If your old pipes are getting green crusties or you’re seeing pinhole leaks, that’s when I’d start thinking swap—not just because it’s old.
Couldn’t agree more with this. Some folks get spooked just by the age of their pipes, but if they’re not leaking or corroding, why mess with them? I’ve seen copper from the 60s still going strong, while newer stuff sometimes fails early. PEX is a breeze to install, but yeah, skipping a clamp is a nightmare waiting to happen... Seen it once and it was a total mess. At the end of the day, it’s about what you’re comfortable working with and what your house actually needs.
Honestly, I was in the same boat when I bought my place last year. The inspector flagged the pipes as “old but functional,” and I spent weeks worrying if I should just bite the bullet and redo everything. Ended up leaving them alone, and so far, no regrets. Like you said, age alone isn’t a dealbreaker—my neighbor’s got copper from the 50s and it’s still kicking.
I do keep an eye out for those green spots and any weird leaks, though. Had a friend who ignored a tiny pinhole and it turned into a full-on ceiling disaster... lesson learned there. PEX is tempting for the DIY factor, but I’m always paranoid I’ll mess up a fitting somewhere behind a wall and not know until it’s too late.
Guess it comes down to how much peace of mind you want versus the hassle and cost. For now, I’m just keeping a close watch and saving up in case things go sideways.
PEX is tempting for the DIY factor, but I’m always paranoid I’ll mess up a fitting somewhere behind a wall and not know until it’s too late.
Man, I totally get that. I swapped out a section of galvanized for PEX in my laundry room last winter—figured it was a “safe” spot to experiment. The sharkbite fittings are supposed to be foolproof, but I still checked every joint like ten times before closing up the wall. No leaks yet, but I’m still half-expecting to find a puddle one morning. Honestly, as long as you’re not seeing corrosion or weird water pressure drops, keeping an eye on things seems smart. The peace of mind is nice, but ripping out perfectly good pipe just for the sake of it feels like overkill... unless you’re already remodeling anyway.
I’m in the same boat—always weighing cost vs. risk. Last year, I only replaced a short run of old copper that was starting to turn green at the joints. Figured if it’s not leaking or causing pressure issues, why mess with it? I do worry about hidden leaks with PEX, but honestly, I’d rather keep an eye on things than tear up walls for no reason. If it ain’t broke...
Had the same debate last winter. Ended up leaving most of my 60s copper alone, just swapped out a section that was getting crusty near the water heater. I get nervous about PEX too—heard stories about rodents chewing it. For now, I’m just checking for leaks every few months and hoping for the best... seems like overkill to rip everything out if it’s still holding up.
