How to Bend PEX Tubing

By
Lee Wallender
Lee Wallender
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 12 years.
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Updated on 11/10/21
Reviewed by
Richard Epstein
Reviewed by Richard Epstein
Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies.
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Fact checked by
Jessica Wrubel
Fact checked by Jessica Wrubel
Jessica Wrubel has an accomplished background as a writer and copy editor, working for various publications, newspapers and in public libraries assisting with reference, research and special projects. In addition to her journalism experience, she has been educating on health and wellness topics for over 15 years in and outside of the classroom.
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Project Overview
  • Working Time: 3 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $5

One of the many benefits of using PEX tubing for plumbing projects is that it is so simple to use. PEX is inexpensive, cuts and joins easily, and requires few special tools. PEX tubing is also very easy to bend. To help PEX tubing make turns, you have a choice of three methods: 90-degree elbows, bend supports, and clamps.

PEX 90-Degree Elbow

An elbow is an L-shaped fitting that helps to create a 90-degree bend in PEX pipes. An elbow doesn't bend the PEX tubing itself. Rather, two straight sections of PEX tubing are connected to a 90-degree, L-shaped connector.

Push-fit 90-degree elbows allow you to push the PEX tubes straight into the elbow, with no other tools directly involved (you may need a PEX cutter and a PEX removal tool, however). An alternative is the crimp-fit joint system. The PEX tubes are pushed over a brass fitting. Brass rings are crimped over the ends of the PEX tubing with a special tool.

PEX Bend Support

PEX bend supports are 1/4-turn metal or plastic devices that hold the PEX in place for a 90-degree turn. Some supports have nails that allow you to secure the support to the surface below.

Bend supports generally bring the PEX to its tightest allowable 90-degree turn without folding or crimping. Turn radii differ according to PEX pipe diameter. For 1/2-inch PEX pipe, the tightest radius is usually 5 inches.

PEX Clamps

PEX clamps are individual plastic clips with attached nails. The clamps are nailed over the top of the PEX pipe. They allow for a range of turns, from tight turns similar to those produced by bend supports to wide, sweeping turns.

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What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Heat gun
  • Indelible marker
  • Straight edge or Speed Square
  • Hammer
  • Crimper tool

Materials

  • PEX tubing
  • Bend support
  • Push-fit or crimp-fit elbow
  • PEX clamps

Instructions

Bend PEX With a 90-Degree Elbow

Lee Wallender

  1. Clean the Tube Ends

    Tube ends should be square-ended, clean, and free of plastic burrs. Clean off the ends with a cloth.

  2. Mark the Tubes

    If using push-fit connectors, use an indelible marker to mark the insertion or stop point on the PEX tubes for the connector. Fittings with different brands may have different insertion depths. Consult the pipe insertion depth chart for your brand. Be sure to mark both tubes.

  3. Push the Tube Into One Side of the Elbow

    Hold the elbow in one hand and the tube in the other hand. Push the tube into the elbow. You must push in a single, firm motion. Because of push-fit connectors' internal barbs, the tube cannot be pulled out by hand. You will need to use a special remover tool.

  4. Push the Tube Into the Other Side of the Elbow

    Complete the joint by pushing the other PEX tube into the other side of the elbow.

Bend PEX With a Bend Support

Lee Wallender

  1. Warm the PEX Tube

    Though PEX tubing bends well, it can crimp if it is bent improperly. Start by warming up the PEX tubing, either by letting it sit in a warm room or by using a heat gun at the lowest temperature setting.

  2. Push Into One Side of the Bend Support

    Push the PEX tubing into one side of the bend support. Work quickly to maintain the pliability of the tubing.

  3. Bend the PEX Tubing

    Very slowly bend the PEX tubing until it matches the curve of the bend support. If you bend too quickly, you will crimp and fold the tubing.

  4. Push Into Other Side of the Bend Support

    When the tubing curve matches that of the bend support, push the tubing into the support until it clicks into place.

Bend PEX With Clamps

Lee Wallender

  1. Examine the Nailing Surface

    When bending PEX with clamps, the nailing surface must be wood. This wood must be flat and sturdy enough to prevent the nails from pulling out. When PEX is initially bent with clamps, it places stress on the clamps.

  2. Mark the Intended Curve

    With a pencil and a straight edge or Speed Square, mark the intended curve of the PEX tubing. In most cases, you can mark the angle out with two straight lines rather than creating a curve. This makes it easier for you to determine the angle, as well.

  3. Nail Down One Clamp

    On one side of the curve, nail down a PEX clamp to the board. Be sure not to break the plastic sleeve on the clamp. Slide the PEX tube into the clamp.

    Tip

    If you are continuing an existing pipe rather than starting a new one, the clamp is nailed down over the pipe.

  4. Bend the PEX Tube

    Slowly bend the PEX tube to the intended position. To prevent stress from pulling out the first clamp, you may need to hold that end of the tube in place.

  5. Nail the Second Clamp

    Lay the second clamp over the PEX tube. Nail it down. Release your hold on the tube only when the clamp is firmly in place.