Copper’s definitely got its perks, but I’ve seen my fair share of pinhole leaks over the years—especially in older homes with questionable water quality. PEX is a breeze to run, no doubt, but critters do seem to love chewing on it if it’s not protected. I usually recommend running PEX inside conduit or at least sleeving it where it’s exposed. Makes a world of difference for longevity and future repairs. Just don’t forget to use proper supports and avoid tight bends—seen too many kinks cause headaches down the line.
Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?
PEX is a breeze to run, no doubt, but critters do seem to love chewing on it if it’s not protected. I usually recommend running PEX inside conduit or at least sleeving it where it’s exposed.
That’s spot on about critters and PEX. I’ve pulled out more than a few chewed-up lines from crawlspaces—mice seem to think it’s a snack bar if you leave it unprotected. Conduit or even just a cheap sleeve can save you a ton of headaches down the road. I’d add that if you’re running PEX anywhere near an attic or unfinished basement, it’s worth checking for UV exposure too. Even a little sunlight through a vent can make PEX brittle over time.
Copper’s great for longevity, but like you mentioned, water quality is the wildcard. I’ve seen pinhole leaks pop up in less than 10 years when the water’s acidic or has high chloramine levels. If you’re in an area with questionable water, I’d lean toward PEX, but only if you’re careful about how you install it.
One thing I don’t see mentioned much—if you’re switching out a tub for a shower, you might need to reroute lines or add new branches. PEX is way easier for that kind of work, especially in tight spots or if you’re dealing with old framing that doesn’t give you much room to maneuver. Just make sure you use the right fittings—don’t cheap out on those, or you’ll regret it later.
And yeah, those kinks... I’ve had to redo more than one run because someone got impatient and forced a bend. If you’re not using bend supports, keep those curves gentle. It’s tempting to try and snake it around corners, but it’ll bite you later.
If you’re set on copper, just budget some extra time for sweating joints and make sure you’ve got access for repairs down the line. But for most retrofits like this, PEX is hard to beat—just don’t treat it like garden hose and expect it to last forever.
Just make sure you use the right fittings—don’t cheap out on those, or you’ll regret it later.
That’s the truth. I learned that lesson the hard way during my first solo job—thought I could get away with some off-brand crimp rings and ended up chasing leaks for hours. Never again.
I’ve also noticed PEX can be a bit noisy if it’s not secured well, especially when someone turns on the shower fast. It’ll slap against studs or joists and make you think there’s a plumbing ghost in the walls. A few extra clamps go a long way.
Copper does have that “set it and forget it” vibe, but like you said, water chemistry is a gamble. Around here, we’ve got pretty hard water, so I’ve seen scale build up inside copper lines over time. Not a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind if your area’s similar.
One thing I’d add—if you’re working in an older house, sometimes the framing is just too tight for rigid pipe without tearing things up. PEX really shines there. Just don’t rush those bends or you’ll be redoing them like I did... twice in one day.
- Agree on the noise—PEX does rattle if you don’t clamp it down well. I’ve had to go back and add more supports after hearing that weird knocking.
- Copper is nice, but sweating pipes in cramped spots? Not my favorite job. PEX is way easier when space is tight.
- If you go with PEX, spring for the quality fittings and clamps. Cheap ones just aren’t worth the headache.
- Hard water is a pain with copper, like you said. I’ve pulled out pipes with crazy buildup before.
- For a walk-in shower swap, I’d lean PEX unless you’re already set up for copper and want to match. Just take your time on those bends—kinked PEX is a nightmare to fix later.
Switching out a tub for a walk-in shower: copper vs. PEX pipes?
Man, I’m right in the middle of this exact debate. I’ve been watching way too many YouTube videos and now I’m convinced I can do anything... until I actually get into the crawlspace and realize how little room there is to work with. Copper looks great, but after trying to sweat a joint behind my washing machine last month, I’m not exactly eager to repeat that. Ended up with a burnt knuckle and a lot of new curse words.
I’ve heard the PEX rattle too—thought my house was haunted for a minute before I figured out it was just the pipes. Clamps are definitely a must. I cheaped out on a couple of those plastic ones at first, and they just didn’t hold up. The metal ones seem to do a better job, at least in my (limited) experience.
Hard water is a nightmare here too. My neighbor showed me a chunk of copper pipe he pulled out that looked like it had been filled with oatmeal. Not exactly confidence-inspiring. PEX seems to handle it better, though I guess nothing’s totally maintenance-free.
I’m leaning PEX for the shower swap just because I don’t want to mess with a torch in a tiny space. But I do kind of miss the “solid” feel of copper. There’s something about it that just feels more permanent, you know? Still, if I kink another piece of PEX trying to make a tight turn, I might lose it. Those things don’t forgive mistakes.
Guess it comes down to whether you want to wrestle with a torch or wrestle with a stubborn coil of tubing. Neither one is exactly glamorous, but at least with PEX I don’t have to worry about burning the house down.