When Did Plumbers Start Using Pex
The breakthrough for widespread residential plumbing acceptance in the United States came around 1995, when major plumbing codes began to approve PEX for use in hot and cold water distribution. The history of PEX plumbing dates back to the 1960s, when a German chemist named Fritz Haber discovered the process of cross-linking polyethylene. This process involved exposing polyethylene to high temperatures and pressures to create a strong and flexible material.
When Did Pex Plumbing Pipes Get Their Start? PEX pipe, first introduced in 1968 in Europe, has become a staple in residential plumbing systems for the past 15 years. Initially used for hydronic radiant heating systems, PEX tubing was widely used to replace copper pipes in plumbing applications. Builders and plumbers began utilizing PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) pipe in the early 1980s, following its introduction in Europe during the 1970s.
Initially, PEX found application in radiant heating systems, showcasing its durability for such uses. By 1997, ASTM F876 and F877 had been adopted into several plumbing codes, and PEX began to be used for hot and cold water plumbing systems. Plumbers liked its flexibility and the ability to use home-run style plumbing systems in houses.
PEX plumbing, made from flexible cross-linked polyethylene, revolutionized home water systems starting in the 1980s in the U.S. Originating in the 1960s in Europe, it quickly became popular for its durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation in residential construction. Pex plumbing, also known as cross-linked polyethylene plumbing, first emerged in the 1960s.
It gained popularity in the United States during the 1980s due to its ease of installation and resistance to corrosion. According to PPI, crosslinking technology for polyethylene was pioneered in Europe in the late 1960s, with the first PEX radiant heating systems installed in 1972. Since then, PEX has had a 50-year history of successful use around the world for a variety of demanding applications.
A Resource on the Evolution of PEX Standards TR-56 details the fifty-year journey of PEX, from its first radiant heating installations in the early 1970s to its widespread use in residential and commercial plumbing, radiant heating, and cooling systems across North America. Crosslinking technology for polyethylene was developed in Europe in the late 1960s, with the first PEX radiant heating systems installed in 1972 in Europe and has since had a more than fifty-year history of successful use around the world for a variety of demanding applications.
