Mobile home plumbing is a bit different than plumbing in a traditional home. As a mobile homeowner it’s important to understand those differences.
This article will help you learn exactly how manufactured home plumbing differs from a site-built home and how to repair the most common mobile home plumbing issues. Let me be clear, different doesn’t mean inferior, it just means different.
Major Differences Between Site-Built and Manufactured Home Plumbing
Manufactured homes use the same basics and logistics as a site-built home. The main differences are the location of the pipes, the size of the pipes used, and the ‘simplification’ of the system due to the amazing factory-built system that has been perfected by the industry over the decades.
Supply Line Location
The location of the plumbing pipes is different in manufactured homes simply because the homes are built differently.
Supply lines are what the water travels through to reach each fixture. In site-built homes, they are typically running inside the walls. In manufactured homes, they are almost always buried under the floor as the image below shows.
In manufactured homes, plumbing supply lines run under the home either in the middle alongside your heating ducts or on the side, depending on the layout and location of your water heater.
The image above is a photo of a home being built in a factory. Notice how both the hot and cold PEX water lines are stubbed up through the floor before a single wall is even placed. The construction system, along with the plumbing system, of a manufactured home is simplified for easy transport and installation but that doesn’t mean it’s inferior in any way.
Cleanouts and Cut-Off Valves
Another big difference between plumbing in a site-built home and a mobile home is the lack of cleanouts and cut-off valves in the home though newer manufactured homes have those now. There will be a cleanout where the home’s waste drain line meets the sewer or septic trunk outside.
It’s smart to have cut off valves at every water source (faucet, tubs, and toilet). However, if you have to repair or replace anything on a manufactured home plumbing system you have to cut the main valve off anyway because there’s a lot of pressure in those lines and it needs to be reduced before you start cutting into them.
Plumbing Pipe Sizes for Manufactured Homes
Pipe size plays a big role in a plumbing system. Using pipe that is too small for your venting can cause just as much trouble as using too small of a pipe for your waste line.
Many manufactured home builders install a smaller pipe (3″) for drainage and venting. Site-built homes would have 4″.
Myths about Plumbing in Manufactured Homes
It’s no secret that many skilled trade professionals like plumbers and electricians dislike working on manufactured homes. This is caused by a couple of myths and a couple of truths.
One myth about plumbing in manufactured homes is that there is no venting for the drain lines and that’s ridiculous. All drain-waste lines need venting to even work. Otherwise, the system would become air-locked.
Another myth is that the manufactured housing industry uses substandard and unsafe pipes. Some manufactured home builders did use plastic polybutylene and galvanized metal pipes which were standard at the time for all homes. It was later learned that the material had issues. We’ll talk about that in detail in a few moments.
3 Parts of Manufactured Home Plumbing Systems
Basically, there are 3 parts that make up the whole plumbing system: supply lines, drain-waste lines, and ventilation lines.
Supply Lines
Your watersupply lines are the smaller pipes (3/8″ to 1″) that come into the home. They are usually either copper or Pex. If your home has white, cream, or a medium grey pipe for your supply lines, you will probably want to replace them as most local regulations don’t recommend them and some have banned them altogether. The water comes through 1 line and then branches at the water heater so some water can get heated, from there a hot and cold line runs parallel to the faucets, tubs, etc.
Drain Lines
Drain or waste lines are usually 3″ ABS. These systems use gravity, traps, and ventilation to ensure optimum waste removal at the sewer drop and to keep gases and fumes from building up and releasing.
Think of this as a completely closed system with a positive and negative vacuum or pressure. All the parts have to work correctly to allow the system to do what it is designed for. Without the proper positive or negative pressure acting as a vacuum in the pipes the waste won’t go where it’s supposed to, it can back-flow instead.
You have to get the grade right on drainage pipes because too much of a grade (or slant) will cause as much issue as too little. A 1/4″ to 1/2″ grade per foot is ideal.
