PEX is a game changer, honestly. I swapped out some old galvanized pipes last year and haven’t looked back—no more mystery leaks or green gunk. Plus, it’s way easier to snake through tight spots. Only thing is, I do wonder about the plastic long-term... but at least I’m not busting open walls every few years. If you’re picking fixtures too, maybe check for WaterSense labels? Saves water and money, and you don’t have to feel guilty about those extra-long showers.
Only thing is, I do wonder about the plastic long-term...
- PEX is solid for quick jobs, but I’ve seen a few cases where rodents chewed through it. Worth considering if you’ve got critter issues.
- WaterSense fixtures are a must for rentals—less water waste, fewer complaints about high bills.
- For durability, I lean toward metal fixtures with ceramic valves. Plastic internals tend to wear out faster, especially in high-use units.
- If you’re worried about PEX longevity, stick to reputable brands and avoid direct sunlight exposure—UV can mess it up over time.
- Don’t forget shutoff valves at every fixture. Makes future repairs way less of a headache.
Had a similar debate with myself last year when I redid the kitchen. Ended up going with brass fixtures and ceramic valves after a plastic handle cracked within a year (not even heavy use). For piping, PEX was tempting, but I went copper since we’ve had mice issues in the past. Definitely agree on shutoffs—saved me a mess during a leak. WaterSense is great, but double-check flow rates if you like stronger showers... some are pretty weak.
Brass and ceramic valves are definitely the way to go—plastic just doesn’t hold up, especially if you’ve got kids or guests who aren’t gentle. I’m with you on copper over PEX too. Had a neighbor whose PEX got chewed through by mice, and it was a nightmare. Curious if you did anything special for soundproofing the copper? Sometimes I get a bit of pipe rattle, especially when someone slams a faucet shut.
I hear you on the pipe rattle—mine makes a racket if someone shuts off the water too fast, especially in the basement. I wrapped some of the exposed copper with foam insulation sleeves and it helped a bit, but honestly, it’s not perfect. I’ve read about using clips to secure them better to joists, but haven’t tried that yet. Kind of feels like one of those “good enough” things unless it gets really loud.
