PEX is great for runs inside walls or under floors, but those tight bends behind appliances seem like its Achilles’ heel.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve tried those little push-fit elbows with PEX, but even then it’s a pain to get everything lined up in the tiny gap behind a fridge. Copper just holds its shape better and you know what you’re dealing with. Braided lines are hit or miss—when they go, they really go. I’ll take the extra time with copper over mopping up a flood any day.
Title: Swapping Ice Makers: PEX vs Copper vs Braided Lines
I get the love for copper—there’s something satisfying about bending it just right and knowing it’ll stay put. But honestly, I’ve seen just as many leaks from old copper lines as I have from cheap braided ones. Sometimes it’s not the material, it’s the install (or the guy who thought he could “just snug it up a little more” with a wrench).
PEX does have its quirks, especially in tight spots. Those push-fit elbows are a lifesaver, but yeah, they’re not magic. Still, I’d rather wrestle with PEX than try to snake a rigid copper line behind a fridge that’s wedged between cabinets and a wall. At least with PEX, you can fish it through without needing three hands and a prayer.
Braided lines are a gamble. Some last forever, some blow out after a year. I always tell folks to check the rating and avoid the bargain bin stuff. If you’re swapping out an ice maker, half the cost is just getting to the thing without wrecking your kitchen. The other half is making sure whatever you put in doesn’t turn into a slip-n-slide down the road.
Honestly, there’s no perfect answer. I’ve seen every combo fail at some point. Just comes down to what you trust and how much you like crawling around on your knees behind appliances. Personally, I’ll take PEX with a good elbow and a solid shutoff valve—less drama if you ever need to swap it again. But hey, if copper’s working for you, stick with it. Just don’t forget to check those old compression fittings once in a while... they love to surprise you at 2am.
“half the cost is just getting to the thing without wrecking your kitchen. The other half is making sure whatever you put in doesn’t turn into a slip-n-slide down the road.”
That right there is why I always hesitate before tackling anything behind the fridge. Every time I’ve swapped an ice maker or even just tried to check a line, it turns into a mini version of moving day—except with more dust bunnies and less help. I get why the labor costs add up, especially if you’re dealing with old plumbing or tight spaces.
I’m with you on PEX being easier to maneuver, but I still worry about those push-fit connectors over time. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but I always double-check for leaks and make sure the shutoff valve is actually working before I push everything back in place.
One thing that surprised me was how much the little stuff adds up—adapters, elbows, even just the right kind of line. And if you mess up and have to redo a connection, there goes another trip to the hardware store. It’s not just the part swap—it’s making sure you don’t end up with water everywhere at 2am (been there, not fun).
Anyone else triple-check those fittings before calling it done?