Ventilation Pipes
Ventilation pipes help the waste lines to keep the proper pressure or vacuum – in other words, it keeps water in all the right places. It is just as important as the supply and drain lines and you have to have ventilation in order to make it all work. Plumbing systems are much like a living thing – it has to have air and water.
A single ventilation pipe in a manufactured home won’t help the drain pipes furthest away so they use what I’ve always just called a dry vent (they also call them auto vents, check vents, or air admittance valves).
Air Vents
Air vents allow air to flow into the drains. Keep in mind that oftentimes a dry vent on a sink isn’t necessarily helping the sink it is tied into, it’s benefiting the other drains in the house. If you would like to learn more about auto vents, this article does well explaining, as does this one.
Under Pressure
Remember that water is coming into your home under a lot of pressure through your supply lines. It can turn corners and go up several stories. If you have a leak in the system, imagine how much water can be lost in just a small amount of time!
Drainage leaks are sneaky little things. Water will always follow the path of least resistance so sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint where the leak is coming from.
Common Plumbing Pipe Materials
You will need to know what type of pipe and fittings are used for each sub-system. There are basically 2 types of piping used in plumbing- metal and plastic.
Most plumbing in manufactured homes uses plastic. Plastic pipes include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), PEX pipe and PolyPipe®. Metal plumbing pipe consists of copper, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. Not all pipes are as useful or effective as others, and each type is used for a specific purpose in plumbing.
Polybutylene Pipe
Polybutylene was used in all types of homes, including manufactured homes, from the late 1970’s to the mid-1990’s. Several lawsuits were filed on behalf of millions of homeowners due to issues this material had. If you had any type of bleach in your water, and most city systems do, the pipe would break down and cause leaks and complete blowouts, usually within 5-10 years. You can’t buy it anymore but it’s still in more homes than it should be. It’s a medium grey color and will have PB and some numbers on the side. If you have this in your home today, you need to replace it and then go buy a lottery ticket cause you have been very lucky to have had it this long without any issues!
If you are looking to buy an older manufactured home, do not buy it with this kind of pipe in it. Make the seller replace it or have them take the replacement cost off the price of the home (there may even be local and federal laws prohibiting the sale of a home with this type of pipe in it).
PVC
PVC is a type of plastic plumbing pipe primarily used to transport high pressured water. It is available in several standard sizes, ranging from ½ inch to 4 inches in diameter. PVC pipe is only made to handle cold water, as hot water will cause the pipe to warp. It is generally white in color, though a few varieties are gray.
CPVC
CPVC pipe that has received an extra chlorination. It comes in a distinctive yellow color and can handle both hot and cold water. CPVC is more flexible with substantially thinner walls than PVC pipe and has the same outer diameter as copper pipe, which increases its range of uses.
PEX
PEX, also known as cross-linked polyethylene pipe, was first manufactured in the 1920s but has become more popular in recent years. It shares the same outer diameter as copper and can be used for both hot and cold water. However, PEX pipe has a much higher heat resistance than most other plumbing pipes and is often used in water-based heating systems. It comes in a creamy white color, as well as red and blue which is used to denote hot and cold pipes respectively.
We recommend you replace your water lines with PEX when the time comes to update. You can use special fittings to secure the connections by hand or rent the tool needed to connect the lines. Pex, in our humblest of opinions, is the best pipe for water supply lines and is so much easier to install than anything else.
PolyPipe®
PolyPipe is a thick black pipe used to transport highly pressurized water, usually to and from the home. It is used almost exclusively outdoors and is usually buried underground to prevent freezing. PolyPipe® is extremely rigid, and is rarely used for other purposes.
Here’s a good video about a double wide re-pipe:
Copper
Copper is the most common type of plumbing pipe used in the home, although it is more expensive than plastic piping. It is especially resistant to corrosion and can withstand high temperatures. Copper pipes come in three different sizes – type M, L, and K. Type M have very thin walls, while type L is of medium thickness, and type K is the thickest of the three.
