need some advice on plumbing stuff for DIY bathroom fix-up

I feel your pain - went down this road myself last year. Copper's great, but soldering those joints is no joke if you're new to plumbing...and pricey mistakes hurt. PVC was tempting, but personally, I worried about cracking or leaks down the line. Ended up using PEX, and honestly, no regrets. Easier to handle, fewer joints to mess up, and it's held solid so far. Just make sure you invest in a decent crimp tool - worth every penny to sleep easier at night, trust me. Good luck!

PEX definitely makes sense for a DIY job, especially if you're new to plumbing. I've been learning the ropes myself lately, and soldering copper was intimidating at first - burned my fingers more times than I'd like to admit. PVC isn't bad, but yeah, I've heard enough horror stories about cracking or brittle joints down the road that it made me nervous.

If you do go with PEX, here's a quick rundown from what I've learned so far:

- Get yourself a decent crimp tool (like mentioned above). Don't cheap out here; it'll save headaches later.
- Cut your tubing cleanly and squarely - uneven cuts can cause leaks.
- Slide the crimp ring onto the pipe first, then insert your fitting fully. Double-check it's seated properly.
- Position the crimp ring about 1/8" to 1/4" from the end of the pipe, then crimp firmly. Most tools have a gauge to check if you've done it right.
- Test your connections before sealing everything up behind drywall or tile. Better safe than sorry.

Honestly, once you get going, it's pretty straightforward. Good luck with your bathroom fix-up...and welcome to the plumbing rabbit hole.

I switched to PEX last year after dealing with PVC leaks - honestly, best decision I've made. Just make sure you recycle or reuse leftover tubing...hate seeing plastic waste pile up. Good luck, plumbing can be a real headache sometimes.

I've done plumbing repairs and installs for years, and I'd second the recommendation for PEX. Copper's solid but requires soldering skills and can get expensive. PVC is okay for drains, but I wouldn't trust it long-term for pressurized lines. PEX is straightforward - just invest in a decent crimp tool, follow directions carefully, and you'll be fine. Also agree on recycling scraps; it's easy enough to reuse leftover pieces for smaller repairs later on.

I've been curious about the longevity of PEX fittings - anyone had issues with them leaking or loosening over time? I've mostly stuck with copper, but the ease of PEX is tempting... just wondering how it holds up after a few years.

"I've mostly stuck with copper, but the ease of PEX is tempting... just wondering how it holds up after a few years."

Totally get where you're coming from - PEX is definitely tempting, especially when you're watching the budget. I've had mine in place about 5 years now, zero leaks or issues. Just make sure you use quality fittings and crimp them properly... you'll be good.

I've been curious about PEX myself, mostly from an eco-friendly angle. Copper has always felt like the reliable choice, but the extraction and refining process isn't exactly gentle on the environment. With PEX, I've heard mixed things about its longevity, so I did some digging around before trying it out.

From what I've gathered, if you install it carefully - like properly supporting the pipes to avoid sagging or rubbing, and keeping it away from direct sunlight - it seems to hold up pretty well. I talked to a neighbor who redid his kitchen about 7 years ago with PEX, and he's still going strong without issues.

Your point about quality fittings is spot-on. Cheap connectors or rushed crimps seem to be where most problems pop up. Taking your time to do it right really pays off down the road. Honestly, if you're careful during installation, PEX seems like a solid alternative that can save you headaches (and money) in the long run.

Copper definitely has its downsides environmentally, but I'm still hesitant about PEX for long-term use. I've seen it get brittle over time, especially in areas with chlorinated water... just something to consider before diving in fully.

I've had PEX installed in a few rentals for about 10 years now, and honestly haven't run into any brittleness yet - even with city water that's pretty heavily chlorinated. But I hear ya, copper feels solid and reliable. Still, I've had more headaches with pinhole leaks in copper pipes than anything else. Maybe it's just my luck, but those tiny leaks always seem to pop up at the worst possible time... usually on a weekend or holiday, of course.

I've seen copper pinholes plenty of times too, but honestly, most of those issues come down to water chemistry or grounding problems rather than the pipe itself. If your city water is heavily chlorinated, that can definitely accelerate corrosion in copper. But I've also found that proper grounding and bonding can make a huge difference in preventing those pesky leaks.

PEX is convenient, sure, but it's not bulletproof either. I've had to replace sections of PEX that got damaged by rodents - something copper usually doesn't have to worry about. Also, while brittleness might not show up in just 10 years, I've seen some older PEX installations (15-20 years) start to get a bit stiff and less flexible, especially near fittings or where exposed to temperature fluctuations.

If you're DIYing a bathroom fix-up and feel comfortable working with copper, I'd still lean toward it for long-term reliability - just make sure your electrical grounding is solid and maybe consider adding a whole-house water filter if chlorine levels are high. But if ease of installation and cost savings are your priority, PEX is hard to beat. Just keep an eye out for potential vulnerabilities like rodents or UV exposure if any pipes run outdoors or through crawl spaces.

