Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?

I’m right there with you on being cautious about what goes behind finished walls. A few years back, I helped my neighbor redo his bathroom and he insisted on push-to-connect for everything, even the stuff behind tile. Fast forward two winters and he had a slow leak that ruined a bunch of drywall. Ever since, I stick with crimped PEX or copper for anything I can’t easily get to. It’s a little more work, but I sleep better knowing I won’t have to rip out tile down the road.

- Totally get where you're coming from.
- I’ve seen way too many horror stories with push-to-connect, especially when you can’t see the fittings later.
- For me, crimped PEX is the sweet spot - cheaper than copper, but still feels secure if you do it right.
- That said, I’ve got a buddy who swears by copper and says PEX will never last as long... not sure I buy it, but I get the argument.
- Either way, I’d never use push-fit behind tile or drywall. Just not worth the risk or the headache if something goes sideways down the line.

I hear you on the push-to-connect stuff - seen too many callbacks from those failing behind walls. Crimped PEX has been solid for me, but I still get nervous about rodents chewing through it in some older houses. Copper’s got that “forever” vibe, but man, the price and labor... not always worth it unless you’re dealing with super high temps or something. Curious - has anyone actually had PEX fail from age, not just bad installs? I keep hearing it won’t last, but haven’t seen real-world proof yet.

Copper’s tough to beat for peace of mind, but yeah, the price tag these days is wild. I’ve got a few rentals with PEX that are pushing 15 years - no issues so far, and that’s with some pretty hard water. Biggest headache I’ve had was a mouse chewing through a line in an old crawlspace... not fun. Haven’t seen PEX just give out from age yet, but I do wonder what it’ll look like in another decade or two. For showers, unless you’re running steam or something crazy, PEX seems to hold up just fine.

- Can’t argue with copper’s track record, but yeah, the price is just nuts now.
- PEX is tempting for the cost and flexibility, but I do get a little nervous about the long-term unknowns.
- Had a plumber tell me once that UV exposure during install can mess with PEX lifespan. Not sure how much that matters in a shower wall, but it stuck with me.
- The mouse thing is real... had a similar issue in a basement. Copper isn’t immune either, but rodents seem to love chewing on plastic more.
- Water quality’s a big factor. If you’ve got super acidic or chlorinated water, copper can pit out too, so it’s not invincible.
- For a walk-in shower, unless you’re doing something fancy with high temps or pressure, PEX seems fine. I’d just make sure whoever installs it knows what they’re doing - bad crimps or cheap fittings are where most problems start.
- I do wish there was more info on how PEX holds up at 30+ years. Feels like we’re all kind of beta testing it right now...

- Totally get the nerves about PEX’s long-term track record. I’m in the same boat - feels like a bit of a leap of faith.
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“bad crimps or cheap fittings are where most problems start.”

I’ve seen a lot of debate about PEX vs copper, and honestly, I’m still not convinced there’s a clear winner. PEX is definitely easier to work with, but I’ve run into a few jobs where the fittings were questionable - usually when someone tried to save a buck on materials. Copper’s more predictable, but it’s not immune to issues either. Had a call last year where a mouse chewed right through a copper line in an attic... didn’t expect that.

Curious if anyone’s actually had a PEX failure from age alone? Most of what I see is installation-related, not the pipe itself breaking down. Makes me wonder if the long-term worries are more about bad installs than the material. Anyone ever seen old PEX (like 20+ years) holding up fine?

I’ve had the same debate in my own head every time I look at a plumbing project. I get the appeal of PEX - cheaper, easier to snake through tight spots, and you don’t need to torch anything (which always makes me nervous in old houses). But I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a bit of a gamble with PEX if you don’t know exactly what brand or fittings you’re getting. I’ve seen some horror stories on forums about off-brand fittings cracking after just a few years.

On the other hand, copper isn’t perfect either. Like you said, rodents can chew through it, and I’ve actually had pinhole leaks pop up in older copper lines from corrosion. That said, I haven’t personally seen PEX fail just from age - usually it’s bad crimps or someone using the wrong connectors. My neighbor’s house has PEX from the late ‘90s and it’s still going strong, but he was picky about using top-shelf materials.

