Home and Auto Plumbing problem: PEX has no flex

**cdcox** · 07-19-2009, 06:27 PM

I'm running PEX in my bathroom. I thought it would be more flexible than it actually is. So I 've got to run some through two studs that make a blind corner (see diagram in first post). I have't hung dry wall in the bathroom yet, but there is dry wall on the other sides of studs.I have zero access to the blind corner and all the available drilling angles are bad. I was thinking about removing some of the dry wall on the other side of the wall (it's our kitchen pantry) and drilling through the blind corner at a 45-degree angle. Then I can run the PEX straight through the bind corner. There is another stud close to the blind corner, so I'll need an elbow to get the PEX going back the right direction. There looks like there is enough room to attach an elbow once I get past the blind corner.

The draw backs to this plan are 1) I have to remove and eventually repair dry wall in the kitcken pantry and 2) I don't have a spade bit that long. Any one have a better ideal?

**Bugeater** · 07-19-2009, 06:28 PM

You're still not done with your epic bathroom?

**cdcox** · 07-19-2009, 06:28 PM

**cdcox** · 07-19-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

You're still not done with your epic bathroom?

No. It's that's why it is epic!

**Bugeater** · 07-19-2009, 06:38 PM

Is dropping it down the wall and under the floor an option?

**cdcox** · 07-19-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

Is dropping it down the wall and under the floor an option?

Actually that is a hell of an idea. The garage is below the bathroom, but I already ripped out the DW on the ceiling there. the studs are even running parallel to the direction I need to run the PEX. I knew there was a reason I posted this thread. THANKS!

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 07-19-2009, 06:47 PM

just notch the studs. cover the pex with metal plate so you don't put a screw through it.

rageeumr · 07-19-2009, 07:01 PM

Be careful running over your garage if your garage isn't heated. I had to rip out a section of wall in my garage and relocate a water line because of freezing issues. The homebuilder had insulated the hell out of it, but it didn't matter.

**cdcox** · 07-19-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

just notch the studs. cover the pex with metal plate so you don't put a screw through it.

This stuff is so stiff turning radius would need a deep notch (probably more that halfway though) the stud. It crimps if you try to go too tight. But I could notch it enough to slip an elbow in.

**cdcox** · 07-19-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rageeumr

Be careful running over your garage if your garage isn't heated. I had to rip out a section of wall in my garage and relocate a water line because of freezing issues. The homebuilder had insulated the hell out of it, but it didn't matter.

The climate is milder here than in KC. My copper supply pipes run through there and have been fine for 25 years. They had the foam wrap-around insulation, plus bat insulation, plus the ceiling was dry walled.

**Dave Lane** · 07-19-2009, 09:14 PM

consider running it at a 90 degree angle too. straight into the corner then down

07-19-2009, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

just notch the studs. cover the pex with metal plate so you don't put a screw through it.

This.

07-19-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

This stuff is so stiff turning radius would need a deep notch (probably more that halfway though) the stud. It crimps if you try to go too tight. But I could notch it enough to slip an elbow in.

This.

ohiobronco2 · 07-19-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

just notch the studs. cover the pex with metal plate so you don't put a screw through it.

This guy knows what the hell he is talking about. I'd say this is a winner. Sure as hell beats trying to fish tape that crap through those studs. With those Pex fittings, you can go from Pex to Copper and CPVC I believe. If the pex won't take the gradual bend, just notch and run a little copper or cpvc for that short distance. Then return to PEX. I'm pretty sure PEX fittings will allow you to incorporate copper or CPVC, if not, a tiger shark fitting will.

Groves · 07-19-2009, 10:10 PM

In the diagram, on the "south" side, the line goes from basically straight into the angled hole, no elbow needed, but on the "north" end, it comes out of the drilled hole and needs an elbow? Maybe you don't need an elbow?

You already know this, but the downside to no elbow is getting the line to fit without crimping. The downside to an elbow, one that will not be accessible, is that it may leak.

If you're desperate, you can always use some soft copper for the corner and connect the pex on either side.

07-19-2009, 06:27 PM
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-478231	Plumbing problem: PEX has no flex I'm running PEX in my bathroom. I thought it would be more flexible than it actually is. So I 've got to run some through two studs that make a blind corner (see diagram in first post). I have't hung dry wall in the bathroom yet, but there is dry wall on the other sides of studs.I have zero access to the blind corner and all the available drilling angles are bad. I was thinking about removing some of the dry wall on the other side of the wall (it's our kitchen pantry) and drilling through the blind corner at a 45-degree angle. Then I can run the PEX straight through the bind corner. There is another stud close to the blind corner, so I'll need an elbow to get the PEX going back the right direction. There looks like there is enough room to attach an elbow once I get past the blind corner. The draw backs to this plan are 1) I have to remove and eventually repair dry wall in the kitcken pantry and 2) I don't have a spade bit that long. Any one have a better ideal?
Posts: 46,032

07-19-2009, 06:28 PM	#2
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	You're still not done with your epic bathroom?
Posts: 70,546

07-19-2009, 06:28 PM	#3
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-478231	. Attached Thumbnails
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07-19-2009, 06:38 PM	#5
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Is dropping it down the wall and under the floor an option?
Posts: 70,546

07-19-2009, 06:47 PM	#7
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	just notch the studs. cover the pex with metal plate so you don't put a screw through it.
Posts: 12,526

07-19-2009, 07:01 PM	#8
rageeumr Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: St. Louis :( Casino cash: $9989900	Be careful running over your garage if your garage isn't heated. I had to rip out a section of wall in my garage and relocate a water line because of freezing issues. The homebuilder had insulated the hell out of it, but it didn't matter.
Posts: 2,313

07-19-2009, 09:14 PM	#11
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	consider running it at a 90 degree angle too. straight into the corner then down __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
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07-19-2009, 10:10 PM	#15
Groves Turning the Corner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Springfield, Missouri Casino cash: $-761459	In the diagram, on the "south" side, the line goes from basically straight into the angled hole, no elbow needed, but on the "north" end, it comes out of the drilled hole and needs an elbow? Maybe you don't need an elbow? You already know this, but the downside to no elbow is getting the line to fit without crimping. The downside to an elbow, one that will not be accessible, is that it may leak. If you're desperate, you can always use some soft copper for the corner and connect the pex on either side.
Posts: 2,387