User Guide

64 l uponorengineering.com
Uncoiling PEX
An Uponor uncoiler is
recommended for convenient
uncoiling when the piping
is not in the Punch&Pull™
packaging.
Bending PEX
The minimum bend radius
of Uponor AquaPEX pipe
is six times the outside
diameter of the pipe. Use
bend supports for ⅜", ½",
¾" and 1" piping to facilitate
90-degree rigid bends. Use
large-diameter PVC conduit
to facilitate 90-degree bends
in larger-diameter Uponor
AquaPEX piping.
To alleviate stress on ProPEX
connections and ttings, take
care to not change direction
immediately after a ProPEX
connection. To determine
whether or not the directional
change is too soon, refer to
the table and gures below.
Uponor recommends a
minimum of two times the O.D.
of the pipe as the minimum
distance before changing
direction (see Figure 6-1).
Note: When a proper bend
cannot be achieved, use a
ProPEX elbow.
Reforming kinked
piping
If the piping is kinked and
hinders ow, easily make
repairs following the steps
below.
1. Make sure the system is
not pressurized.
2. Straighten the kinked
portion of the piping.
3. Heat the kinked area
to approximately
265ºF/129.4ºC with
an electric heat gun
(approximately 450 watts
of power). Apply the heat
evenly until the piping
returns to its original size
and shape. Do not use
an open ame (see
Figure 6-3).
4. Allow the repaired piping to
cool undisturbed to room
temperature. When the
piping returns to its opaque
appearance, the repair is
complete.
Caution: The piping surface
temperature must not
exceed 338ºF/170ºC. Do
not apply direct ame to
Uponor AquaPEX piping.
Uponor AquaPEX piping
repaired according to these
recommendations will return
to its original shape and
strength. If the piping is
sliced, punctured or otherwise
damaged beyond the capacity
of the crosslinked memory,
install a ProPEX coupling.
Uponor AquaPEX piping
cannot be welded or repaired
with adhesives.
Thawing frozen piping
Uponor AquaPEX can
withstand extreme freeze-
thaw cycles better than
other piping materials. In
2015, Uponor worked in
partnership with standards
developing organizations
(SDOs) to establish a test
method for performance
under freeze/thaw conditions
and subsequently developed
a new standard for PEX
piping applications. The
test methodology included
Uponor PEX pipe, ProPEX
rings and ProPEX tting
assemblies and subjected
them to repeated freeze/
thaw cycles. The assemblies
were then evaluated for leaks
under pressure after every
cycle. Based on the samples
provided and the testing
performed, Uponor’s ½"
PEX pipe, ProPEX rings and
ProPEX EP couplings passed
the freeze/thaw cycling and
subsequent burst tests without
failure in accordance with the
test method.
If freezing occurs, the installer
should advise the end user to
correct the lack of insulation or
heat to eliminate the problem
from reoccurring. Should
Uponor AquaPEX piping
experience an ice blockage,
thaw the piping using one or
more of the following methods.
• Pour hot water over the
affected portion of piping.
• Wrap hot towels around the
affected portion of piping.
• Place a small portable
heating unit in the area to
heat the space and thaw the
ice blockage from the piping.
• Slowly heat the affected area
with a hair dryer. Rub a hand
over the area while heating
to ensure the piping does not
get too hot.
Figure 6-3: Reforming kinked piping
Table 6-1: Minimum bend radius
Pipe size
(in)
Pipe O.D.
(in)
Min. bend
radius (in)
2 x O.D.
(in)
½"
0.625 3¾ 1¼
¾"
0.875 5¼ 1¾
1"
1.125 6¾ 2¼
2 x O.D.
Figure 6-1: Correct bending Figure 6-2: Incorrect bending