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how do I test rough plumbing for leaks?

I just roughed in my cabin for plumbing using PEX Yurn tubing and fittings. I have not tied into the main water line.....due to snow and ice upstate. I was thinking of using an AIR line from my small compressor from sears. any ideas? I want to test for leaks so I can close in walls. DAve I

Public Comments

  1. You can purchase a hand pump, and pump the system up to 150PSI. You will need to install a pressure Gage to monitor the pressure. You can purchase one at Lowes or Home depot for about $10. No pressure loss is what you need to see.
  2. air, only use 1 to 5 lbs no more, air will put greater pressure on the pipes than water, close air valve wait 15 to 20 min check air pressure.
  3. Since you don't have access to a hydrostatic pump you can fill the system with water and then pump air on top of that. Of course you will have to deal with the freezing temperatures or just use air alone. The PEX pipe should have a rated pressure printed on it. I imagine your normal pressure from the water main would be around 30lbs but that's with water in the line. You can easily go up to 100lbs with air and it will not harm anything. I use PEX as well as regular PVC water pipe to run underground airlines off my shop air compressor and they carry over 150lbs. You will need to install a gauge and give it 24 hours or so to see if the pressure remains the same as where you set it. Don't leave your compressor hooked up to it as you may have a leak in your air hose. Just install a valve stem on your PEX water system to air it up. Use a little water with some soap mixed in to look for leaks if you have any. One place which sometimes leaks is the valve stem where you air up the system. Be sure the valve stem core is tight and not leaking.
  4. I sure hate to be the one to tell you this, but better you hear now than later. When you say Yurn, I presume you mean Zurn. They're having a lot of problems with their PEX fittings and I believe that there's a lawsuit in progress. You should do a search for "Zurn AND PEX". Oddly, it's the brass fittings that are causing problems. Don't shoot the messenger. As far as testing, either air or water are fine. It's a good idea to run water piping in places that freeze in a way that allows you to drain it, if at all possible. That is, pitch the water piping back to a low point (if you can) & put a frost-free hose bib there.
  5. An air compressor will work, make sure all connections are right and sealed, then see if the pipes can fold about 10-20lbs of pressure over a period of time of about 20 minutes. Or go ahead and hook up to the main and turn on the water pressure to inspect for leaks. If there are leaks, you should be able to locate them. If leaks are present, shut off the water and fix as necessary before you close up the walls.
  6. Th guy that said 150PSI, ignore that. You are asking for trouble with that much pressure. I fashioned a unit that I can screw onto sink connections to blow air through the lines as part of the winterization of plumbing systems on forelcosure homes here in wisconsin. I have fashioned a unit to attach to measure the pressure and 10-20 psi is plenty. You can probably buy a unit to pressure test but if you scrounge the plumbing section you could make one for about $20. I love PEX! I use it in all my rental homes!
  7. this website should help..