To straighten a PEX coil for easier installation, you can use a simple manual method involving unrolling the pipe and applying pressure against a solid surface.
Effectively straightening PEX pipe from a coil makes plumbing projects much smoother, reducing frustration and ensuring a neater finish. While PEX is flexible, it retains a "memory" of its coiled shape. The key is to gently counteract this memory as you prepare to run the pipe.
Simple Steps to Straighten PEX
Based on practical methods, the primary way to straighten coiled PEX involves using the pipe itself and a nearby structural element.
Here's the process:
- Begin Unrolling: Start unrolling the PEX coil from the end on the outside of the roll. This is usually the easiest way to access the pipe as it comes off the coil.
- Use a Solid Surface: As you are unrolling the PEX, position the section you are working on so that the bent side is pressed against a door jam or wall stud.
- Apply Pressure While Unrolling: Straighten the pipe as you are unrolling it by applying just enough pressure against the bend using the door jam or wall stud.
- Continue the Process: Slowly and carefully continue this process along the length of the pipe you need, applying consistent, gentle pressure to help the PEX relax into a straighter form.
By applying this gentle pressure as you unroll, the PEX will straighten just enough for neat and easy installation. Avoid forcing or kinking the pipe, as this can damage it.
Why Straighten PEX?
- Easier Running: Straight pipe is significantly easier to run through joists, studs, and around obstacles.
- Neater Appearance: Results in a cleaner, more professional-looking installation.
- Reduced Stress: Less tension in the pipe can potentially reduce stress on fittings.
While specialized tools exist for straightening PEX (like PEX straighteners), the manual method described is effective for many situations and requires no additional equipment beyond standard building materials.
