I had a tenant once who swore she heard “scratching” behind the tub wall, and sure enough, mice had chewed right through the PEX. Ended up redoing that section with copper, but man, fishing it through old framing was a nightmare. I get the appeal of PEX for tricky jobs, but I’m always a little suspicious of how it’ll hold up long-term, especially in older places where critters are just part of the deal. Stainless flex is a pain, but sometimes it’s the lesser evil.
Copper definitely feels like the safer bet in older houses, especially with critters around. I get why PEX is popular—it’s just so much easier to run—but those stories about mice chewing through it make me nervous too. Fishing copper through old framing is a pain, but at least you know it’ll last. Stainless flex is awkward to work with, but sometimes you just have to pick your battles, right?
I get the copper argument, but honestly, PEX with a metal sleeve or conduit can be a solid workaround for the critter issue. Less hassle snaking it through tight spots, and the fittings are way easier to deal with if you ever need to make changes later. Copper’s great, but I’m not sure it’s worth the extra labor unless you’ve got a real rodent problem.
PEX with a metal sleeve or conduit can be a solid workaround for the critter issue. Less hassle snaking it through tight spots, and the fittings are way easier to deal with if you ever need to make changes later.
Couldn’t agree more about the hassle factor. I’ve swapped out a few tubs for showers in my rentals, and wrestling copper through 1950s framing is like trying to thread a needle with oven mitts on. PEX just slides right in, and if you ever need to reroute or fix something after a tenant’s “creative” plumbing adventure, it’s way less of a headache.
I used to be a copper die-hard, but after one too many late-night leaks (and one memorable squirrel incident), I’m all about PEX with a little armor. The only time I’d still go copper is if I was worried about resale value in a high-end place, or if the local code inspector is old-school and gets twitchy about plastic pipes.
Honestly, unless you’re running a rodent sanctuary, PEX with a sleeve is the way to go. Just my two cents from the trenches.
Copper vs. PEX always seems to come down to how much you enjoy crawling around in tight spaces and dealing with surprise “critter guests.” I laughed at this:
wrestling copper through 1950s framing is like trying to thread a needle with oven mitts on
That’s exactly it. Here’s where I’m at after a few projects:
- PEX is just so much easier to work with, especially if you’re retrofitting. It bends, it flexes, and you don’t need to haul out the torch or worry about setting off the smoke alarm (ask me how I know...).
- The metal sleeve idea is solid for peace of mind. I’ve had mice chew through insulation before, but not metal.
- Fittings are a breeze compared to sweating copper joints. SharkBites or crimp rings—take your pick, but both are way less hassle than flux and solder.
- About resale value: I get the point about high-end places, but honestly, most buyers don’t even look behind the walls unless there’s a problem. If it’s done right and up to code, PEX doesn’t seem to scare folks off anymore.
- Local code inspectors can be wildcards. Mine once gave me a lecture about “the good old days” of lead pipes (seriously), so I just double-check what they want before I start.
One thing though—I did have a plumber warn me that if you go PEX all the way up to the shower valve, make sure you use proper supports. He said he’s seen valves get wiggly over time if the PEX isn’t anchored well enough behind tile.
I used to think copper was “forever,” but after seeing it pinhole from bad water in one house and then getting gnawed by something furry in another, I’m not convinced anymore. At least if PEX gets chewed, it’s a quick fix—not an entire wall demo.
Still not sure what I’d do in a 100-year-old house with funky framing...but for anything post-war, PEX with some armor just makes life easier.