"Copper, while pricier upfront and a bit trickier to install, tends to hold up better against pests and can last decades if installed properly."
Good point about copper holding up better against rodents—I've seen my fair share of chewed-up PEX lines too. If you're leaning toward copper, just make sure whoever installs it knows their stuff. Proper soldering and joint prep are key to avoiding leaks down the road. And definitely get your water tested first...no sense investing in new pipes if hard water's the real culprit behind your issues.
If you're leaning toward copper, just make sure whoever installs it knows their stuff.
Copper's durability is definitely appealing, especially when rodents are a concern. But yeah, installation quality makes or breaks it...seen some pretty messy solder jobs turn into leaks later. Good call on the water test too—could save you from unnecessary headaches down the line.
Copper definitely has its merits, but installation quality is crucial. A few years back, I opted for copper piping in my basement renovation, thinking it was the safest bet against rodents and long-term wear. Unfortunately, the plumber I hired rushed the soldering, and within months, I had to deal with leaks behind drywall—talk about a headache. Like you mentioned:
"seen some pretty messy solder jobs turn into leaks later."
Couldn't agree more. If you're going copper, vet your installer carefully and don't rush the process.
Had a similar issue a while back—thought copper was bulletproof, but poor soldering turned it into a costly mess.
"vet your installer carefully and don't rush the process."
Makes me wonder, anyone have experience with PEX holding up better long-term?
Copper definitely has its quirks, but I'm not totally sold on PEX being the magic bullet either. Had a friend who switched to PEX about five years ago—loved the ease of installation and lower cost, but recently had issues with rodents chewing through lines in his crawlspace. Not saying it's common, but something to consider if your area has critters. Copper might be pricier and trickier, but at least mice aren't snacking on it...
