifted my perspective. It's made me appreciate how trade innovations can really improve outcomes.

6 comments

6 Comments

elizabethmason3h ago

The leak point math always gets oversimplified in these conversations. Honestly, having seen a few retrofits go sideways, that "dozens of joints to a few crimps" advantage evaporates when you're fishing through lathe and plaster. Tbh, the real issue isn't the PEX itself but whether you have the wall access to make any system repair look clean. Ngl, I've watched guys create more damage opening up chaseways for a tidy manifold install than the original leak would have caused. It feels like we trade one set of problems for another without always admitting the old plumbing wasn't the only thing that was rigid.

janah832h ago

Here's something I never see mentioned: what about the water pressure trade-offs with a home-run manifold? Sure, you get dedicated lines, but all that extra pipe volume means longer waits for hot water to reach distant fixtures. In a retrofit, you're not just swapping pipes, you're redesigning the entire hydraulic profile of the house. That can lead to complaints about lukewarm water at faucets far from the water heater, unless you add a recirc line or something. It's not just about leak points, it's about re-engineering the system's performance from the ground up. And if you don't account for that during installation, you've solved the leak problem but created a whole new annoyance for the homeowner.

eva4174h ago

I mean, it's wild how much easier repairs are with PEX, especially in older homes with weird layouts.

the_wyatt3h ago

That point about weird layouts is so true, in my experience. When you're dealing with older homes, the key is to have a variety of transition fittings on hand because, as nathan_brown59 alluded to, integrating with existing fixtures can be a headache. I've found that using push-fit connectors for temporary fixes while you plan a more permanent PEX route saves a lot of time, but your mileage may vary depending on the wall access. It's messy, no doubt, but if you can map out the old plumbing runs before you start, you can minimize the damage to walls during retrofits. Honestly, the ease of repair often comes down to how prepared you are for those unexpected material mismatches.

ray_martinez824h ago

PEX complicates repairs in older homes because existing systems RARELY match up.

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nathan_brown594h ago

Seeing the pipefitters install that PEX manifold after the flood must have been a moment. I've heard similar stories where the reduction in potential leak points with a home-run system is dramatic, like going from dozens of solder joints to just a few crimps. But ray's point about older homes nags at me, because retrofitting can be messy when walls are already closed up. How did the pipefitters handle integrating the PEX with existing fixtures, especially if the client's home had mixed materials? It seems like the ease of repair might depend on whether you're doing a full re-pipe or just patching a section.