Galvanized
Galvanized pipe is known for rust issues and the plastic piping (polybutylene) are known to corrode and cause leaks. There’s also an issue with the connections. If you find yourself plagued with leaks, go ahead and re-pipe the home, if possible.
Galvanized pipes have been used in homes for years, typically to carry water in and out of the house. The galvanized coating prevents rusting and gives a dull gray appearance. Use of these heavy duty pipes is diminishing, as it is being replaced by PEX pipe, which is less expensive and just as durable. Galvanized pipes typically come in sizes between ½ inch and 2 inches in diameter.
Common Plumbing Issues in Manufactured Homes
Nasty smells and weird noises
Ventilation issues are very common in manufactured homes. The most notable problem being nasty fumes and a build-up of gases that could cause some serious issues.
Ventilation makes your pipes remain at a neutral pressure. Without proper venting, your drainage slows and the water in your P-trap goes away, which in turn allows the nasty smells to escape into your home.
Think of a soda bottle: when you tip it half way, the liquid smoothly flows but when you turn it completely upside down, it makes gurgling sounds and the soda pours out slowly. That’s what happens when there’s not enough ventilation or air flow.
There are wet vents and dry vents, the roof pipe is considered a wet vent.
If you hear weird sounds coming from your walls when the water is draining (not when water is running) you most likely have a venting problem.
Venting issues are hard to find. The easiest cases will either be a clogged vent stack, separation of a vent line somewhere, or a failed auto-vent under a sink.
Plumbing Leaks
Plumbing supply lines in manufactured homes will rarely be inside a wall so you won’t need to worry too much about damage to walls. When there is a leak it’s usually the floors, sub-flooring, insulation, and HVAC ducts under the home that get damaged.
If your flooring is made of composite wood or MDF it will soak water up like a sponge. Wet MDF eventually bows and rots.
In the end, it will be far cheaper, and less stressful, to just cap off the old lines and run new water supply lines than trying to fight with old material and patches.
Area plumbing codes will be the ultimate factor in deciding what material to use but Pex is a popular product and as long as the connections are high quality and a proper seal is made, will be your best choice for supply lines.
A monthly check under your sinks and under the home itself is a good idea.
Leaks, clogs, low pressure, obnoxious odors, and having no hot water are just a few of the issues that you may encounter. If your manufactured home is older you may have to replace the system entirely. There are lots of things that can go wrong! We’ll try to cover them all in the future.
Leaking Faucets
Leaking can occur in a couple of different places on a faucet. It’s probably easier to just replace the whole unit than repair. If you are especially attached to your faucet, this article about fixing leaking faucets should help.
Clogs in your kitchen Sink
If there is a clog in your sink, a plunger can work well. They make a smaller plunger for the task. If you have a two-sided sink, close off one side by stuffing a rag into the drain (cut off air) and plunge the other side, then switch – keep doing it until the clog is gone.
If you have clog issues frequently, it may be time to find the underlying issue. You can remove your p-trap, if it’s closed off with grease you can clean it out or replace it. You may need to add a dry vent to the next closest sink.
How to Turn Your Water Off
Knowing where and how to turn your water off in case of an emergency, or before any repair, is important. Being able to shut your water off quickly can be the difference in a complete disaster and a small inconvenience.
The first place to go is the main stop valve for your home which should be around your utility room or around your outside garden hose water connection (hose bib as some call it).
If you can’t find your home’s main stop valve you’ll need to cut the water off at the main water meter (assuming you are on a city system) or in your pump house if you are on a well system.
Most city or town supplied city water systems require a water meter key. This is a five-sided pentagon wrench that unlocks the meter cover. They come in different sizes so check what size you need.
