Viega vs Uponor

[M3lvinatGrade]

I have a couple of questions for those forum members who have installed both Viega PureFlow and Uponor ProPex. Can you tell me the pros and cons of each? I work on system design for large industrial and commercial projects, but now I'm doing my own house plumbing. Assuming I have the skills and proper equipment, what would be your recommendation? My second question - I know that Uponor has higher flow, but does that really make a difference in actual use? Thanks in advance - I appreciate it!

 

[Twowaxhack]

I’d use Rehau. Good luck with your project.

 

[M3lvinatGrade]

Thank you, Twowaxhack. I'll look into Rehau. Early on I got excited and bought a manifold, some of the Viega fittings, and tools, but I'm not adverse to shifting over. I'm involved in a large project that has committed to Uponor, which is how I learned about its greater flow characteristics. But that's the extent of my direct knowledge. Can you tall me a bit more about Rehau and why you recommend it? Thanks again!

 

[Twowaxhack]

I’ve used it for years without any trouble. So that’s why I like it.

 

[M3lvinatGrade]

Thanks. That's the kind of feedback that counts. I've checked out their website, but it's not that clear yet what their product line looks like. I'll keep digging.

 

[M3lvinatGrade]

I’ve used it for years without any trouble. So that’s why I like it.

It looks sort of similar to Uponor - is that a fair assessment?

 

[hdtvkeith]

Rehau is Pex-A like Uponor. What I do like about Rehau, is they support any connection method you want, expansion, crimp and cinch without impacting the warranty. Uponor is you use anything other than U-on or fittings their warranty drops from 25 to 10 years. That said I was headed down the Rehau path, but had issues getting some of what I needed and the supply house that carried it only had a 21 day return policy and since my pro just is running on the 3 month side I did not want to get stuck with $500-$1000 of stuff I don’t need when I am done.

 

[Tim Whistler]

Uponor has been great for my little company. About 50 house repipes done with it with nearly zero problems, and certainly no problems from the product itself. But I have not used other brands.

 

[hdtvkeith]

Yeah I just did my home and zero issues, only issue was I did not tighten one brass fitting tight enough. We will see how it hold up in 10 plus years. Every fitting, stop valve, and bend support is all Uponor.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I’ve been using Rehau for about 20 years.

Just yesterday replaced some brass fittings that the well water ate away at and finally killed in a Rehau pex job I did 15 years ago. Pipe is still holding up great. It’s been frozen solid about 4-5 times without issue so far.

I went back with Boshart stainless pex fitttings ( crimp ring style ) from Supplyhouse.com

 

[hdtvkeith]

Those Boshart fittings are great. Chatted with them and they are trying to come out with version for cold expansion.