For most homeowners, we don’t know anything but copper for home repiping because this is the first time we have had to replace our copper pipes. However, for homeowners that are now experiencing signs that their pipes need replacing, PEX, an acronym for crosslinked polyethylene, is the first choice for most plumbing companies. Plumbing Contractors now use PEX for residential repiping, new construction, fire sprinklers, floor heating, and cooling systems. The fact is, PEX is now used more in new construction and home repiping than copper or CPVC(chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) combined. In addition, the product is extremely durable and comes with a 25-year limited warranty on AquaPEX® tubing and ProPEX® fittings.
PEX Is Resistant To Corrosion, Pitting, Scaling And Is Perfect For Home Repiping
Introduced to the North American market nearly forty years ago, it has continued to gain ground over copper. The three attributes that make the product stand out are flexibility, durability, and the fact that it costs much less. It’s become your plumbing contractor’s choice of tubing because of its ease of installation, performance, and reliability. Compared to copper Pex, it is resistant to corrosion, pitting, and scaling. For those customers that live in freezing conditions, PEX can expand up to three times its size, making it the most freeze-resistant tubing/pipe on the market. You can also put to rest the concerns about the dangerous metals in your water because PEX is not made from metal.
When Comparing Copper to PEX
PEX Copper
Resists corrosion, pitting, and scaling Yes No
Flexibility helps resist freeze damage Yes No
Retains heat in hot-water lines; resists
condensation on cold-water lines. Yes No
Dampens rushing water noise; eliminates
water hammer and singing pipes Yes No
It cannot be dry-fit; it eliminates the potential for
future leaks and blow-offs Yes No
NSF International certification for water purity Yes No
Flexible, eliminating added fittings and liability Yes No
Ironically, Copper Piping Was The Go-To Piping For Many
Let’s not be too quick to kick copper piping to the curb. While we see so many benefits from PEX, copper has given our plumbing system the stability it needed for many years. Ironically, copper piping became the go-to piping for many of the same reasons PEX became so popular. In the mid-60s, copper piping was introduced, and it soon became the piping home builders and plumbers were waiting for. At the time, it was galvanized steel pipes that fitted our homes. However, galvanized steel was bulky, heavy, and required twice the labor costs to install. Then came copper, which was lightweight, somewhat flexible, and installation was much easier.
Fast Track To Your Water Leak Detection
Unlike Copper, Pex Works Best With Hard Water, For Home Repipes
The life expectancy of copper and PEX are about the same, 40-50 years. You could extend that number if you fit your home with a whole-house water treatment system. One of the problems with copper is that it can become a victim to hard water deposits, especially in Murrieta, California. Over many years the deposits will restrict the water flow causing low water pressure and might cause your pipes to leak. That would not be an issue with PEX. But with all that said, they’re still loyalists to copper, and Murrieta Plumbing is ready to meet your demand for Copper pipes in Murrieta and Temecula.
PEX Is The Go-To Tubing For Home Repiping
We used PEX for floor heating in cold climate areas in the 70s before it was designed for new homes and home repiping. It started to pick up steam in the early 90s, and by the turn of the century, it never looked back. It’s now the go-to pipe for plumbing professionals. While there are not many drawbacks to PEX, there is one that needs consideration when making a decision: the pipe cannot be recycled. You can obviously recycle copper, but right now, PEX cannot get recycled and will end up in our landfills when getting replaced.
Most Home Repipes Can Get Accomplished In One Day
Are you up against a home repipe? Unfortunately, for most homeowners, the thought of it turns into a nightmare. That’s because most homeowners are uneducated when it comes to home repiping. It might surprise you to know that a one, two, and, in some cases, a three-bathroom home usually takes one day for repiping and a second day to make the drywall repairs. Our team of repipe professionals is well planned in advance, and the homeowner usually never has to leave their home. Four and five-bathroom homes take two days to repipe, with a third day for drywall repairs. In this instance, the homeowner will only need to be gone for one day.
MONEY, WATER, AND ENERGY SAVING PLUMBING TIPS FOR YOUR HOME
PEX Is Much Easier To Install, Making It Easier In The Pocket Book
While there are many benefits to PEX, there are some that stand out the most. For example, installation is much easier and faster to install when compared to copper. In addition, the product requires fewer connections because it’s so flexible. The tubing gets connected using compression fittings and the appropriate wrench, while copper piping copper requires solder and a torch. Most licensed plumbing contractors will pass on the saving to the consumer. Flexibility and durability are at the core of the success of PEX. In some cases, the tubing can make turns without ever needing a fitting.
PEX Works Well With Copper For Home Repair
It’s not all or nothing when you’re dealing with PEX. So Refrain from assuming you need to replace your old pipe plumbing system with PEX piping to reap the advantages. If parts of your old copper system still work well, then you can gradually retrofit the old copper pipes with new PEX. Another great benefit is that PEX can work well with copper when making minor repairs. For example, you may replace the copper behind a shower or in a laundry room; copper and PEX work well together. Unfortunately, only some homeowners have the resources to dive into complete home repiping, so in some instances finding the problem areas and repairing them might be the best choice. As long as your plumbing technician sees no signs of water leaks, making repairs in sections might be the best choice.
We Have PEX Specialists Ready To Provide You With The Service You Need
Whether you’re planning a home repipe to your home, adding a bathroom or kitchen, the word is out – PEX should be every homeowner’s first choice. At Big B’s Plumbing, PEX specialists are ready to provide the expertise, value, and service that every homeowner desires. Our accredited A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and Top-Notch reviews attests to the type of company we are.
