Had a similar back-and-forth with my dad when we swapped out his old tub for a shower. He’s old school and swears by copper, but after sweating pipes in a cramped wall cavity once, I was ready to try something else. PEX made the reroute way less stressful—just fed it through the joists and clipped it in place. Didn’t have to worry about torching anything or dealing with old flux stains.
One thing I noticed, though: you really have to watch how tight you bend it around corners. If you kink it, you’re starting over with a new piece. We used those plastic bend supports in the tricky spots, which helped a lot. Also, labeling hot and cold lines before closing up the wall saved us some confusion later.
I get why people trust copper—it’s been around forever—but for remodels, especially in tight spaces, PEX just makes life easier. Just double-check local code; some places still want copper for certain runs, which can be a pain.
Copper’s definitely got that “set it and forget it” reputation, but I’ve run into my share of pinhole leaks over the years—especially in older homes with questionable water quality. PEX is just so much faster to work with, but I do wonder about long-term durability. Some folks say rodents can chew through it if you’ve got any critter issues in the walls. Ever had to deal with that, or heard of it happening?
Also, curious if you used crimp rings or those push-to-connect fittings for your install. I’ve seen debates about which holds up better over time, especially if there’s any movement in the framing.
I keep hearing about rodents chewing through PEX, but honestly, I think it’s one of those things that gets blown out of proportion. I mean, if you’ve got a mouse with a taste for plastic, you’re probably dealing with bigger issues than just your plumbing. In my place, the only thing gnawing on pipes is my wallet every time I look at copper prices.
PEX is just so much faster to work with, but I do wonder about long-term durability.
I get the concern, but I’ve had PEX in my last two bathroom renos and it’s held up fine—no leaks, no weird smells, nothing. As for fittings, I went with crimp rings because those push-to-connect ones are way pricier and I’m not made of money. Plus, crimp rings feel more “permanent” to me. Maybe it’s just psychological.
If you’re worried about movement in the framing, just make sure you use those little plastic supports or clamps. Keeps everything snug and less likely to wiggle loose over time. Copper might be classic, but my back (and bank account) vote PEX every time.
Copper Still Has Its Place (Even If My Wallet Disagrees)
Copper might be classic, but my back (and bank account) vote PEX every time.
I get where you’re coming from—PEX is a breeze to install and way easier on the budget. But I’ll admit, I’m still a bit old-school when it comes to plumbing, especially for something like a walk-in shower. There’s just something about copper that feels more “set it and forget it” to me. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve seen 40-year-old copper pipes come out of walls looking almost brand new.
The rodent thing might be overblown, but I’ve actually had mice chew through PEX in a rental property I own. It was a pain to fix, and while it’s not super common, it does happen. With copper, you don’t have to worry about that at all. Plus, copper is recyclable and doesn’t leach microplastics into the water supply—something that matters to me as someone who tries to keep things eco-friendly around the house.
That said, I totally get the appeal of PEX for DIY jobs. The flexibility is great, and you can snake it through tight spaces without having to torch anything or deal with flux fumes. But if you’re thinking long-term durability and environmental impact, copper still has some advantages. It’s not just about tradition—it’s about knowing exactly what’s in your walls for decades to come.
I guess it comes down to priorities: cost and convenience vs. longevity and sustainability. For my last bathroom reno, I actually did a hybrid—copper for the main lines and PEX for the runs to fixtures. Best of both worlds? Maybe. At least my conscience (and my pipes) are clear... even if my wallet took a hit.
Copper Is Great, But PEX Isn’t Just About Cost
But if you’re thinking long-term durability and environmental impact, copper still has some advantages. It’s not just about tradition—it’s about knowing exactly what’s in your walls for decades to come.
I get the nostalgia for copper, and I totally respect wanting to do things “the right way,” but I’m not convinced copper is always the best choice for a walk-in shower—especially in an older house like mine. I’ve been reading up on this a lot since buying my place last year (and discovering just how much can go wrong behind the walls). The thing that keeps coming up is that copper isn’t immune to problems either. My neighbor had a pinhole leak in his copper line from corrosion, and it was a nightmare to track down. Apparently, water chemistry can really mess with copper over time, especially if you’ve got acidic water or any stray electrical currents.
The rodent thing with PEX does freak me out a little, but honestly, I feel like if you’ve got mice chewing through your pipes, you’ve probably got bigger issues to deal with anyway. Maybe that’s naive? Still, I’d rather deal with patching a section of PEX than having to cut out and solder new copper in a tight spot. The idea of using a torch inside my walls makes me nervous—one slip and suddenly you’re dealing with way more than just plumbing.
On the eco side, I keep seeing arguments both ways. Copper is recyclable, sure, but mining it isn’t exactly gentle on the planet. And PEX doesn’t seem to leach anything dangerous as long as you’re using stuff rated for potable water (though who knows what we’ll find out in 20 years). For me, the flexibility and speed of PEX are huge—especially since I’m learning as I go and don’t have pro tools lying around.
I guess what bugs me is this idea that copper is always “set it and forget it.” Maybe that was true when houses were built differently or water quality was more consistent? These days, nothing seems truly maintenance-free. If I can make repairs easier on myself down the road—even if it means replacing a run of PEX every decade or two—I’ll take that tradeoff.
Hybrid setup sounds smart though. Maybe that’s the sweet spot for folks who want peace of mind without going broke...