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.
