"Honestly, I think conditioners and flushes are great for regular upkeep, but once your pipes get to a certain age or condition, you're just patching things up temporarily."
Totally agree with this. I tried the vinegar flush too, and while it gave me a few months of peace, the knocking came back eventually. Thought about switching to copper at first, but the cost and hassle put me off. Ended up going with PEX as well—mostly because it was cheaper and easier to DIY. Took a weekend, some YouTube tutorials, and a couple trips to the hardware store, but it was worth it.
One thing I'd add: if you're on a tight budget like I was, definitely shop around online for fittings and tools. Local stores were convenient but marked up quite a bit compared to online sellers. Also, if you know someone who's done plumbing work before, borrowing tools can save you a decent chunk of money.
Now my boiler runs quietly and efficiently—wish I'd done it sooner honestly.
I get what you're saying, but I'm still a little skeptical about PEX longevity. Did a few vinegar flushes myself and yeah, the knocking always came back. Ended up biting the bullet and hiring someone to swap in copper pipes. It hurt the wallet for sure, but at least I know they'll probably outlast my mortgage payments...hopefully. Still curious how PEX holds up long-term though—guess time will tell.
Yeah, I totally get the hesitation around PEX. I've seen it hold up pretty well in newer builds, but honestly, I'm still not 100% sold on its long-term reliability either. Copper's pricier for sure, but there's something reassuring about knowing it's been proven over decades. At least now you won't have to deal with that knocking anymore—peace of mind counts for a lot when it comes to plumbing...
"Copper's pricier for sure, but there's something reassuring about knowing it's been proven over decades."
Yeah, that's exactly why I went with copper when we redid our bathroom plumbing last year. PEX seemed tempting (and cheaper), but I just couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty... better safe than sorry, right?
Copper definitely has that reassuring track record, but honestly, I went with PEX to save some cash. No regrets yet... fingers crossed it stays that way, or I'll be back here eating my words in a few years, lol.
