Install Instructions

Professional Plumbing Installation Guide
33
Termiticide or Pesticide Treatment
Uponor PEX tubing for hot- and cold-water distribution (plumbing) is approved for
installation directly within or below concrete slabs where soil termiticide or pesticide
treatment is required. This is especially useful in slab-on-grade construction. You
are not required to sleeve PEX tubing installed within or below concrete slabs.
We recommend using either flexible polyethylene (PE) protection sleeve or rigid
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bend guides at all slab penetrations to protect PEX tubing
from abrasion where they pass through the concrete slab. These products are slab-
penetration protection devices that you can use to fortify and protect the tubing.
When using Pre-sleeved Uponor AquaPEX tubing or a protection sleeve, an annular
gap between these protection devices and the PEX tubing will exist. In such
installations, you will need to fill the annular gap between the protection device and
the PEX tubing at the exposed ends. This will help prevent pathways for pests or
accidental application of harmful chemicals into the space between the PEX tubing and
the protection device. Use only sealants that are compatible with PEX tubing.
Note: The following types of sealants are compatible for external contact on PEX
tubing when sealing between PEX tubing and slab penetration protection devices:
• Latex Caulk • Silicone Sealant
• Latex Foam • Polyurethane Expanding Foam
Caution: The misapplication of termiticides or pesticides between PEX
tubing and slab penetration protection devices could result in pooling or
puddling of the products around the tubing, a prohibited practice. The
application of pesticides or termiticides between PEX tubing and slab
penetration protection devices is strictly prohibited.
1. If termiticides or pesticides are applied
while the installed PEX tubing has
exposed open ends not yet connected
to plumbing fixtures, the ends of the
tubing must be capped, plugged or
closed to prevent these chemicals from
entering the tubing.
2. Do not allow organic (petroleum-
based) chemicals, petroleum distillates,
termiticides or pesticides to come into
direct contact with PEX tubing.
3. The annular gap between PEX tubing
and slab-penetration protection
devices (sleeving or PVC bend guides)
at the ends of the tubing must be filled
to help prevent pathways for pests and
the mistaken application of harmful
chemicals into the space between the
PEX tubing and the protection device.
Use only sealants that are compatible
with PEX tubing.
4. When PEX tubing is continuously
sleeved below or above a slab (e.g.,
when using
1
⁄2" Pre-sleeved
Uponor AquaPEX tubing), the space
between the tubing and the sleeving
must never be filled with any liquid
chemical, including pesticides or
termiticides. Prevent pooling or
puddling of these liquids around
PEX tubing.
5. When it is necessary to retreat soil near
PEX tubing, prevent the puddling or
pooling of the termiticide or pesticide.