- Been there with the cobwebs—why do crawlspaces always feel like a haunted house?
- Crimp rings are my go-to, too. Less drama, less torch, less chance of accidentally setting something on fire (don’t ask about the time I almost melted my sock).
- Expansion PEX seems cool, but yeah, those tools aren’t exactly cheap. Plus, I’m not sure I trust myself not to mess up the expansion part and end up with a slow leak that ruins my new eco-friendly bamboo flooring.
Here’s where I get stuck:
- I keep hearing mixed things about PEX and environmental impact. Some folks say it’s more eco-friendly than copper because it takes less energy to produce and transport. Others worry about plastic in the water supply or long-term durability.
- Anyone actually had PEX in for 10+ years? Any weird tastes or issues with water quality?
- Also, if you’re going for low-flow fixtures, does PEX make any difference for pressure or is that all about the fixture itself?
I’m leaning toward PEX for the ease (and because I’d rather spend my weekend hiking than sweating pipes), but I keep second-guessing if it’s the “greenest” option. Copper’s recyclable, but mining’s rough on the planet. PEX is plastic, but supposedly lasts forever... unless a mouse gets hungry.
Curious if anyone’s found a truly eco-friendly fixture or pipe brand they like. Or is it just picking the lesser evil and hoping for the best?
- Had PEX in my last place for about 12 years—no weird tastes, and the water always seemed fine (I’m picky about that stuff).
- Mice are definitely the wildcard. My neighbor had one chew through a line behind his washer... not fun.
- For pressure, it’s really all about the fixture. PEX won’t magically boost low-flow, but it won’t make it worse either.
- “Greenest” pipe? I wish. It’s kinda picking your battles—PEX is easier on install and energy, copper wins on recycling, but both have trade-offs. I just try to buy from brands with decent transparency about their materials.
- And yeah, crawlspaces are basically nature’s haunted house.
If you’re worried about mice and PEX, I’ve seen folks wrap the lines in that cheap split-foam insulation. It’s not a guarantee, but it seems to slow the critters down (or at least make ‘em chew somewhere else). Copper’s tougher, but I’ve still seen rodents gnaw on it—guess they’re just determined sometimes.
On fixtures and pressure, totally agree: the pipe’s not magic. If you want better flow, check the aerators and showerheads for gunk or those little restrictors. Swapping those out can make a bigger difference than changing pipe material, honestly.
As for “greenest,” yeah, it’s a toss-up. I lean PEX for ease of install and fewer joints to leak, but I do wish there was a perfect answer. And crawlspaces... man, every time I go under there, I half expect to find a raccoon running a poker game.
Never thought I’d see the day when mice would chew copper, but I guess nothing’s safe if they’re hungry enough. I’ve tried that split-foam trick on PEX too—seems to help, but I always wonder if it just makes a softer snack for them. Anyone ever try metal conduit over PEX in problem spots?
On fixtures, totally agree about the aerators. I pulled a chunk of calcium out of one last month and suddenly the bathroom sink was like Niagara Falls. Makes me wonder how many folks swap pipes when it’s just a $2 fix.
As for “green,” I keep reading mixed things about PEX off-gassing and recyclability. Not sure if it’s hype or legit concern, but it does make me pause sometimes. Crawlspaces though... yeah, if I ever see a raccoon with cards down there, I’m folding.
Metal conduit on PEX—yeah, seen it done in rodent-heavy zones, especially in crawlspaces or garages. It’s a pain to install but honestly, it does stop gnawing, at least in my experience. The foam sleeves, I’m with you—sometimes I think it’s just giving the mice a Tempur-Pedic buffet.
About those “green” claims with PEX, I’ve read the studies but the jury’s still out for me. If you’re really worried, copper’s more recyclable but then you’re back to the mouse issue. Ever looked into those stainless braided supply lines for exposed runs? Wondering if anyone’s had critter trouble with those.