If you can’t find a meter key you can also use a wrench and long screwdriver for a makeshift key – place a wrench straight up and down and then thread the screwdriver through the hole at the end of the wrench. The two tools will look like a T. Use the screwdriver to turn the wrench. This article about turning off your water supply is handy if you want to read more.
Once you get the cover off the water meter cover you’ll see a knob or nut that you can twist to turn the water off. To work on the home’s plumbing system you’ll need to drain the supply line system so the pressure is released.
We’ve covered the basics of plumbing in manufactured homes: how the systems work, where everything is located, and what your choices are for pipe materials. We also covered the 5 most common mobile home plumbing issues and how to troubleshoot them.
Our article, How to Diagnose and Repair Venting Issues in Your Mobile Home Plumbing System, can help you learn more about venting issues.
Thanks so much for reading Mobile Home Living!
Featured Image: 37 Sequoia Circle, Santa Rosa CA listing photos.
FAQs
Mobile Home Plumbing Guide? ›
Mobile homes have two types of piping used in their plumbing, metal, and plastic. Most homes now use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), PEX pipe, and PolyPipe®. However, if your home is older, you more likely have metal plumbing such as copper, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
What kind of plumbing is used in mobile homes? ›Mobile homes have two types of piping used in their plumbing, metal, and plastic. Most homes now use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), PEX pipe, and PolyPipe®. However, if your home is older, you more likely have metal plumbing such as copper, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
How do water pipes run in a mobile home? ›Manufactured home plumbing runs through the floor of the home. Your pipes are located within the belly board, which is sometimes called the bottom board, and is surrounded by insulation. The belly board closes in the insulation around your plumbing and keeps everything in place under your home's flooring system.
What is the GREY pipe in mobile homes called? ›Polybutylene pipe is a gray plastic tubing that was commonly used as a water-supply plumbing pipe between 1978 and 1996, at which time it was discontinued due to reports of pipes rupturing. 1 In new construction, it was replaced by copper or more dependable forms of plastic pipe, such as CPVC and PEX.
Do mobile homes use PEX pipe? ›Newer mobile homes usually have CPVC or PEX tubing which will last as long as or longer than copper pipes in many cases, so those with the newer style pipes or those that have been re-piped need not worry.
What size pipe is used for mobile home plumbing? ›In most mobile homes the supply lines consist of PEX or copper and are smaller at around ⅜-1 inch. Older mobile homes should be copper, while newer mobiles are manufactured more and more using PEX. Drainage pipes need to be larger to transport solids and other accumulated waste so are usually 2-4 inches.
Do SharkBite fittings work on polybutylene? ›SharkBite Push-to-connect polybutylene fittings are the fastest way to transition from polybutylene pipe to PEX, copper, CPVC, PE-RT, or HDPE pipe. No soldering, clamps, unions, glue, or special tools are required.
Are mobile home faucets different than house faucets? ›The types of sinks and faucets – Mobile home tub/shower faucets and sinks also differ from traditional kitchen and bathroom applications. Mobile homes are equipped with fittings that are a lot easier to change out and service because of the restrictive nature of mobile home spaces.
What size is the drain pipe under a mobile home? ›Pipe Sizes – Pipe size plays a big role in a plumbing system. Using a pipe that is too small for your venting can cause just as much trouble as using too small of a pipe for your waste line. Many mobile home builders install a smaller 3″ pipe for drainage and venting, while site-built homes would have 4″ pipe.
How do mobile home pipes not freeze? ›To prevent pipes from freezing, it is necessary to apply what's called heat tape. This tape wraps around your water pipes and plugs into your electrical supply. You then put insulation around the heat tape. Heat tape is set up to automatically turn on when the temperature hits 40 degrees.
What year did they stop using polybutylene pipes? ›
Pipes made from polybutylene were installed in up to 10 million homes in the Unites States during that period. Despite its strengths, production was ceased in mid-1996 after scores of allegations surfaced claiming that polybutylene pipes were rupturing and causing property damage.
