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Since it first became popular in the 1980s and 90s, PEX PVC pipe, better known simply as PEX pipe or PEX, has revolutionized the plumbing industry. PEX pipe is loved for how flexible and easy to use it is. It's also a softer material, which means it's easier to cut and make connections, but without compromising strength and durability.

However, one of the only issues that people have when using PEX is not being able to straighten it out. PEX pipe typically comes in rolls, similar to a roll of tape or electrical wiring, and is often 100 to 300 feet long. The rolls are also bound together, which results in tightly coiled PEX that's difficult to unroll in a straight line.

If you're new to the plumbing world or simply haven't figured out a good way to keep your PEX straight, you've come to the right place. This article will delve deeper into what PEX is, why it's important to keep it straight, and how to get it that way for installation.

What is PEX PVC Piping?

Cross-linked polyethylene piping, better known as PEX, is the future of plumbing in the United States. PEX is made of high-density polyethylene, a type of durable plastic that is cross-linked for extra strength and durability.

Although PEX is technically a type of plastic, it's the perfect combination of hard, flexible, and durable. As such, PEX is fairly easy to cut with plumbing tools but not so soft that it will kink easily or get cut accidentally on other tools and objects.

PEX is used for both hot and cold water lines in residential and commercial use. PEX comes in various colors, including red for hot water, blue for cold water, and clear or white for additional lines. These color-coded pipes make it easy to keep track of which water lines are carrying hot water and which ones are carrying cold water. PVCFittingsOnline carries a wide range of PEX fittings.

Why is It Important to Straighten PEX Pipe Before Installation?

While there are a lot of positives about PEX, one downside is in how it's packaged. PEX tubing typically gets delivered in a tight coil, giving it a naturally bent shape. You do have the option of getting PEX pipe in straight sections of 10 to 20 feet, but it's quite a bit more expensive than buying coils. As such, plumbers typically only use straight sections for small repairs, rather than for new installations.

For the sake of time and wanting to dive into your work, it's tempting to try to install PEX tubing without straightening it out. However, this is almost always a mistake unless you need your plumbing pipe to naturally bend around corners. Therefore, in most cases, it's important to straighten out PEX for the following reasons.

• Neater Installation: Straight plumbing lines always look neater than crooked or bent ones.

• Faster Installation: Even though it takes some extra time upfront, you can install PEX much easier and faster when it's straight versus when it's crooked.

• Better For Water: Water will reach its destination faster if it doesn't have unnecessary twists and bends to flow through.

How to Straighten PEX Pipe: Four Methods

Now that you know why it's important to straighten your PEX pipe out before installing it, here are three ways to get the job done.

The Unrolling Method

One of the best ways to straighten PEX out is to carefully unroll it, rather than just grabbing an end and pulling on it. One way to do this is to unroll it the same way you would unroll a coil of electrical wire.

1. Stand on one end of the PEX tubing.

2. Start unrolling the PEX and walk on the tubing as you're unrolling it.

3. You can also have someone hold one end of the tube while you unroll it.

To make the unrolling method easier, you can also use a piping uncoiler. This is a method I've used in the past and have found to be highly effective. You simply place the coil of PEX inside the uncoiler, grab one end of the tube, and pull on it. This is the fastest and easiest way to straighten PEX pipe, but the uncoiler can be somewhat pricey.

The Warm Water Method

One of the reasons that PEX is so stiff and coiled is because it's naturally cool. Once you heat it up, however, the PEX will naturally loosen up and start to straighten. Even if it doesn't straighten out completely, warming up the pipe will make it easier if you're using an uncoiler or one of the other methods in this article to straighten your pipe.

To warm up your PEX, you can either place the coiling inside a tub of warm or hot water or run warm water through the inside of the pipe. The best way to do this is to connect straight to a nearby water heater and run water through the pipe.

If you don't want to mess with water or don't have access to it, you can also use a heat gun to heat the outside of the pipe. However, this method can take quite a while and may be ineffective.

The Bend-as-You-Go Method

If you don't want to use the water method or spend money on an uncoiler, you can straighten the PEX pipe yourself as you unroll it. Here's how it works:

1. Unroll the PEX, starting at the end on the outside of the roll.

2. As you're unrolling the PEX, press the bent side against a door jam or wall stud and straighten the pipe as you're unrolling it.

3. By applying just enough pressure against the bend, the PEX will straighten just enough for neat and easy installation.

