About PEX, though... I’ve heard some folks complain about rodents chewing through it. Anyone run into that? Or is it just one of those internet myths?
I’ve actually seen a mouse chew through PEX in my neighbor’s crawlspace, so it’s not totally a myth. That said, copper isn’t immune either—my uncle had squirrels gnaw right through his copper lines. Seems like if rodents want in, they’ll find a way regardless of the material. I still like PEX for the flexibility and how much easier it is to work with, but I do keep traps around just in case.
It’s not just an internet myth—rodents do chew through PEX. I was helping out on a job last winter, and we found a spot where rats had chewed a hole clean through a PEX line behind some drywall. Water everywhere. The homeowner was not thrilled. Copper’s tough, but like you said, I’ve seen it get chewed too, though not as often.
Honestly, I think it’s less about the material and more about whether you’ve got a rodent problem in the first place. If mice or rats are hungry or just bored, they’ll try anything. I’ve even seen them chew on wire insulation, which is even weirder.
I still prefer working with PEX because it’s so much faster to run, especially in tight spots. The fittings make life way easier compared to sweating copper, especially in an emergency when you’re crawling around in a dark basement at 3 AM and just want to get the water back on. But yeah, if you’ve got critters, you’ve got to deal with that first or you’re just asking for more leaks down the line.
One tip—if you’re running PEX in crawlspaces or attics, make sure it’s supported and not just dangling. I’ve noticed the stuff hanging loose is more likely to get chewed, probably because it’s easier for the rodents to get at. Also, steel mesh or conduit in problem areas can help, but it’s not always practical.
Midnight plumbing nightmares are bad enough without also finding out some mouse made a slip’n’slide out of your pipes...
- Been there, done that—woke up to a waterfall in the basement once because a mouse decided PEX was a snack.
- My trick now: steel wool stuffed around pipe entry points. Not perfect, but rodents hate chewing through it.
- I’ve tried those ultrasonic plug-ins too, but honestly, I think the mice just laughed at me and kept chewing.
- Agree on PEX for speed, but if you’ve got a rodent circus going on, nothing’s really safe.
- Pro tip: leave a couple snap traps near your pipes. It’s not glamorous, but it beats mopping up at 2 AM...
Steel wool’s been my go-to too, but I swear some of these mice must be part beaver. I’ve even tried caulking over the wool, thinking it’d help, but they just find a new route. Has anyone actually had luck with those peppermint oil sprays, or is that just another “old wives’ tale”?
Has anyone actually had luck with those peppermint oil sprays, or is that just another “old wives’ tale”?
Honestly, I’ve seen folks swear by peppermint oil, but in my experience, it’s more of a temporary deterrent than a real solution. Mice might avoid it for a bit, but if they’re determined, they’ll just find another way in. Steel wool is good, but you need to use the kind that’s mixed with fibers or mesh—plain steel wool can rust and break down over time. For serious infestations, I’d look into copper mesh and expanding foam rated for pest control. Those little guys are relentless...