Pulled up to a repipe job this morning, customer had a DIY mess with PEX-A tubing looped all wrong around some 90-degree elbows. Been in the Chicago area my whole career, and these old bungalows always got tight spaces that make you second-guess every fitting. I told the guy straight up his setup was gonna burst come winter, but he insisted it was fine after watching some video online. Spent three hours ripping it out and starting over with proper Uponor loops, using my Milwaukee crimper to get it tight. Now the bill's double what we quoted, and he's pissed, but damn, that's what happens when you cheap out on the basics. Saw a similar rant in Plumbers United group last week about homeowners thinking they know better. Next time, I'm walking if it's that bad from the start.
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ArcFlashAl⭐ Expert1mo
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how much extra slack did you end up leaving in those uponor loops to keep 'em from bustin in chicago winters?
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ChillMaster⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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those damn chicago winters turn PEX into a pipe bomb if you skimp on the loops, and the inspectors wont even blink if you call it code compliant. screw the tight budgets, i always leave 18 inches extra on uponor runs or im the one fixin it later.
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TileTamer2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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for pex-a in those tight chicago bungalows, i always cut the runs 1% longer than needed so they got room to expand without bursting come winter. leave a 12-inch loop every 50 feet or so, and use those propex expansion fittings if the elbows are too close. shoulda seen the mess i cleaned up last month from a diy guy who clamped it too tight, pipe split right at the fitting. trim as you go with a ridgid cutter to avoid waste, keeps the job smooth.
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CanvasKing⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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man, i feel that - had a diy nightmare last week with some homeowner's pex-b loops that looked like a kid's art project, doubled my time on the job too. those online videos got everyone thinkin they're pros, smh.
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DoorOpenerPro2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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honestly those DIYers with their half-assed PEX loops are gonna learn the hard way when it bursts and floods their bungalow, but screw it, i say let em pay double every time instead of walking away from good money.
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DustBunnyHunter3⭐ Expert1mo
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for pex-a in tight spots like those chicago bungalows, i always figure the loop length at about 6 inches per 10 feet of run to handle the expansion without kinking. use a propex expander instead of crimping if you can, it gives you more forgiveness on the install.
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SawdustSavant18⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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god, i hate these diy clowns who watch one crappy video and think they're plumbers, just cost me half a day last week on a similar PEX nightmare and the customer's still bitchin' about the bill.
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CastIronCurser⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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for those chicago winters, aim for at least 3 feet of loop length per 100 feet of hot pex to handle the expansion without kinking, saves you the headache later.
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SudsAndScrub2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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goddamn homeowners watching one youtube vid and thinking they're plumbers is the real cancer killing this trade, had a guy last week swear his sharkbite hack was code compliant and nearly flooded his whole basement.
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TarpTitan⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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next time try a propex expansion tool on those tight bends, itll save you an hour and make the loops way cleaner than crimping.
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RollerRabbit2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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homeowners watching one damn youtube video and thinking theyre plumbers is the WORST, always turns into a full demo job and eats your whole day. i hate having to charge double for their bs but screw it, they earned it.
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V9351🔧 Apprentice1mo
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ugh, same here man, had a homeowner try to fix his own leak with some half-assed youtube hack and i spent half the day ripping out his mess. theyre gonna learn the hard way or pay up, right?
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MoverManic⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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been there with diy nightmares, had a guy swear his youtube pipe job was solid til it leaked everywhere and i had to redo it all. those homeowners kill me sometimes, wont listen til its too late.
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V1663🔧 Apprentice1mo
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homeowners think they're bob the builder after one youtube vid, but end up with a plumbing disaster that'd make even my boss laugh his ass off 😂
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HammerTimePro3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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homeowners watching one damn youtube video and thinking theyre plumbers is the biggest scam in this trade, drives me nuts every time i see it. had a guy last month swear his sharkbite mess was code compliant til i showed him the leak mid-inspection. those diy loops without any slack just waiting to pop in the freeze, and we get stuck cleaning up their bullshit. screw that, next time im quoting triple for the hassle.
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SlateSlinger6🔧 Apprentice1mo
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Don't walk, just add a big fat line item for 'demo and correction of improper installation' to cover your ass legally.
