I've been thinking about this myself lately. I've used SharkBites a couple times for quick fixes, and they've held up okay so far, but I always get a little nervous leaving them behind drywall long-term. PEX crimps seem pretty solid from what I've read and heard from others too, but I haven't personally done a full project with them yet.
One thing I'm curious about though—does anyone have experience with how PEX holds up in areas with really hard water? My house has pretty rough water quality (lots of minerals), and I've noticed copper pipes tend to get buildup over the years. Wondering if PEX would handle that better or worse? I mean, plastic shouldn't corrode like copper does, right? But could mineral deposits still cause issues at fittings or crimps?
Also, I've heard some folks mention rodents chewing through PEX lines. Is that actually common or just one of those rare horror stories you hear online? I'd hate to redo plumbing only to have some mouse decide it's snack time behind my wall...
Anyway, I'm leaning towards giving PEX a shot for my next bathroom reno since it seems DIY-friendly enough. Just trying to cover all my bases before diving in headfirst.
I've wondered about the rodent thing myself—seems like one of those horror stories that pops up every now and then, but I don't know how common it actually is. My neighbor redid his kitchen plumbing with PEX about three years ago, and he's never mentioned any problems with mice chewing through it. Granted, that's just one anecdote, but it's something.
As for the hard water issue, I think you're right that plastic won't corrode like copper does, so theoretically mineral buildup shouldn't be as big a deal. I'd guess fittings or crimps might still get some deposits over time, though, especially if your water is really rough. Maybe adding a softener or filter upstream could help cut down on buildup regardless of pipe material?
Either way, sounds like you're doing all the right research before diving in. I'm in the same boat—first home and trying to learn as I go along—and honestly, from what I've read, PEX seems pretty forgiving for DIYers like us...but yeah, there's always that lingering worry about hidden issues behind drywall.
"Maybe adding a softener or filter upstream could help cut down on buildup regardless of pipe material?"
Yeah, totally agree with this. We installed a basic water softener last year, and it's made a noticeable difference. PEX is pretty DIY-friendly, but pairing it with softened water definitely helps ease my mind about long-term buildup issues...
"PEX is pretty DIY-friendly, but pairing it with softened water definitely helps ease my mind about long-term buildup issues..."
I've been considering a softener too, but I'm still on the fence. Did you notice any change in water taste or pressure after installing yours? I've heard mixed things—some people swear by them, others say it makes the water feel kinda slippery or weird. Curious if anyone else noticed that or if it's just me overthinking things again...
I've been considering a softener too, but I'm still on the fence.
I installed a softener about two years ago, and honestly, the slippery feeling is real—takes some getting used to. Didn't notice any pressure drop, but taste-wise, it felt slightly off at first. Using a separate drinking water filter solved that easily enough though.
