{"id":1521,"date":"2026-05-19T11:47:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T16:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/?p=1521"},"modified":"2026-05-16T04:40:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-16T09:40:25","slug":"pex-a-repipe-red-flags-before-you-close-walls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/pex-a-repipe-red-flags-before-you-close-walls\/","title":{"rendered":"PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls"},"content":{"rendered":"

A renovation is the best time to fix old plumbing.
\nOpen walls make pipe work easier.
\nThey also let you improve the layout before the drywall returns.<\/p>\n

This homeowner is replacing old copper with PEX-A.
\nThe plan uses 3\/4 inch lines as the main trunk.
\nIt also uses 1\/2 inch branches for smaller fixture runs.<\/p>\n

The upstairs shower and toilet sit above the lower bathroom.
\nThat can make the layout cleaner.
\nIt can also raise questions about flow and pressure.<\/p>\n

PEX-A is popular because it is flexible.
\nIt can make long runs with fewer fittings.
\nFewer fittings may mean fewer leak points.
\nProducts from brands like\u00a0Uponor\u00a0<\/a>are often used in home and commercial plumbing.<\/p>\n

Push-to-connect and PEX parts are also common today.
\nCompanies like\u00a0SharkBite\u00a0<\/a>make fittings, adapters, and PEX plumbing parts.
\nAlways use parts approved for your pipe type.<\/p>\n

Question<\/h2>\n

Are there red flags in this PEX-A layout?
\nShould separate branches feed the upstairs fixtures?<\/p>\n

Answer<\/h2>\n


\nYes, there are a few things to check.
\nSeparate branches from the trunk are usually better for upstairs fixtures.
\nThis is especially true for showers.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 3\/4 inch trunk is a good start.
\nIt can feed several fixtures better than a small line.
\nBut long, shared 1\/2-inch branches can cause pressure drops.<\/p>\n

Showers are more sensitive than toilets.
\nA toilet only needs water for short fills.
\nA shower needs a steady flow while someone is using it.<\/p>\n

If the upstairs shower shares a small branch, the flow may suffer.
\nThe problem may show when another fixture runs.
\nYou may notice a weaker shower stream.<\/p>\n

I would run a 3\/4 inch trunk near both bathrooms.
\nThen I would branch off with short 1\/2 inch lines.
\nGive each shower its own 1\/2 inch branch.
\nDo the same for each toilet and sink group.<\/p>\n

Keep the hot water layout in mind, too.
\nLong hot runs waste water.
\nThey also make people wait longer for hot water.
\nShort, direct hot lines are better.<\/p>\n

Avoid too many elbows and tight bends.
\nSupport the PEX as required by code.
\nProtect the pipe where it passes through the framing.
\nUse nail plates where screws may hit the pipe.<\/p>\n

Check your local plumbing code before closing walls.
\nYou can also review plumbing code resources from the\u00a0International Code Council<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The clean-slate upgrade is smart.
\nUse it to make short, simple, and well-sized runs.
\nThat will give better flow and easier service later.<\/p>\n

I’m Chris Mayer, writing for Plumbing 101<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"PEX-A
PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A renovation is the best time to fix old plumbing. Open walls make pipe work easier. They also let you improve the layout before the drywall returns. This homeowner is replacing old copper with PEX-A. The plan uses 3\/4 inch lines as the main trunk. It also uses 1\/2 inch branches for smaller fixture runs.… Continue reading PEX-A Repipe Red Flags Before You Close Walls<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1529,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_wpscp_schedule_draft_date":"","_wpscp_schedule_republish_date":"","_wpscppro_advance_schedule":false,"_wpscppro_advance_schedule_date":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"default","_google_business_share_type":"default","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[79],"tags":[1162,1161,1160,1299,952,1295,109,111,1163,1159,1158,1297,115,1164,1296,1300,1298,412],"class_list":["post-1521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general-plumbing-help","tag-1-2-pex-branch","tag-3-4-pex-trunk","tag-bathroom-repipe","tag-before","tag-close","tag-flags","tag-general","tag-help","tag-home-plumbing","tag-pex-plumbing-layout","tag-pex-a-repipe","tag-pexa","tag-plumbing","tag-plumbing-renovation","tag-red","tag-repipe","tag-walls","tag-you","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1521","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1521"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1521\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1530,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1521\/revisions\/1530"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1521"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1521"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plumbing101.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1521"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}