If you’re like me and want to avoid future headaches, I’d say go with PEX but don’t cheap out on the fittings or tools. And maybe keep an eye on any spots where sunlight could hit the pipe - UV can mess with it over time. Copper’s great if you’re not worried about cost or doing a lot of soldering, but for most bathroom renos these days, PEX seems like the safer bet as long as you do it right.

I hear you on the torch thing - nothing like sweating copper in a crawlspace to make you rethink your life choices. I’ve done both, and honestly, PEX feels like cheating (in a good way). The only thing that bugs me is the plastic waste. I try to keep my renos as green as possible, and copper’s at least recyclable. But then again, if you mess up soldering and have to redo joints, that’s wasted material too.

Funny story: I once had a mouse chew through a copper line behind our kitchen wall. Didn’t even know they could do that until water started dripping through the ceiling... At least with PEX, rodents seem less interested, but maybe that’s just luck on my part.

Curious if anyone’s looked into the environmental impact of PEX vs copper? I’ve read mixed things - PEX uses less energy to manufacture but isn’t easily recyclable. Copper’s got a bigger footprint up front but lasts forever if you don’t have acidic water or hungry mice. Anyone ever try those new “eco” PEX alternatives or is that just marketing fluff?

Man, sweating copper in a crawlspace is basically a rite of passage - nothing like burning your knuckles and questioning your life decisions. I’m with you on PEX feeling like a cheat code. The plastic waste bugs me too, but honestly, after fishing out corroded copper from a 60s rental (and finding mouse nests), I’ll take the easy install. Never tried the “eco” PEX stuff - feels like greenwashing to me, but maybe I’m just cynical. Copper’s great until you get pinhole leaks from bad water or, apparently, mouse teeth... didn’t know they had it out for plumbing too.

I hear you on the “rite of passage” - my knees still ache thinking about the last time I had to sweat copper under a rental. PEX does feel like cheating, but honestly, I’ve had fewer callbacks since switching over. The plastic waste nags at me too, but the time saved is hard to ignore. Has anyone actually had long-term issues with PEX fittings or connections? I keep hearing about potential failures, but in practice, I haven’t seen much. Wondering if it’s just internet horror stories or if I’m due for a rude awakening down the line...

Has anyone actually had long-term issues with PEX fittings or connections? I keep hearing about potential failures, but in practice, I haven’t seen much. Wondering if it’s just internet horror stories or if I’m due for a rude awakening down the line...

I get where you’re coming from. The first time I swapped out copper for PEX on a job, I kept checking the joints every week like I was waiting for something to go wrong. Old habits die hard, I guess. In my experience, most of the issues with PEX seem to come down to installation - if someone gets lazy with the crimp rings or doesn’t seat the pipe all the way, that’s when you see leaks. But honestly, I’ve seen more pinhole leaks in old copper than actual PEX failures.

That said, I did run into a weird one last year: a house where the PEX had been exposed to sunlight during storage before install. Couple years later, some of those lines started getting brittle and cracking near the fittings. Not catastrophic, but enough to make me double-check how my supplier stores their stock now. Makes me wonder how many of those “PEX horror stories” are really about bad handling or shortcuts.

I do still worry about rodents chewing through it, though. Haven’t had it happen myself (knock on wood), but a buddy of mine had to redo a crawlspace after mice got into the lines. Copper’s not immune either, but at least they don’t seem to like it as much.

Curious if anyone’s had issues with those push-to-connect fittings over time? I’ve used them in tight spots but always feel a little uneasy leaving them buried behind tile... Maybe that’s just me being paranoid after too many years chasing leaks in walls.

I’m right there with you on the paranoia front - every time I hear a weird drip in the walls, I picture a geyser shooting out of a PEX joint. But honestly, I haven’t had any real trouble (yet). Did my shower swap last winter, used PEX since I figured if it’s good enough for half the new builds around here, it’s probably fine for my place.

The only drama I had was convincing my dad it wasn’t “cheap plastic junk.” He still swears copper is the only thing that’ll last, but I think he just likes soldering. My main worry is those push-to-connect fittings too - used one behind tile and now I get nervous every time I take a hot shower. Guess we’ll find out in a few years if that was a mistake...

