Talked to my plumber about PEX vs copper and it totally changed my plan

I was dead set on using copper for the whole re-pipe in my 1950s place off Central. But my plumber, Mike, just said 'you're gonna spend twice as much and get the same result'... and he laid out how PEX handles freezing way better. He showed me a section he pulled from a job last winter where the copper split but PEX just bulged. Has anyone else switched mid-project because a pro gave you a reality check?

2 comments

2 Comments

jennifer2045d ago

Oh wow yeah Mike sounds like a solid dude. I mean I was in the same boat when my guy talked me out of copper for my 50s ranch. He pulled out this mangled chunk of copper from a frozen pipe and it looked like a disaster, while the PEX just kinda swelled up and went back to normal after it thawed. Made me feel dumb for being so stuck on the old school stuff. I'd trust the pro over my own assumptions any day, they see the real world results.

leo_fisher5d ago

Haven't you ever had a pro push you toward something just because it's easier for them to install though? I'm not saying Mike is wrong exactly, but copper has a track record that goes back way longer than PEX has even been around. If that pipe freezes solid enough, PEX can still burst, especially if there's a fitting or connection point in that spot. I've seen plenty of old copper lines in houses from the 50s and 60s that are still running fine today. I just don't love the idea of swapping out proven materials for something that's been on the market for maybe 30 years.