My old man used to swear copper made his coffee taste better—never mind the fact he brewed it in a 30-year-old percolator. I’ve swapped a bunch of lines to PEX, and honestly, can’t say I’ve noticed a taste difference. Temp holds steady too. Only thing I notice is my back hurts less after installs...
Funny you mention the old percolator—my dad was convinced copper pipes made everything taste “cleaner,” but I’ve never really noticed a difference either. PEX is just easier on the body, especially in tight crawlspaces or when you’re running long lines for a shower conversion. Ever had issues with PEX fittings behind tile? I’ve seen folks worry about access, but I haven’t run into any real problems yet. Curious if anyone’s actually had a leak after install, or if it’s just old-school paranoia.
I’m with you on the copper vs. PEX debate—never noticed a taste difference, and honestly, I’d rather not wrestle with rigid pipe in a crawlspace if I don’t have to. I did stress a bit about putting PEX behind tile, but after two years, no leaks or issues. The fittings seem solid if you use the right crimper and double-check everything. I get why old-timers worry, but sometimes it feels like nostalgia more than real risk. For the price and ease, PEX wins for me, especially when the budget’s tight.
Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?
When we redid our main bathroom last year, I was torn between sticking with copper or trying PEX for the new shower lines. Honestly, I grew up in a house with copper everything, and my dad used to swear by it—he’d go on about how you could “hear” if there was a problem just by tapping the pipe. But when I started looking into the environmental side of things, PEX seemed like a solid choice. Less mining, less energy to produce... plus, it’s just so much easier to snake around weird corners.
I had some of the same nerves about burying PEX behind tile, especially since we went with big slabs and I really didn’t want to have to rip one off if something went wrong. But after talking it through with a plumber friend (who’s seen his share of both), he convinced me that as long as you use quality fittings and don’t cheap out on the crimper tool, you’re golden. We double-checked every connection before closing up the walls, and a year later, not a single drip.
The one thing I do miss is that satisfying feeling of sweating copper joints—there’s something kind of meditative about it. But honestly? Not having to crawl around with a torch in tight spaces was worth it. And cost-wise, PEX let us put more into eco-friendly fixtures instead.
If anything does go wrong down the line, I might eat my words... but for now, no regrets at all. Copper’s great for certain jobs, but for quick retrofits or awkward spaces like behind a new shower wall? PEX gets my vote every time.
Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?
I totally get missing the whole copper “sweating” ritual—my uncle used to treat it like some ancient art form. But after wrestling with copper under my crawlspace (spiders included, no thanks), I’m all about PEX now. The flexibility is a game changer, especially in old houses where nothing is ever straight. I was skeptical at first too, but three years in and not a single leak. Only downside? No more dramatic torch stories to tell at family gatherings...