I'm in the middle of renovating an older house (built in the late 70s), and the plumbing is honestly a mess. The plumber I talked to mentioned replacing the old copper pipes with PEX, saying it's cheaper and easier to install. But my dad, who's a bit old-school, keeps insisting copper lasts forever and is way more reliable. I'm kinda stuck in the middle here.
I've heard PEX is easier to work with, especially if you're doing DIY stuff, and it doesn't burst as easily in cold weather. But then again, copper has been around forever, and you know what you're getting. I've also heard some vague stuff about PEX possibly affecting water taste, but not sure if that's just internet paranoia or if there's some truth to it.
Has anyone here switched from copper to PEX or vice versa? Did you notice any difference in water quality, durability, or maintenance issues down the line? I'm leaning towards PEX for budget reasons, but I'm open to hearing if copper is really worth the extra cost.
I switched from copper to PEX about five years ago during a kitchen remodel. Honestly, I was skeptical too—my dad gave me the same lecture about copper lasting forever, lol. But after dealing with a burst copper pipe one winter (not fun), I figured I'd give PEX a shot. Installation was way easier, and no leaks or bursts since then.
"I've also heard some vague stuff about PEX possibly affecting water taste"
Didn't notice any weird taste myself, but maybe my palate isn't refined enough? Either way, no regrets here...
- Interesting points, and glad to hear the PEX worked out for you. I've seen both copper and PEX in action, and each definitely has pros and cons.
- On the taste thing—I actually did notice a slight plastic-y taste initially when we installed PEX at my brother's place. It wasn't overpowering or anything, but it was noticeable enough that we ended up installing a simple carbon filter under the kitchen sink. After that, no issues at all.
- One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the longevity factor. Copper pipes, while they can burst if they freeze (been there, done that, unfortunately), generally have a long track record for lasting decades if properly maintained. I've pulled copper pipes from houses built in the 60s that still looked great inside. PEX is newer, and while it's held up fine so far, I still wonder how it'll perform over 30 or 40 years. Maybe that's just the skeptic in me...
- Another thing to consider is rodents. I've come across a few cases where mice or rats chewed through PEX lines, causing leaks. Not common, but it happens. Copper doesn't have that issue, obviously.
- Also, UV exposure matters—PEX can't be left exposed outdoors or near windows without protection, since sunlight deteriorates it pretty quickly. Copper doesn't care about UV rays, so that's another small advantage there.
- Installation-wise, though, you're spot-on. PEX is way easier and quicker, especially for DIY projects or tight spaces. No soldering, fewer joints, less hassle. Definitely a plus on that front.
- Bottom line, from a maintenance perspective, I'd say both are solid options with different strengths. I'd probably lean copper for main lines or exposed areas, and PEX for interior remodels or tricky installations. But that's just me...
"Another thing to consider is rodents. I've come across a few cases where mice or rats chewed through PEX lines, causing leaks."
Rodents chewing through PEX... yikes, hadn't thought about that one! My neighbor swears by copper precisely because of his ongoing mouse battle. Makes me wonder—anyone tried rodent-proofing their plumbing somehow?
Had a client once whose basement was basically a mouse Airbnb... little critters chewed through his PEX twice before he called me. We ended up wrapping vulnerable sections with metal mesh sleeves—pretty cheap and easy fix. Copper's great, but if you're already set on PEX, just give the rodents something tougher to chew on than your plumbing. Worked like a charm for him, anyway.