Is polybutylene piping illegal? ›Though not banned, polybutylene pipes are no longer sold in the United States market. Most homes built after 1995 should not have polybutylene pipes, but there may still have been piping available and some plumbers may have still been using them.
Should you replace polybutylene pipes? ›Because polybutylene pipes are prone to leaking and rupturing, we highly recommend that they be replaced. Polybutylene pipes take about 10-15 years to deteriorate, and sometimes you may not know you have a leak, especially if the pipes are behind sheetrock.
Why do plumbers not use PEX? ›PEX plumbing lacks versatility because of its sensitivity to light. PEX cannot be taken anywhere outside the house where it is directly exposed to UV for a long period. The synthetic material of the pipes can slowly disintegrate due to the light of the sun.
Do pipes freeze in mobile homes? ›Unfortunately, mobile homes are very prone to pipes freezing because they are smaller and have thinner materials making up their walls and foundation. The process of making sure your mobile home stays protected is different than in a stationary home, as well.
What is PEX pipe bad for? ›There are no health risks associated with drinking water from PEX pipes. A few types of PEX-pipe may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odour if the water remains in pipes over time.
What size is the GREY pipe in mobile home? ›Polybutylene pipes are usually 1/2” or 1” in diameter and marked with the code “PB2110.” Inside the house, polybutylene piping is typically grey and can often be found close to water heaters, sinks and toilets, as well as inside walls and along ceilings in basements.
How do I know my plumbing pipe size? ›To find it, measure around the circumference of the pipe with flexible measuring tape. Divide the circumference by pi, or about 3.14159. For example, if the circumference is 12.57 inches (319 mm), you would divide by pi, and get an outside diameter of about 4 inches (100 mm).
Why do plumbers say not to use SharkBite? ›Most plumbers say SharkBite fittings aren't strong enough to produce durable, reliable, long-lasting connections.
Why don t plumbers use SharkBite? ›Another downside to using SharkBite fittings is that lots of plumbers feel that these fittings merely aren't strong enough to create a hard, durable connection. There's no proof to back that up, they simply trust soldering for their irreversible plumbing jobs.
Is PEX A or B better? ›
Bottom line, PEX A is more resistant to burst pressure than PEX B. PEX A's expansive material can handle up to 500 PSI, which makes it reliable in extremely cold temperatures. Since PEX B is a more rigid material, it will not hold up as well in similar situations.
Can you replace a mobile home faucet with a regular faucet? ›A mobile home sink faucet or a mobile home bathtub faucet can easily be replaced with one made for a stick-built house if necessary.
Can you put a regular faucet in a trailer? ›You can install any faucet in a RV as long as you have adapters. The pipes in a sticks and bricks house are not the same size as the pipes in a RV. These adapters are key to installing a RV faucet. You'll need two, so buy the pack.
Are mobile home faucets standard size? ›The most common tub faucet in mobile homes. Standard 8 inch spread between hot and cold lines, and a shower diverter in the middle. Three and three-eighths inch center-to-center faucet with diverter. Three and three-eighths inch center-to-center faucet with diverter and exposed shower connect.
How far down should a drain pipe be? ›The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide. French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
How high does a drain pipe need to be? ›The correct rough-in height for sink drains to pass the inspection is between 18 and 20 inches. Standard sink drains usually start from 24 inches and stop at 28 inches, so the rough-in height should be slightly lower than this height range.
How far should a drain pipe be from the wall? ›Any sidewall or nearby fixture must be at least 15" away from the toilet's flange. However, 15" is the absolute minimum. A 15-inch distance from the vanity, shower, tub and back and side walls are required to accommodate the toilet flange.
How do you winterize mobile home pipes? ›Insulating pipes might be easier than you expect. First, buy rubber or fiberglass insulation pipe wraps. Simply put these around your pipes and tie them down using cable ties, acrylic, duct tape, or aluminum foil wrap. skirting, skirting vents, and entry places around your home and make sure it's secure and undamaged.
