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The Daily Insight

Is wirsbo the same as PEX

Author

Emily Dawson

Published Mar 01, 2026

This is a question we receive frequently at pexhouse.com and the short answer is that Wirsbo IS PEX! PEX is slang for “Crosslinked Polyethylene”, a popular type of plastic material used for plumbing and heating pipes all over the world. Wirsbo is simply one of many brand names of PEX in the marketplace.

Can expandable PEX be crimped?

You can install PEX water systems in two ways, namely: PEX Crimp Fittings (ASTM F1807 or F2159 – Crimp) Expansion PEX Fittings (ASTM F1960 – Expansion)

Did uponor buy wirsbo?

Uponor enters the plastic hot water pipe business by acquiring the German company Hewing and the Swedish company Wirsbo.

Is uponor and wirsbo the same?

Uponor (formerly Wirsbo) has been making PEX pipe for radiant floor heating since 1970, longer than any other PEX manufacturer.

Is PEX crimp or clamp better?

If you are looking for a fast and more secure connection that will stand the test of time, crimp tools are your better option. But if you want more flexibility without working more, go for PEX clamps.

Can I use crimp fittings on PEX-A?

Crimp fittings require copper or stainless steel crimp rings and a PEX crimp or clamp tool. … Crimp fittings are compatible with all types of PEX tubing, except for PEX-AL-PEX. Crimp fittings are preferred for many applications since they are widely available and are the most affordable.

Do PEX Clamps fail?

Also, the clamp rings can be susceptible to corrosion. If they fail at any point, there will be a catastrophic failure.

Is PEX crimp better than cinch?

The stainless steel Cinch Clamps are stronger than the copper Crimp Rings. I know this from personal experience after working with frozen water lines. When the fitted connection freezes with water in the line it will cause the copper Crimp Ring to expand just enough to cause a leak when it thaws.

Can you use pliers to crimp PEX?

You should use a crimping tool that crimps the PEX. Good luck with the crimping. The tool can be rented or purchased. Diagonal cutting pliers or end cutting pliers can be used to cut the clamps.

Can you crimp wirsbo fittings?

pex crimp rings and fittings with wirsbo. Can I use regular pex fittings and crimp rings with Wirsbo? Yes you can.

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Is wirsbo PEX A?

Wirsbo hePEX is crosslinked polyethylene (PEX-a) pipe that features a patent-pending oxygen-barrier coating technology that makes it ideal for closed-loop hydronic heating and cooling applications. Wirsbo hePEX can be used for hydronic distribution piping as well as potable-plumbing systems.

Can you use rehau fittings on wirsbo pipe?

Rehau does not warrant their pipe when used with the Wirsbo Pex-ring joint and sold against it forever. You can use standard crimp ring fittings on either one, and the Everlock IS usable for both. The expander tools work the same with both lines and are mostly the same tools and do the same thing.

Who makes wirsbo?

TypeJulkinen osakeyhtiöIndustryBuilding materialsFounded1918HeadquartersVantaa, Finland

Is ProPEX PEX-A?

PEX pipe is made by a handful of companies, but the best version I’ve discovered so far is part of a system called ProPEX. It’s a proprietary brand of PEX connections and pipe invented by an international company named Uponor (uponor.ca) and based in Finland.

Is Apollo PEX-A or B?

Apollo offers PEX-A (Expansion PEX) and PEX-B tubing. PEX-A tubing (Expansion PEX) is produced using the Peroxide or Engel method. … PEX-B tubing is produced using the Silane or moisture-cured method.

What does propex mean?

Synthetic Burlap substitute made from Propylene.

When did wirsbo become uponor?

A Swedish company, Wirsbo, became the first company to start selling PEX commercially in Europe in 1972. Uponor acquired Wirsbo in 1988.

Can you use clamps on PEX A?

Using stainless steel pinch clamps, also referred to as ear clamps, are a great way to connect PEX pipe to PEX fittings. Connections made using SS Pinch Clamps with an interlocking design provide the same high integrity connection as a copper crimp ring connection.

Which PEX connection method is best?

PEX-A, which has the most flexible tubing and best freeze- and kink resistance, is ideal for use with kitchen and bath fixtures. PEX-B is slightly less flexible and less freeze-resistant.

Do PEX crimp rings leak?

As with any other pipes, PEX is not prone to leaking. … If you’re using a crimp or clamp connection systems (both being very popular), using brass PEX fittings with copper or stainless steel crimp rings is the most inexpensive method of repairing PEX tubing.

Why is PEX plumbing bad?

Potential chemical leaching is another downside of PEX piping. Due to its chemical composition, the PEX pipe material may leach toxic chemicals including bisphenol (BPA), MTBE, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA), and others.

Where is PEX not allowed?

PEX can’t be installed in high heat areas. You can’t install PEX in high heat areas like near recessed lighting. This also means you can’t connect PEX directly to a hot water heater, but you can use a connecting material to do this.

Do you need a crimper for PEX?

Connections for most PEX supply jobs require a special tool. There are several PEX supply connection methods, but only two affordable enough to be practical for DIYers: crimp rings and cinch clamps. … The only other special tool you need is a scissors-like cutter for the tubing.

Can you use SharkBite on PEX type A?

Many customers and DIY plumbers have asked us about SharkBite fittings. So, do they work? SharkBite does make a coupling that connects PEX-A to PEX-B. However, we don’t recommend using them.

Can I use expansion fittings on PEX B?

PEX B is not expandable and you should never expand the end of a PEX-B pipe. Kink-Resistance – PEX-A has the greatest resistance, PEX-B the lowest. You should never install kinked pipe.

How do you fix a cracked PEX pipe?

The fix is to cut or bend the metal strap away from the pipe so that it can’t happen again. As for the pipe, cutting out the damaged section and replacing it with new pex and Sharkbite fittings. SB fittings don’t require crimping and are available in a variety of configurations.

Are PEX cinch and crimp fittings the same?

The cinch tool works with multiple PEX sizes, unlike the crimp tool that is made for a specific size. Asides for its versatility, the cinch tool is also cheaper than the crimp tool. … Crimp connections consist or a crimp ring, a crimp tool, proper fittings and a go/no-go gauge.

Are PEX crimp and clamp fittings the same?

PEX crimp and PEX clamp connections use the same fittings, normally referred to as “crimp” or “barbed” PEX fittings. … PEX clamps also tend to be easier to remove. Since only a piece of clamp rings must be compressed in order to make a connection, a single clamping tool works with multiple pipe sizes.

Can you crimp SharkBite PEX?

The SharkBite PEX crimp dual tool allows you to make a secure connection to 1/2 In. and 3/4 In. PEX with copper crimp rings. The tool crimps the two most popular sizes with one-tool and no interchangeable dies.

Can you use SharkBite on wirsbo PEX?

SharkBite fittings work with PEX, copper and CPVC, since they all use the same standard tubing diameters, so if you’re modifying or extending an existing system, it is easy to transition from one material to the other.