P1 Construction Restroom Remodel Puts PEX Pipe in the Spotlight

Did you have an "en suite" bathroom in your college dorm room? For some, bathroom access in the dorm means walking down the hall to a shared bathroom.

For students living in Lewis Hall at the University of Kansas, the luxury of in-room lavatories is a nice perk. And P1 has made it better - and safer - for students to use those bathrooms with a recent restroom remodel featuring PEX and PVC pipe.

The KU Lewis Hall Restroom Remodel project covered the demolition and remodel of 93 dormitory restrooms as well as installation of kitchen sinks. P1 also replaced horizontal and vertical waste lines, which provides improved drainage efficiency and helps eliminate future leaks and backups.

Pictured, above: shower rough-in "before"; completed shower; kitchen drop-in

The star of the show is PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipe, a flexible, durable, and corrosion-resistant plastic piping used for hot and cold potable water plumbing, as well as heating systems.

It is widely used in residential construction due to its ease of installation, long lifespan, ability to reduce water noise, and resistance to freezing, making it a popular alternative to copper, but its use for commercial projects is growing.

P1 used PEX-a, a more flexible, kinking-resistant version that uses expansive, high-flow fittings, making it ideal for colder climates and professional/commercial installations.

Project Manager Todd Mihalchik says an installation of PEX pipe in this quantity, in the Kansas City metro area, is new for P1.

"We've installed smaller amounts, but this is the first time we installed this much PEX," he said.

The waste lines used PVC pipe, with an additional safeguard: Hilti firestop collars.

Pictured above, left: PEX-a plumbing rough-in; Right: Hilti firestop collar on PVC pipe

The firestop collar is a specialized, engineered device designed to seal combustible pipe and cable penetrations through fire-rated walls and floors.

It consists of a metal housing with an inner material that expands upon exposure to heat, creating a fire, smoke, and gas barrier to prevent fire spread.

"The collars are designed for combustible pipes - like the PVC used on this project - as well as cable bundles in concrete, drywall, and masonry," Todd added.

P1 has been a trusted partner with the University of Kansas for decades, continuing to bring the facilities that serve students and faculty to life!

Pictured above, from left: Justin Sorem, Project Engineer; Todd Mihalchik, Project Manager; Derek Hout, 441 Journeyman; Mike Farve, 441 Foreman; Ryan Newell, 441 Foreman; Josh Hout, 441 Journeyman