Mike b
Member
Is there anyway to test pex pipe to see if it has been exposed to the sun
pex
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I guess you can feel it, If it is warm chances are it was on the back of the truck when he drove to the job
unless of course it is winter, then it might be cold to the touch
Effect of Sunlight on PEX Piping
PEX piping is highly susceptible to damage by sunlight. If exposed to sunlight, the molecular structure disintegrates. This causes the piping to become brittle and rupture. Indoor PEX installations require a covered environment. This helps to prevent exposure to direct sunlight. However, during construction, short exposure to sunlight is sometimes unavoidable. Such exposure should not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is best to maintain the original packaging when you install the tubing. If the packaging is unavailable, you need to provide some shield to prevent damage from UV exposure. Cover the tubing with some opaque material. Black polyethylene bags can be used.
Most manufacturers put UV stabilizers in PEX tubing to provide at least 30 to 60 days protection for construction and shipping
unless of course it is winter, then it might be cold to the touch
Effect of Sunlight on PEX Piping
PEX piping is highly susceptible to damage by sunlight. If exposed to sunlight, the molecular structure disintegrates. This causes the piping to become brittle and rupture. Indoor PEX installations require a covered environment. This helps to prevent exposure to direct sunlight. However, during construction, short exposure to sunlight is sometimes unavoidable. Such exposure should not exceed the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is best to maintain the original packaging when you install the tubing. If the packaging is unavailable, you need to provide some shield to prevent damage from UV exposure. Cover the tubing with some opaque material. Black polyethylene bags can be used.
Most manufacturers put UV stabilizers in PEX tubing to provide at least 30 to 60 days protection for construction and shipping
No
Diehard
In Remembrance
Most manufacturers put UV stabilizers in PEX tubing to provide at least 30 to 60 days(and up to 6 months) of UV protection.
So perhaps the question is for a test to determine if it has been overexposed?
Probably but likely would take a Lab analysis.
Here's something I found in my search on this subject...
"Most water in the U.S. is treated with some level of chlorine in order to disinfect the water supply. It has been found that chlorine can cause oxidation on the inner wall of PEX piping, eventually resulting in failure."
and "Studies have shown a dramatic reduction of chlorine resistance after even one week of direct sun exposure."
So perhaps the question is for a test to determine if it has been overexposed?
Probably but likely would take a Lab analysis.
Here's something I found in my search on this subject...
"Most water in the U.S. is treated with some level of chlorine in order to disinfect the water supply. It has been found that chlorine can cause oxidation on the inner wall of PEX piping, eventually resulting in failure."
and "Studies have shown a dramatic reduction of chlorine resistance after even one week of direct sun exposure."
FishScreener
Well-Known Member
I seriously doubt that the level of free chlorine found in drinking water could ever degrade pex. Pex is cross linked polyethylene. They stitch a laser across it after it is extruded to break up the long strand structure which results from the extrusion process. That long strand structure was what caused the failure of the polyethylene water laterals installed in the seventies to late eighties.
Water typically has 2-parts per million of free chlorine in it which free to react with anything. The 12% sodium hypochlorite solution, which we use to treat potable water systems, is shipped in polyethylene containers, which the manufacturer reuses indefinitely.
If a 120,000-ppm solution doesn’t degrade polyethylene containers after years of exposure. I find it inconceivable that a 2-ppm solution ever could.
Did some quick research: If you have fully saturated water/chlorine solution, it can react with polyethylene, at temperature above 185C.
Water typically has 2-parts per million of free chlorine in it which free to react with anything. The 12% sodium hypochlorite solution, which we use to treat potable water systems, is shipped in polyethylene containers, which the manufacturer reuses indefinitely.
If a 120,000-ppm solution doesn’t degrade polyethylene containers after years of exposure. I find it inconceivable that a 2-ppm solution ever could.
Did some quick research: If you have fully saturated water/chlorine solution, it can react with polyethylene, at temperature above 185C.
