Maybe I’m just old school—or just old—but sometimes the extra hassle pays off down the road.
I get where you’re coming from. I went with PEX for my last reno, mostly because it’s less waste and easier to work with in tight spots. But yeah, copper does have that “forever” feel—plus, no plastic leaching worries. It’s a toss-up if you’re thinking long-term value vs. eco impact.
But yeah, copper does have that “forever” feel—plus, no plastic leaching worries.
That’s the thing—copper’s tough to beat for peace of mind. I’ve seen PEX split in a freeze or get chewed by rodents, and it’s not pretty when you’re called in at 2am. But then again, sweating copper in a crawlspace isn’t exactly my idea of a good time either.
PEX is great for speed and flexibility, especially if you’re working solo or in weird angles. Just gotta be careful with sunlight exposure and make sure those connections are solid—one bad crimp and you’re mopping up later. Copper’s more work upfront, but less drama down the line if you do it right.
Honestly, it comes down to what you’re comfortable with and how much hassle you want to deal with now vs. maybe years from now. Either way, double-check your shutoffs before you start... trust me, nobody wants an indoor pool mid-project.
Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this debate play out in real life. Copper’s definitely the “set it and forget it” option if you’re willing to put in the sweat equity. But PEX has saved my back more than once in tight spots—especially when you’re snaking lines through old framing or weird corners. Just gotta watch for those rodents, like you said... had a mouse chew through a line behind a wall once, and that was a mess. If you’re in a spot where freezing is a concern, copper can split too, but PEX will usually give you a little more forgiveness—unless it gets gnawed on. At the end of the day, it’s about what you’re comfortable working with and what your house throws at you.
Had a similar situation last winter when I was helping my uncle redo his bathroom. We went with PEX because the house is old and the walls are a maze—no way we were sweating copper in those tight spaces without tearing out half the plaster. The flexibility of PEX was a lifesaver, but we did run into some chewed insulation nearby, which made us double up on rodent-proofing. I’ve heard folks say copper “just lasts,” but I’ve seen pinhole leaks in older runs, especially where water’s a bit acidic.
One thing I’d add—if you’re planning to tile the shower, it’s way easier to make last-minute tweaks with PEX if you realize something’s off with your valve placement. Copper’s less forgiving if you have to move things around after the fact. Still, if you’re in a spot with a lot of sun exposure or worried about UV, copper’s probably safer. Guess it really does come down to what kind of headaches you want to avoid.
Copper’s definitely got the track record, but I’ve replaced plenty of old copper lines where pinhole leaks started popping up—usually in homes with high mineral content or acidic water, like you said. PEX is a lot more forgiving for tight retrofits, especially if you don’t want to demo too much. Out of curiosity, did you use crimp or expansion fittings? I’ve seen people run into issues with the cheaper clamp rings failing after a few years, especially if they’re not installed perfectly.