How do I keep my mobile home warm in the winter? ›- Improve Your Insulation. ...
- Weatherproof the Windows. ...
- Use Thermal Curtains for Windows. ...
- Use a Central Heating System. ...
- Include a Fireplace for Class and Warmth. ...
- Use Draft Stoppers. ...
- Use Area Rugs. ...
- Place the Radiator in a Strategic Spot.
Keeping your home warm is not just about your comfort. Remember, if the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it will only take around six consecutive hours for your pipes to freeze and possibly burst.
Is it expensive to replace polybutylene pipes? ›
Because polybutylene pipes are known to fail, putting off repiping the house is risky. The cost of installing or replacing pipes in a house costs between $2,500 to $15,000, depending on how many bathrooms or floors are in your home.
Is all grey pipe polybutylene? ›Knowing if your home contains polybutylene plumbing is important so you can take precautions. Beware of gray pipes: Polybutylene is a gray tube that carries potable water through many homes. PB is pretty much the only gray water pipe ever installed in homes.
How much does it cost to replace polybutylene pipes with PEX? ›How Much Does it Cost to Replace Polybutylene Pipes? As of 2022, depending on the number of fixtures, the estimated cost of replacing polybutylene pipes with PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) pipes or PVC pipes ranges from $1,500 to $8,000.
What to do if you have polybutylene pipes? ›If you discover polybutylene plumbing in your home, we recommend replacing your system. At the minimum, you should have a licensed plumber inspect your pipes to determine their integrity. This will involve shutting off your water and looking inside your pipes to check for wear and cracking.
Can I use PEX pipe in polybutylene fitting? ›The SharkBite PEX barb polybutylene adapter is made of a lead-free DZR brass, and is an easy to install, low-cost solution to connect PEX tubing to polybutylene pipe. SharkBite PEX barb fittings are compatible for potable water distribution and hydronic heating applications.
How do you convert polybutylene to PEX? ›Cut and remove all the polybutylene piping from the house. Run new PEX piping through all the locations where the polybutylene used to be. Connect the pipes using PEX fittings and the expansion tool. Turn the water back on.
What is the lifespan of polybutylene? ›Although Polybutylene pipes can last between 10 and 15 years, its corrosion and degradation can be accelerated by water chlorination. Besides, the damage of Polybutylene pipes happens from inside out; so, there is no way to know the extent of damage the pipes have already suffered.
Is PEX the new polybutylene? ›Is Poly-B the same as PEX? No, they are actually very different types of piping. To discuss, poly-b is a type of plastic piping made from polybutylene, while PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) is a newer and more durable option that has been gaining in popularity over the past few years.
Is PEX plumbing the same as polybutylene? ›There are two common types of plastic piping which are known as PB (Polybutylene) and PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene). The main difference between PB and PEX is in how the material is created. The polymer chains in PEX are bonded to each other; this is called cross-linking and does not happen in PB pipes.
Do mice eat PEX pipe? ›Since PEX pipe is a flexible tubing, it can be as easily chewed through as plastic. Rodents like mice and rats love to chew on plastic materials. If a rodent gains access to your PEX tubing, and begin chewing through PEX, your home will undoubtedly become flooded.
Should I Repipe with PEX or copper? ›
While both are workable solutions for repipe projects, there are many unique advantages that PEX pipe offers that cannot be found with copper. The most common reason why people generally choose PEX piping over copper is because there is a less of a risk for leaks with PEX piping.
What lasts longer copper or PEX? ›Copper pipes can last anywhere from six months to the life of a building. But PEX tubing, when operating within its pressure and temperature ratings, has a predicted life expectancy of 50 years per PPI TR-3.
What pipes are used in mobile homes? ›Mobile homes have two types of piping used in their plumbing, metal, and plastic. Most homes now use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), PEX pipe, and PolyPipe®. However, if your home is older, you more likely have metal plumbing such as copper, stainless steel, and galvanized steel.
