Had a mouse chew through PEX in my uncle’s place last winter—tiny leak, but it made a mess before we caught it. I get why folks like PEX for tight spots, but honestly, I’m always a bit nervous about rodents. Copper’s a pain to sweat sometimes, but at least critters leave it alone. If you go PEX, I’d seriously consider running it through conduit anywhere it’s exposed... just gives me more peace of mind.
Copper’s definitely got the edge when it comes to rodents, no argument there. But I’ve seen a lot of PEX installs hold up just fine, even in some pretty sketchy crawlspaces. Here’s where I’d push back a bit:
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“If you go PEX, I’d seriously consider running it through conduit anywhere it’s exposed... just gives me more peace of mind.”
Conduit’s great, but it can get fiddly and adds cost. If you’re not dealing with a known rodent problem, sometimes it’s overkill—especially if most of your lines are behind drywall or in ceilings.
- PEX is a lifesaver for tight retrofits or awkward runs. Less risk of leaks at joints, and if something does go wrong, repairs are usually a lot quicker than sweating copper.
- I’ve actually seen mice gnaw on old copper pipes for nesting material, believe it or not. Didn’t get through, but left some marks. Nothing’s totally critter-proof.
- If you’re really worried, maybe focus on sealing up entry points and keeping food sources away from plumbing runs. Sometimes that’s a bigger win than just switching materials.
Just my two cents—there’s tradeoffs either way. I lean PEX for speed and flexibility, but I get the copper loyalty.
Had a similar debate with my partner when we redid our bathroom last year. We went PEX, partly because our old copper had some pinhole leaks from who-knows-what. I worried about critters too, but honestly, the bigger issue was tracking down where they were getting in. Once we sealed up a few gaps behind the cabinets, the scratching noises stopped and the pipes have been fine. Not saying PEX is perfect, but it’s been way less hassle for us than I expected.
I worried about critters too, but honestly, the bigger issue was tracking down where they were getting in.
Yeah, I hear you on the critters—my attic sounded like a rodent rave until I finally found their secret entrance. As for PEX, I was skeptical at first (old habits die hard), but it’s been surprisingly chill. No leaks, and way easier to snake through tight spots than copper. Only downside? My dad still gives me grief for “using plastic.”
Funny, my uncle’s the same way about PEX—he calls it “fancy garden hose.” I get why people are loyal to copper, but honestly, wrestling that stuff around joists is a pain. Have you noticed any difference in water taste or temp with PEX? I keep hearing mixed things, but haven’t really noticed much myself. Wonder if it’s just one of those old-school myths...