New builder quality- who holds up during the winter storm of 2021 (Frisco: insurance, new house)

[mmozaffa]

looks like this weather really gave a stress tests to homes so how the new builds hold up which builder is doing it right and who us cutting corners, should be very obvious now, heard lot of new construction in frisco had damages? thoughts, which builder wins?

[fleaflicker]

Curious about new construction damages. I'm guessing there will be less new house damages because of pex pipes instead of copper?

[Katana49]

Originally Posted by fleaflicker

Curious about new construction damages. I'm guessing there will be less new house damages because of pex pipes instead of copper?

Pex has been in widespread use for over a decade, so I doubt that is going to differentiate between new builders, but could be useful in determining which builder's homes are making more claims, but I doubt that will ever be easily broken down. If some insurance agency figures that info, they wouldn't share it.

[stargirl007]

We are in a 2016 built Khov home in Frisco. We made necessary preparations and are okay so far, thank goodness. We have been pleased and have not heard or seen yet reports of significant damage in our neighborhood. Other primary builder in our neighborhood was Shaddock. A couple of others also, like Drees. We were very, very fortunate to not have lost power, however. Jury still out on pools, but we are lucky to not have one of those either.

[serger]

So this pex piping seems great on paper. And it's cheaper than copper. Is there a catch?

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by serger

So this pex piping seems great on paper. And it's cheaper than copper. Is there a catch?

I'm not a plumber but I've used PEX for a bunch of oddball projects.

1. It seems more susceptible to biofilms than copper or CPVC.
2. Long PEX coils are a pain to work with.
3. PEX should be cut with the right tools.....ends need to be clean cut, smooth, flush and 90 degrees vs. length. Decent hand cutters are about $15.
4. A 100% noob can become OK with PEX and EvoPex or metal Sharkbite push to fit connectors in a few minutes. The connectors are sneaky expensive. EvoPex only works on PEX and are not removable. Different Sharkbites can joint PEX to PEX, PEX to PVC, PEX to CPVC, PEX to Copper etc. and are removable.
5. Joints made underground when wrapped with the correct silicone tape are warranted for 15? years IIRC.
6. PEX can also be joined by crimp connectors - I know zero about that.
7. Sharkbite makes push to fit spigots, manifolds, Ts, clothes washer hot and cold hook-ups etc.

I ran a 1" water line from my lake house to the top floor of my boat dock ~305 total feet. Assembling/joining the 31 10' pieces took less than minutes.

[serger]

Originally Posted by EDS_

I'm not a plumber but I've used PEX for a bunch of oddball projects.

1. It seems more susceptible to biofilms than copper or CPVC.
2. Long PEX coils are a pain to work with.
3. PEX should be cut with the right tools.....ends need to be clean cut, smooth, flush and 90 degrees vs. length. Decent hand cutters are about $15.
4. A 100% noob can become OK with PEX and EvoPex or metal Sharkbite push to fit connectors in a few minutes. The connectors are sneaky expensive. EvoPex only works on PEX and are not removable. Different Sharkbites can joint PEX to PEX, PEX to PVC, PEX to CPVC, PEX to Copper etc. and are removable.
5. Joints made underground when wrapped with the correct silicone tape are warranted for 15? years IIRC.
6. PEX can also be joined by crimp connectors - I know zero about that.
7. Sharkbite makes push to fit spigots, manifolds, Ts, clothes washer hot and cold hook-ups etc.

I ran a 1" water line from my lake house to the top floor of my boat dock ~305 total feet. Assembling/joining the 31 10' pieces took less than minutes.

Great info, thanks

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by serger

Great info, thanks

I meant to write 10 minutes above for the boat dock run. Sorry I was hyper-tired last night.

[Katana49]

PEX is superior for cold weather and freezing due to two main things, Pex has a much greater R value than copper, approximately 30 times greater. So it takes longer to freeze to start.


The main reason though, is that Pex can expand to nearly double it's size without bursting. Copper has no elasticity at all, and will simply crack and burst.

[serger]

Originally Posted by Katana49

PEX is superior for cold weather and freezing due to two main things, Pex has a much greater R value than copper, approximately 30 times greater. So it takes longer to freeze to start.


The main reason though, is that Pex can expand to nearly double it's size without bursting. Copper has no elasticity at all, and will simply crack and burst.

Well, this is why I was asking if there were a catch, appears to be better than copper for the most part and cheaper. I guess the expected lifetime is shorter but considering the events of this week..