4. You can either straighten the entire roll right off the bat, or straighten it as needed.

Purchase a PEX Straightening Tool

Last but not least, you can purchase a tabletop PEX straightening tool. PEX straightening tools are compact and fairly easy to use, but are only worth it if you frequently install PEX. The tool fastens to the floor or a nearby surface, and you simply run the PEX tubing through the tool as you're unrolling it. You can also adjust the rolls inside the tool to match up with different sizes of PEX. 

Your pool's plumbing system consists of many different components, including pipes, pumps, filters, valves, and more. While each component plays an integral role, none of it would be possible without pool valves. Valves control the flow of water to and from your pool and filter and play an integral part in flow control, filtration, and much more. 

In the world of pool valves, you have two basic options - actuated or manual. Actuated valves operate automatically via sensors and electronics, whereas manual pool valves operate without electricity. Instead, they open, close, and direct water according to outside forces that affect them.

While actuated and manual pool valves are the broad categories into which all pool valves fall, there are many different types of valves. This article will explore what those valves are, the differences between manual and actuated valves, and more. We'll also look at where to get the best pool valves in the industry. 

What is a Pool Valve?

As we said before, pool valves are an essential part of your pool's plumbing system. They are small pipe fittings, usually with a handle or knob on them that you can twist or turn to open and close. Pool valves have two options - open or closed - and the option you choose determines if water can flow through the valve or not. 

Most pool plumbing systems have multiple valves that perform different tasks, including: 

• Diverting water to or away from your pool heater.
• Diverting water to or away from your pool filter.
• Diverting water to or away from your pool pump.
• Controlling the direction of water flows in your pool's plumbing system.
• Controlling how fast water flows in and out of your pool filter.

Without pool valves, water will either sit inside your pool and stagnate or flow randomly in every direction. This could result in water flooding your pump, heater, or filter but never returning to the pool, resulting in flooding and damaged components. Additionally, without pool valves, none of these components would operate how they're supposed to, negating all the positives of your pump, filter, and heater. 

Pool valves are especially important if there's an issue with an individual part of your pool's plumbing system. The valve allows you to turn off water to that specific component rather than having to shut down the system altogether. You can also determine whether or not water flows to your heater by diverting it away from the heater if you want to save on your power bill. 

What is a Manual Pool Valve?

Manual pool valves are the most common type of pool valves on the market. Manual valves require hands-on operation if you want to open or close the valve. In other words, if you want to divert the flow of water one way or the other, you will have to manually turn or twist the valve to open or close it. 

Different Types of Manual Pool Valves

There are several different types of manual pool valves, and each one will have a different apparatus for controlling the flow of water. 

Gate Valves

A gate valve is often the largest type of valve on your swimming pool's plumbing system. A gate valve typically has a round wheel-like handle that you turn clockwise or counterclockwise to open and close. Because of how heavy-duty gate valves are, smaller swimming pools don't need them, and they are typically reserved for larger ones. 

Ball Valves

A ball valve is the most common type of pool valve. It has a handle on top of it that you rotate a quarter-turn clockwise or counterclockwise to open or close. You can use ball valves at every point of your pool's plumbing system to control the flow of water. There are two basic types of swimming pool ball valves: 

• Diverter Ball Valves

As the name indicates, a diverter valve diverts the flow of water from one direction to another. For instance, it might divert water away from the pool heater and towards the filter or vice versa. 

• Multiport Ball Valves

A multiport valve is often used inside of a swimming pool filter and serves three main purposes. First, there's a port that directs water into the filter. Next, a second port takes water that has just exited the filter and directs it back into the filter for debris removal. Finally, a third port removes water from the pool altogether when it's too dirty to clean. 

You can also adjust multiport ball valves to simply recirculate water without filtering it, if you want to give your pump and filter a break. 

Check Valves

Finally, there are also check valves on your pool system. Check valves are like one-way streets for pool water. The valve is designed so that water can pass freely through it, but, once it's past the valve, it cannot flow back through it. In other words, check valves are backflow prevention valves that help maintain the cleanliness and integrity of your pool. 

What is an Actuated Pool Valve?

While manual valves used to be the only type of valve available, actuated pool valves have started to take over. Actuated valves, also known as pool valve actuators, are valves that feature controls that open and close the valve automatically. In most cases, the mechanism that opens and closes the valve is controlled electronically, although some are controlled by compressed air or water. 

Every type of manual pool valve is also available as an actuated valve, depending on your preferences. Because actuated valves are more expensive than manual ones, most people opt for manual valves anywhere that the valve is easily accessible. As such, the most common place for an actuated pool valve is for the multiport valve inside the pool filter. 

