Haven’t had any PEX issues behind tile so far, and I’ve done a couple showers with it. The stuff’s pretty tough, but I do get a little nervous about rodents—heard they can chew through if they’re determined. Otherwise, seems to hold up better than old copper ever did for me.
I’ve noticed the same thing—PEX is way easier to work with, and I haven’t had any leaks behind tile either. The rodent thing does worry me a bit, but honestly, I’ve seen copper get pinhole leaks from corrosion way sooner than I expected. If you’re careful about how you run the PEX and keep it away from spots where critters might get in, it seems to last. I do like that it’s quieter than copper too... no banging pipes when you shut off the water fast.
- Ran into a similar situation last year on a bathroom remodel—PEX made the job way faster, especially in tight spaces behind the new shower.
- One thing I always do: add metal plates where PEX runs through studs, just in case someone ever drills or nails into the wall later.
- I’ve seen mice chew through both PEX and insulation, but honestly, copper isn’t immune to issues either... had to replace a whole section once due to pinholes from bad water chemistry.
- Noise reduction is a big plus with PEX. No more “water hammer” when someone shuts off a valve too quick.
- Still, I always double-check for UV exposure if any lines are near windows—PEX doesn’t like sunlight much. Just something to keep in mind.
Had to laugh at the “mice chew through both PEX and insulation” bit—been there, patched that. I swear, if mice ever unionize, we’re all doomed.
I’ll admit, I was a copper loyalist for years, but after wrestling with those old pipes in a crawlspace (and losing), I switched to PEX for my last shower project. Total game changer. Way easier to snake through weird angles, and my back thanked me later.
“add metal plates where PEX runs through studs, just in case someone ever drills or nails into the wall later.”
This is clutch. Nothing like the thrill of hanging a picture and hitting a water line... ask me how I know.
Only thing I still worry about is the UV thing—my bathroom’s got a window right by the shower, so I wrapped the exposed PEX in some leftover pipe insulation. Not pretty, but it works.
Copper’s great if you’ve got the patience (and a torch), but for DIYers who want to keep their eyebrows, PEX is hard to beat.
Metal plates are a must—I’ve seen too many “mystery leaks” traced back to a rogue screw. I’m with you on the UV thing, though. Even with insulation, I sometimes wonder if it’s enough in a sunny spot. Anyone ever tried painting PEX for extra protection, or is that just asking for trouble?