I just went through this exact debate a few months back when I redid my guest bath. Copper felt like the "grown-up" choice, but after practicing soldering in the garage (and nearly setting my workbench on fire...), I decided PEX was more my speed. Definitely easier for a rookie, but yeah, already spotted some squirrel teeth marks in the crawlspace - little jerks. Guess you pick your poison!

"Definitely easier for a rookie, but yeah, already spotted some squirrel teeth marks in the crawlspace - little jerks."

Haha, squirrels are the worst...found out the hard way myself. Went with PEX too since soldering looked like a recipe for disaster (and insurance claims). One tip: invest in some metal sleeves or conduit where the lines are exposed. Keeps those furry vandals from turning your plumbing into a chew toy. Learned that after my neighbor's basement flooded thanks to rodent sabotage.

PEX is definitely a lifesaver for DIY plumbing, but I gotta admit, I was pretty skeptical at first. Seemed too good to be true - no soldering, easy fittings, flexible tubing...what's the catch, right? But after a couple years, it's held up surprisingly well. Still, rodents are no joke. Learned that lesson myself when I found tiny teeth marks all over the insulation in my attic. Little buggers seem to have a taste for anything expensive.

If you're running PEX through any exposed areas or crawlspaces, here's what worked for me:

1. First, measure out exactly where your lines will run. Don't eyeball it - trust me, you'll regret it later when you're crawling around in the dirt trying to fix things.
2. Grab some metal conduit or even just metal sleeves specifically made for protecting plumbing lines. They're pretty cheap at most hardware stores.
3. Slide your PEX tubing through the metal sleeves BEFORE you connect fittings or secure anything in place. Trying to retrofit protection afterward is a nightmare.
4. Secure the conduit or sleeves firmly to joists or studs with clamps or brackets. Loose conduit rattles around and can actually attract curious critters.
5. Finally, seal up any gaps or entry points into your crawlspace or basement. Steel wool and expanding foam combo works wonders - rodents hate chewing through steel wool.

I know some folks say metal sleeves are overkill, but after seeing my neighbor's basement turn into an indoor swimming pool thanks to rodent sabotage, I'm not taking chances. Plus, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

One last thing - don't underestimate squirrels. They look cute, but they're basically fluffy-tailed vandals with zero respect for your home improvement efforts. Good luck with your project...and your furry adversaries.

Great tips overall, especially the steel wool trick - rodents really do hate that stuff. Learned that the hard way after a mouse decided my dishwasher hose was a gourmet snack...fun times.

One thing I'd add from my own DIY adventures: don't skimp on the clamps or brackets when securing your conduit. I thought I'd save a few bucks once by spacing them out further apart, and ended up with rattling pipes every time someone turned on the shower. Drove me nuts until I crawled back under there to fix it.

Also, you're totally right about squirrels. Had one chew through some wiring in my attic last winter. Cute little vandal cost me half a weekend and way too much money at Home Depot.

Anyway, PEX is still my go-to for plumbing fixes, but yeah, protecting it properly is key. Better safe than swimming in your basement...

Good call on the clamps - seen way too many DIY jobs where pipes are practically dancing behind the walls. Another quick tip: if you're using PEX, invest in some nail plates wherever the tubing passes through studs or joists. They're cheap insurance against accidental punctures from drywall screws or nails later on. Trust me, patching drywall is annoying enough without adding surprise plumbing leaks to the mix...been there, done that, got the soggy t-shirt.

Totally agree on the nail plates - those things have saved me more than once. Another thing I'd add is to snap a quick photo of your plumbing layout before you close up the walls. Sounds silly, but trust me, six months later when you're trying to hang shelves or towel racks, you'll thank yourself for knowing exactly where those pipes are hiding. Learned that one the hard way... drywall patching skills leveled up though, so silver linings I guess?

"Sounds silly, but trust me, six months later when you're trying to hang shelves or towel racks, you'll thank yourself for knowing exactly where those pipes are hiding."

Yep, learned that lesson myself - though my drywall skills still leave a lot to be desired. I'd also toss in: label your shut-off valves clearly. Nothing worse than fumbling around during a leak... ask me how I know.

Good call on labeling shut-off valves - I wish I'd thought of that before my first plumbing mishap. Another thing that helped me was snapping a few quick photos of the open walls before sealing everything up. It takes just a minute, and later on, when you're second-guessing yourself about pipe placement, you'll have visual proof right there on your phone. Saved me from drilling into trouble more than once...

Labeling valves is definitely a smart move - wish more people thought of it beforehand. Did you find the photos clear enough to actually pinpoint pipe locations later on, or did you have to take multiple angles to be sure? I've seen folks snap quick pics but still end up guessing a bit when it came down to drilling. Either way, sounds like you dodged a bullet there... plumbing mishaps can get messy real fast.