What are the Differences Between Actuated and Manual Pool Valves?

Actuated and manual pool valves fulfill the same purpose of controlling and diverting the flow of water. They even do so using the same interior mechanisms that open and close accordingly. The difference between the two, however, is in how these mechanisms are controlled. Manual pool valves require manual operation, while actuated valves open and close automatically as needed. 

Regardless of what type of pool valves you need, PVC Fittings Online is the place to get them. From basic PVC ball valves to brass gate valves, they have everything you need to ensure you have a fully functioning swimming pool plumbing system. 

If you're lucky enough to have an above-ground or in-ground pool at your home, it's important to properly care for and maintain it. While there are many practices and factors that go into pool maintenance, the type of pool filter you use is one of the most important. When it comes to pool filters, there are two basic types available: aftermarket and OEM. 

OEM (original) pool filters and cartridges are considered the better option between the two, but they're also more expensive. Aftermarket pool filters, while being more affordable, may not last as long or do as good of a job as an OEM filter. There's also a chance that an aftermarket brand isn't compatible with your pool. 

If you know you need a new pool filter but aren't sure which option is right for you, you've come to the right place. This article will explain the difference between aftermarket and OEM pool parts and filters and how to decide which option is right for you. Let's "dive" in! 

What Are OEM Pool Parts?

OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer and refers to the parts that originally came with your pool. In the case of your pool filter cartridge, the OEM filter is whatever the pool professional installed for you when you first purchased your pool.

On average, pool filter cartridges last for three to four years, but they can give out sooner depending on how much you use your pool. Traditionally, when cartridge filters needed to be replaced, the only option was to go back to the original manufacturer and purchase a replacement filter.

What Are Aftermarket Pool Parts?

aftermarket pool equipment refers to any pool filters and replacement parts that are not the same as your original brand. For instance, if you had a Polaris filter cartridge originally installed on your pool, aftermarket filter cartridges would be any filters other than Polaris.

Also referred to as aftermarket parts, aftermarket filters, and pool parts sometimes have an unwarranted reputation as not being as good as their OEM counterparts. However, as long as the aftermarket products you choose are high-quality and compatible with your pool and cleaner, they'll get the job done.

What's the Difference Between OEM and Aftermarket Pool Parts?

While both OEM and aftermarket pool filter cartridges perform the same task and get installed the same way, there are a few differences you should know about.

Warranty

Warranty coverage is something that all pool owners should consider when replacing their pool filter cartridges. If something goes wrong with your filter and it gets damaged or causes damage to another part of your pool, such as the pump, it likely won't be covered by warranty if you were using an aftermarket filter. If you're using an OEM part, however, the damage may be covered under warranty.

Price

While warranty coverage is a good reason to buy OEM, price is typically a good reason to buy aftermarket. OEM filter cartridges and parts can cost two or three times as much as their aftermarket counterparts. This is because major manufacturers have had a monopoly on the pool industry for so long and are used to being able to charge whatever they want.

However, as aftermarket parts are gaining in popularity, OEM prices have come down slightly but are still much higher than aftermarket ones.

Material and Bands

While price and warranty information are important, it's more important to consider the quality of the filter cartridges themselves. Quality often comes down to two factors - the material of the filter and the band count.

The band count refers to the bands that wrap around the entire length of the pool filters. They keep the filter pleats from moving around while they're filtering your water, and the more bands you have, the more stable the pleats will be. Therefore, if you choose an aftermarket brand, make sure it has enough bands to get the job done.

When it comes to the actual material of the pool filters, there are several options to choose from. A combination of microfiber and either polyester or nylon mesh are the best materials for pool filters. As long as the aftermarket filter you choose has this combination of materials, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Durability and Filtration Performance

Finally, it's also important to consider durability and overall performance when comparing OEM and original pool filter cartridges. In general, as long as aftermarket filters are the same size and have high-quality bands and materials, they will perform as well as OEM parts for a fraction of the price. They will last just as long, too!

Are OEM or aftermarket Parts Right For Me?

In general, it's always safer to choose original pool parts if you're on the fence about which parts to choose. OEM parts that are exactly the same as those you're replacing will certainly be compatible and work with your pool. However, if you talk with a pool parts professional and they assure you that certain aftermarket parts are ok for your situation, you can use aftermarket parts. 

