My home has hard water that's caused some pesky pinhole leaks in the copper plumbing. I've decided it's time to switch to PEX for the whole house. I'm wondering if it's better to use a manifold system or if I should just follow the same plumbing layout as my old copper setup. Any experiences or advice?
8 Answers
I initially thought a manifold was the way to go, but in the end, I skipped it. When re-piping, I replaced older faucets and valves, but I found that local shutoff valves in key spots were enough for my needs. Given that I have a slab house and the plumbing layout was a bit complex, going with a manifold would have made things more costly and complicated for me. If you have a different setup, like a basement, it might be worth considering.
I've tried both methods: in my first home, I went with CPVC to PEX and used a manifold. It worked fine, but it was a smaller house, so it didn't feel overly complicated. For my current home, I swapped out decades-old copper for PEX but skipped the manifold. I opted for a main 'trunk' of 3/4" PEX, branching off with 1/2" for fixtures. If you want some control, consider putting in quarter-turn shutoffs at each fixture instead of a full manifold. And definitely choose PEX-A over PEX-B for better performance!
If you're still contemplating your options, I suggest considering a water softener instead of replacing all the copper. Softening your water could really help with the issues you're facing. Of course, if the pinhole leaks are severe, that copper may be past its prime anyway!
I think a manifold gives you more control over your water system, but it really depends on your current experience with plumbing. Are you often wishing for more shutoff options? If you've been living with your current setup for a while without needing a manifold, it might not be necessary. Consider how often you'd use that extra control.
If you go with a manifold, just be cautious about sizing your pipes. A lot of folks overdo it when choosing pipe sizes. With modern fixtures, you can actually use smaller sizes and still get hot water more quickly. Just make sure you size everything properly if you make that choice!
I had to make this choice in my two-story home. Going for a manifold felt too complicated, so I added shutoff valves for the upstairs while keeping access to the basement’s piping straightforward. Sticking to the existing layout worked well for me. This could be a good compromise for you as well!
Honestly, I think skipping the manifold is the way to go. Plus, you lose out on options like a hot water recirculating system with a manifold setup, which can be a dealbreaker for some people.
That's a good point! But unfortunately, the leaks are a major issue now.