I totally get the nerves about push-to-connects behind tile - once it’s sealed up, you just hope for the best. Honestly, though, PEX has come a long way. I’ve swapped out a few old copper lines for PEX in my own place, mostly for the flexibility and fewer joints to leak. I do a quick check on exposed fittings every season just for peace of mind. If it helps, my neighbor’s had PEX for over a decade with zero issues, and he’s not exactly gentle on his plumbing. Sometimes the old-school mindset sticks around, but I’d say you’re on solid ground with your choice.

Here’s how I look at it: copper’s tough, but it’s a pain (and expensive) to work with, especially if you’re not a pro with a torch. I went PEX for my bathroom reno last year - saved a chunk of change and didn’t have to mess with soldering in tight spots. I still get a bit twitchy about those push-to-connects behind tile, but I used crimp rings where I could just for peace of mind. If you’re careful with the install and double-check everything before sealing up, it’s probably safer than we give it credit for. Still, I keep a close eye on my water bill... just in case.

I get where you’re coming from with PEX - way easier to snake through weird corners, and the price difference is no joke. But I keep circling back to the environmental side of things. Copper’s not perfect (mining’s rough on the planet), but at least it’s fully recyclable and doesn’t break down into microplastics over time. I read somewhere that PEX can leach chemicals if your water gets super hot, though I’m not sure how much of a real-world issue that is for most folks.

I did a kitchen update last year and stuck with copper, mostly because I had some leftover pipe and didn’t want to toss it. Soldering was a pain, yeah, but once it’s in, it feels pretty much bombproof. I guess my worry with PEX is what happens 20-30 years down the line - will it hold up as well as copper? Or are we just kicking the can down the road for future repairs? Plus, if there’s ever a fire (knock on wood), copper isn’t going to melt or give off fumes.

Not saying PEX is bad - honestly, if I was doing a big reno on a tight budget, I’d be tempted too. But sometimes I wonder if we’re trading short-term convenience for long-term headaches. Maybe that’s just me being old-school or overthinking it... but I do like knowing exactly what’s behind my walls.

You’re not overthinking it - those are legit concerns. Copper’s definitely the gold standard for longevity, and you’re right about the fire safety angle. I’ve seen 40-year-old copper lines still going strong, just a bit of green on the outside. PEX is great for speed and cost, but I do wonder about the long-term, especially with hot water lines and if there’s ever a recall down the road. No shame in sticking with what you trust, especially if you’ve got the skills to solder. Sometimes “old-school” just means proven.

I get where you’re coming from - copper just feels solid, like you know what you’re getting. I grew up in a house with copper pipes and my folks never had to touch them, even after decades. But when we did our bathroom reno last year, I went with PEX for the shower lines. Honestly, it was mostly about the budget and the fact that I didn’t want to mess with soldering in a cramped space. The flexibility made it way easier to snake around weird corners.

That said, I did have a moment of doubt after reading about some PEX brands having issues with UV exposure or certain chemicals in the water. Made me double-check that everything was code-compliant and tucked away from sunlight. So far, no regrets, but I do keep an eye out for news on recalls or anything like that… just in case.

If you’re comfortable soldering and don’t mind spending a bit more, copper’s hard to beat for peace of mind. But for me, PEX was a compromise between cost and convenience. Just depends on what matters most in your situation.

The flexibility made it way easier to snake around weird corners.

That’s exactly why I went with PEX in my last update. I get the nostalgia for copper, but honestly, when you’re counting every dollar and dealing with tight spaces, PEX just makes sense. I did stress about the whole UV thing too - ended up wrapping the exposed bits just to be safe. For me, the cost savings outweighed the “old school” peace of mind. Copper’s great, but not sure it’s worth double the price unless you’ve got money to burn.

Copper’s solid, but I’ve seen way more folks run into headaches with sweating joints in tight spots - especially if you’re not used to it. PEX is just easier to work with, and yeah, those savings add up fast. Only thing I’d watch for is making sure you’ve got good support at bends so it doesn’t kink over time. UV wrap’s smart too; seen a few lines get brittle when folks skip that step. For most home jobs, PEX is hard to beat unless you’re restoring something historic or really want that “forever” feel.