Another option is to choose aftermarket replacement pool filter cartridges that are high-quality and work with any system and filter housing. If you prefer to go this route, consider choosing a Unicell pool cartridge filter from PVC Fittings Online. Unicell makes some of the finest replacement filter cartridges in the industry that are just as good, if not better, than your OEM cartridges.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Aftermarket Pool Parts 

If you're leaning towards buying aftermarket pool parts, such as a Unicell pool filter cartridge, here are a few factors to consider before making your purchase.

•Do your homework on the brand in question and make sure they are a reliable distributor.
•Check Google reviews on the brand in question to see how their products are performing.
•Make sure the parts you choose are the same size as the parts you're replacing.
•Beware of aftermarket brands attempting to pawn their products off as original when they're knock-offs.

As long as you keep these things in mind when you're purchasing aftermarket replacement filter cartridges, you are good to go. 

Whether you're a plumber, a homeowner doing your own plumbing, or otherwise working with PVC, camlock fittings are your best friend. Camlock hose fittings are special plumbing components that are ideal for attaching PVC pipe to other pipe materials.

There are many different types of female and male camlock fittings, including those made of aluminum, stainless steel, brass, and more. There are even polypropylene camlock fittings, which are some of the most commonly used in the industry. Each of these various fittings gets connected to PVC differently, depending on the material.

If you're curious and want to know more about camlock fittings and how they connect to PVC, you've come to the right place. This article will also look at the different types of camlock fittings and how to choose the one that's right for you.

What are Camlock Fittings?

Also referred to as cam and groove couplings, camlock fittings are used to connect two different piping materials together. These types of fittings typically consist of a coupler on one side and a grooved end on the other. Cam and groove couplings can also be used to attach two halves of the same material together. It all depends on your needs.

In addition to being very versatile, camlock fittings are also easy to use and require no tools for installation. They also don't require any special preparation, such as glue or Teflon tape, and can be readily used in any environment. As such, they're the most popular type of coupler in the world and are used in many different industries.

Different Types of Camlock Fittings

As we said before, there are many different types of camlock fittings. They can be made of brass, aluminum, stainless steel, polypropylene, and nylon, to name the most common options. In addition to there being different material options, there are also different types of fittings based on your needs.

Type A - Male Adapter With Female Thread

Also known as a male camlock X, this type of fitting has a male end that fits into the female end of another camlock fitting and a female end with threaded ends.

Type B - Female Coupler With Male Thread

Also known as a female NPT camlock, this type of fitting has a female end that attaches to a male camlock X fitting, and a male threaded end.

Type C - Coupler With Hose Tail

This type of camlock fitting has a female end that attaches to a male camlock X and a male hose barb end that attaches to a hose fitting.

Type D - Coupler With Female Thread

This type of camlock fitting has a female end that attaches to a male camlock X and a female threaded side that attaches to a male thread.

Type E - Adapter With Hose Tail

This type of fitting has a male end that fits into the female end of another camlock fitting and a male hose barb end that attaches to a hose fitting.

Type F - Adapter With Male Thread

This type of fitting has a male end that fits into the female end of another camlock fitting and a male threaded side that screws into a female threaded end.

Type DC - Dust Cap For Adapter

This type of fitting is a dust cap that fits over the top of the male end of a camlock fitting to seal it off.

Type DP - Dust Plug For Coupler

This type of fitting is a dust plug with a male camlock end that fits into the end of a female coupler.

Different Components of a Camlock Fitting

As you can see, there are many different types and styles of camlock fittings. However, every fitting consists of two or three basic parts, including the following.

Male Adapter 

The first crucial part of a camlock fitting is the male adapter. The male end of the camlock coupling will either fit inside of a female camlock end or have threads so that you can screw it into the female end of your PVC pipe adapter. If it has threads, it's known as the cam groove end.

Female Coupler

The second part of any camlock fitting is the female coupler end. The female end will either fit around a male camlock end and fasten to it or have threaded grooves that attach to a PVC male adapter on a PVC pipe. In the case of metal pipe, the camlock will be made of metal and the threaded end will attach to a metal pipe fitting.

Can Arms 

Finally, you have cam arms, also known as cam levers, that are used to tighten the female cam fitting to the male end. Cam arms are only included on fittings with a female NPT camlock end.

Which Camlock Fitting is Right For Me? 

The nice part about camlock fittings is that it's fairly easy to determine which fitting is right for you as long as you follow these two steps. First, match the material of the camlock fitting with the material of whatever you're attaching to. Next, choose a fitting that has the ends and connectors you need to make a solid connection.

