Are Uponor Pex lines safe for Hot Water Heaters, and how should I address bulging, discoloration, and broken clamps?
Asked by Djen Grooteman 
4 months ago
Last Updated: July 26, 2024
We’ve been dealing with a bunch of plumbing problems lately and have had a few different plumbers come by. Right now, our main issue is the Uponor Pex line connected to our water heater. It’s bulging, changing colors, and the clamps are breaking off from the ceiling.
I’m wondering if it’s okay to use Uponor Pex for the hot water heater connections. What should I do about the bulging and broken clamps? And is the discoloration something to worry about?
I’ve taken matters into my own hands by switching out the old nail clamps for new screw-in C clamps.
No worries at all. This is designed to be buried and the change in color is to be expected due to rust when in contact with hot water.
I was just thinking if they have well water…if they do, they’re fortunate it’s just a little yellow!!! 😂🤣
Ahh, the good old Ohio River water 🤮
Jordan, eww…🤢
That’s why I appreciate my Indiana water…rust and all!
Make sure to have regular blood tests for iron. I never knew that high iron water could cause a variety of health problems, including diabetes. Even if you’re not drinking it, showering in it can affect you… your skin is your largest organ.
Incorrect
Lisa, that’s a really intriguing point. Luckily, I receive regular updates on my bloodwork for other concerns and it’s always been good. I’ll make sure to keep a closer watch on it now. Thank you!
That’s one of the best aspects of pex. It can grow without breaking. We’re replacing all of our plumbing with it. Red and blue varieties. I’ve never come across yellow before.
Lol it was initially easy to understand. I was aware that Pex expands to avoid bursting from freezing… But now it’s starting to be a concern with the heat expansion.
😂 I definitely feel more knowledgeable compared to an hour ago. Haha. I’ve never come across Pex changing colors but I understand that rust can stain items. It clicked for me now. 🤦♀️
If the brand is uponor, there’s a legal issue involving red and blue right now
Thanks for the information, . I’ll check it out and research the brand mentioned.
The yellow tint on the pex indicates the color of the water flowing through. Pex can expand and contract based on temperature changes. Maybe we should prioritize water treatment.
Our water is clear except for the hot water line with that pipe. Even before the Hydroviv filters, it’s clear. Unfiltered hot water is clear too. Thinking we’ll need a new water heater soon, but money is always a factor.
After a water heater pex opaque exit can reveal minerals from heated water. Never seen that urine yellow stain before. Better not drink the water until it’s thoroughly tested for that yellow nasty.
Absolutely
Everything’s fine. The only concern is Alkalinity. But it’s still fine
So, it seems like nobody really wants to address your concerns. The expansion and contraction issue is real, but it shouldn’t be causing clips to break. One solution could be to get a thermal expansion tank installed if there isn’t one already. And if there is one, just make sure that it’s maintaining pressure on the air side of the tank. It’s normal for the Uponor pex to turn yellow. Also, keep in mind that Uponor is currently facing a class-action lawsuit, so you might want to do some research before something drastic happens.
By the way, I work as a plumber.
Do you have any opinions on tankless water heaters? Do I need an expansion tank if I switch to a tankless water heater?
Tankless heaters have their pros and cons. It’s great not having to heat a tank, but it can be frustrating to wait for hot water without a recirculation line. I usually recommend expansion tanks because they help manage temperature fluctuations. If you have a check valve on your cold supply line, an expansion tank is a must.
It’s not Uponor itself that’s under the lawsuit. It’s actually the red and blue pipes. The two-step heating process used for coloring was leading to micro fractures. These pipes are different.
I just mentioned that Uponor is involved in a class action lawsuit. I haven’t looked into the details yet, but it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
I’m aware
That comment really stings. I bought a house in 2021 with faulty polybutylene piping. I ended up shelling out a ton of money to have the entire house replumbed, and the guy used red/blue uponor 🫠🫣.
I hope the pipe is holding up okay, Darla Nicole. It might be helpful to check for batch numbers on the pipe and reach out to someone to see if your pipe is affected. I really hope nothing goes wrong. Are you positive it’s Uponor?
It’s been going fine so far but yeah, he hyped up uponor as the best and promised I’d never face pipe issues again 😩😩
Darla Nicole uponor has had a solid reputation for many years. However, with any relatively new product…..only time will reveal the outcome. Unfortunately, many individuals have been affected.
Similar to Poly-B and Kitec. Both products that experienced failures years later, and on a large scale.
The good news for you is that you’re aware of the issue and can proceed accordingly.
Stay vigilant!
Your expandable pex is strong, with a burst strength similar to a softball. You won’t have to worry about it failing at the fittings. Plus, expandable pex retains its shape better than the crimp-style pex from big box stores.
Consider getting a filter for your water – you might be surprised by its color.
We hooked one up to our water softener, another to our kitchen sink, and a third one to our refrigerator 😅
Make sure you have an expansion tank near your water heater. I’ve come across this situation before; it was caused by rust from old galvanized pipes that had deteriorated, staining the PEX and giving it a rusty color. The PEX involved in the lawsuit was typically red or blue, not the white PEX you have. This installation seems to be lacking proper support for the lines, and the broken clips are likely a result of someone using a hammer incorrectly during installation. It’s usually a mistake made by the installer.
I agree, those clips aren’t the best. They should have used plastic 2 hole straps or what they call Mickey Mouse ears.
The yellow hue in your water heater is the reason health organizations recommend using cold water for cooking in restaurants. Hot water may not be safe.
Why do they boil it to remove contaminants? Just wondering
It’s a different issue, but your water heater doesn’t actually boil water. However, it might introduce contaminants.
‘t forget to check your pressure.
The reason the pipe failed is because of chlorinization. Check out this video by : https://youtu.be/FcHcKvZ3AZE?feature=shared
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Haha, due to expansion. Secure them every 30 inches.
Those clips break constantly. Simply swap them out.
Do you have a recirc line in your system? If so, the best way to prevent the expansion from causing your lines to snake or sag is to install an expansion loop or loops, depending on the length of the run. Those talon clips can be easily replaced. The discoloration may be due to your water quality. Uponor tubing is designed for hot water, but it’s recommended not to exceed 140F. Overall, it’s not something you need to stress about. However, I would be more concerned about the vent on top of your water heater. It doesn’t have a proper rise before a long horizontal run.
Talons snap frequently because they are hammered in. I have noticed the discoloration in several homes, including my own. My best hunch is that it’s due to iron in the water.
Is your water chlorinated? If so, heating it can cause the chlorine to separate more easily and affect your PEX piping.
Oh, I see! Yes, most drinking water is chlorinated. But it is concerning why they would make a product that can fail from chlorination, right?
Can you check the temperature rating specified on the line?
All I have is this.. So not sure. Around 130°F if “B” is 130° and “A” is 120° 🤷
Ensure there is a minimum clearance of 18″ between the top of the water heater and the PEX. Some tank manufacturers may require even greater distances, such as 2 to 3 feet.
I actually didn’t know about this when I set up ours. Luckily, it has been functioning well for years. Do you know why it requires a 2′ clearance? And can it be copper or galvanized?
Pex tends to expand when it gets heated, and the metal fittings on the water heater are usually hotter than the water itself. This could lead to pex failure if connected near the water heater.
That makes sense. Thanks for explaining. It seems like a new project has come up.