How long does heat tape last under a mobile home? ›Heat tapes can only last for three years because they are always exposed to water and electricity, and so you should replace them at least every three years.
What is the best insulation for mobile home pipes? ›You can protect your pipes using fiberglass or polyethylene insulation tubes that are available in most hardware stores.
What is better PVC or PEX? ›When a connection to copper or other metal pipes is required, PEX works better than PVC because crosslinked polyethylene won't corrode. - Price. When you compare the material costs of PEX vs PVC, PEX comes out more expensive. (However, balance this factor against the lower labor cost to install PEX.)
Do PEX pipes get clogged? ›While copper, PVC and PEX pipes are more resistant to hard water buildup and corrosion, they can still get clogged or completely blocked by scale deposits.
Why is PEX banned in California? ›Because it is a thermoset plastic, PEX cannot be melted down and reused. A 2005 report by the San Francisco Department of the Environment found that PEX was the only type of plastic piping that no plastic recycler would accept.
Can you connect PEX to polybutylene? ›The SharkBite PEX barb polybutylene adapter is made of a lead-free DZR brass, and is an easy to install, low-cost solution to connect PEX tubing to polybutylene pipe. SharkBite PEX barb fittings are compatible for potable water distribution and hydronic heating applications.
What size is polybutylene pipe in mobile homes? ›Polybutylene pipes are usually 1/2” or 1” in diameter and marked with the code “PB2110.” Inside the house, polybutylene piping is typically grey and can often be found close to water heaters, sinks and toilets, as well as inside walls and along ceilings in basements.
Are mobile home water heaters different? ›
Mobile home water heaters have the cold-water inlet connection on the side and the hot water outlet connection on top. Residential water heaters have all connections on the top of the tank. A mobile home heater comes with a securing strap kit. Regular water heaters are not built to be installed on combustible flooring.
Where should you not use PEX pipe? ›PEX plumbing lacks versatility because of its sensitivity to light. PEX cannot be taken anywhere outside the house where it is directly exposed to UV for a long period. The synthetic material of the pipes can slowly disintegrate due to the light of the sun.
Is all GREY pipe polybutylene? ›Knowing if your home contains polybutylene plumbing is important so you can take precautions. Beware of gray pipes: Polybutylene is a gray tube that carries potable water through many homes. PB is pretty much the only gray water pipe ever installed in homes.
Do I have to replace my polybutylene pipes? ›Polybutylene pipes deteriorate after about 10 to 15 years, so if you still have them, it's past time to look into replacing them. At a minimum, watch for signs of a hidden water leak.
What years was polybutylene used in mobile homes? ›Polybutylene (PB) was a plastic manufactured between 1978 and mid-1995 for use as piping in home plumbing systems. It was inexpensive and offered plenty of advantages over other materials, such as flexibility, ease of installation, resistance to freezing.
Is it necessary to replace polybutylene? ›Because polybutylene pipes are prone to leaking and rupturing, we highly recommend that they be replaced. Polybutylene pipes take about 10-15 years to deteriorate, and sometimes you may not know you have a leak, especially if the pipes are behind sheetrock.
Can I use blue PEX for hot water? ›Color-Coded: Red PEX pipes can be used for hot water supply lines, blue PEX for cold water supply, and white for either hot or cold. These colors are just for your convenience. Plumbing code does not require the pipe color to match the type of water supply.
Can I use SharkBite on PEX A? ›SharkBite push-to-connect fittings listed to ASSE 1061 approved for PEX-A, PEX-B and PEX-C pipe. Note: Install SharkBite fittings at least 1 inch apart to enable disassembly of the joint.
Does PEX restrict water flow? ›The reality is that even PEX expansion fittings, which are sometimes referred to as “full-flow,” restrict flow rates.