How to Connect My Camlock Fitting to PVC Pipe 

Now that you know the different types of camlock fittings and how to choose the one you need, let's look at how to connect camlock to PVC pipe.

1. Start by gluing a male adapter onto the end of your PVC pipe. The male adapter will have a female end that goes around the outside of the pipe and a threaded male end.
2. Next, select a Type A nylon or polypropylene camlock fitting.
3. Screw the female end of the camlock onto the male end of the PVC adapter.
4. Wrap Teflon tape around male end of the PVC adapter before screwing the female NPT camlock onto it.
5. Next, select the right female NPT camlock fitting for your needs.
6. To attach the female camlock to the male camlock, simply slide the female end over the male end.
7. With the male end fully inserted, pull the cam handles down to lock the fittings in place.
8. Remove the small pin from the cam handle and insert it into the hole just below the handle to lock the handle in place.

By following these steps, you'll create a leak proof seal while connecting to PVC pipe. If you're not sure which type of camlock fitting is right for you, the pros at PVC Fittings Online can help! 

If you're a plumber or enjoy DIY projects, it's essential to understand the different products and materials you're working with. For instance, it's common with plumbing projects to run into situations where you must combine different materials. One of these most frequent occurrences is when you need to use PVC fittings with CPVC pipe. However, this begs the question of whether you can combine these two materials.

Although PVC and CPVC are two different types of pipe, they're similar enough that for non-pressure applications, PVC fittings are compatible with CPVC pipe. However, it's essential to use the correct type of glue or cement and to use pipe and fittings that are compatible in size. Otherwise, you risk damaging your pipe and fittings, and the two materials won't be compatible.
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If you're a novice plumber who has just completed their first plumbing project, you probably think your job is done. You've installed all the vents, drains, and water lines, and everything looks great! However, the job isn't finished until you perform a pressure test on your piping to ensure there are no leaks.

Pressure tests for PVC piping systems are generally mandatory to pass a plumbing inspection. They're the only way to ensure your pipes won't leak or burst when full of water. Pressure testing requirements vary by a multitude of factors, such as state, county, and city, so it’s essential you ensure you’re up to code wherever your project is located.

While pressure testing your plumbing system sounds simple, it's a somewhat complicated procedure, especially for newbies. However, regardless of how inconvenient or difficult it is, pressure testing your PVC pipes is essential to have peace of mind and avoid future plumbing problems.
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If you're performing plumbing repairs or modifications, there's a chance you'll encounter a situation where you need to connect PVC to brass. In most cases, it's connecting a PVC fitting to a brass pipe, but it can also be the opposite. Either way, while connecting PVC to brass is possible, it's important to do it correctly to avoid leaks.

The best way to connect PVC to brass is to use a threaded PVC female adapter and screw it onto the threaded end of a brass pipe. However, you can also use a flexible PVC or Fernco coupling with stainless steel clamps when connecting two pipes. The one way that you should never connect PVC to brass is with a traditional PVC coupling or fitting, fastened with PVC glue and primer.

When connecting PVC to brass, using the right materials and following the proper procedures is vital. Otherwise, your connection will likely loosen, resulting in leaks, water damage, and mold issues.
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Whether you are working on a DIY craft project or you need to clear a clog in your drain line, you may one day find yourself staring at PVC pipes and fittings, wondering how to separate them. If your threaded PVC pipes and fittings were not glued together with solvent cement, or if the solvent cement has not yet cured, you may be able to separate your PVC fairly easily. Unfortunately, once solvent cement has been applied and allowed to cure, separating your threaded PVC pipes and fittings can be more challenging, though not impossible. Before you break out the hacksaw, though, there are some alternatives that may do the trick.
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PVC pipe is durable and water-resistant, making it the perfect material for applications where the pipe will need to be submerged. But what happens when you need to repair piping or fitting underwater? While repairing and solvent cementing dry PVC is often easier, it is possible to repair PVC underwater. With the right water-safe materials, your pond fountain, pool pump, or other submerged structure will be ready to go in no time.
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If you’re planning on installing a PVC gutter drain in your yard, you’ve probably noticed the large variety of PVC pipe to choose from. Selecting a pipe with a small diameter allows you to dig a much smaller trench, but it’s likely to not have the capacity to handle rainwater and debris. PVC with a larger diameter is effective at whisking rainwater away, but would require you to dig up much of your yard to accommodate it. Below we'll cover the best size pipe for your gutter drain, as well as other factors to consider when it comes to proper installation.
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