The plumbing that extends throughout your home must be reliable and long-lasting. Plumbing leaks can damage your floors, walls and ceilings, so you need to make sure that your pipes can withstand decades of use without costly repairs. When it comes to your hot and cold-water pipes, your two primary choices are copper pipes or PEX, which is a cross-linked polyethylene product.
Each type of pipe has its benefits and drawbacks that you should know before you make a purchase decision. Properties like ease of installation, durability and affordability should top your priorities list. At Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Lakeland, we are happy to help you make the best decision possible for your household water system.
Durability
One of the primary unknowns about PEX piping is its durability. While copper pipes have been around for centuries, PEX is a relative newcomer on the plumbing scene.
Use of copper for plumbing pipes dates to ancient Egypt where archeologists discovered copper piping in the Pyramids, still intact some 4,500 years later. In contrast, PEX pipes originated in the 1960s. The product was not available in the U.S. until 1980.
Some consider it to be unproven in terms of longevity, although the experts estimate the lifespan of this polyethylene product to be between 30 and 50 years. Copper piping lasts up to twice as long as PEX, from 50 to 70 years.
Factors that affect the durability of PEX do not affect copper pipes. For example, exposure to ultraviolet radiation causes PEX to wear out faster than normal. If improperly installed, overlapping PEX pipes can become frayed and fail.
Chemicals in your water, such as chlorine, can degrade PEX pipes, but they do not affect copper in the same way. Extreme heat damages PEX too. You shouldn’t use PEX if your hot water temperature tops 180 degrees F. In contrast, copper can handle excessive heat but is more likely to freeze and split in cold temperatures.
Affordability
Affordability is always a main concern when you are budgeting for new plumbing. The materials can have a significant impact on your cost. Copper pipes are more expensive than PEX. Copper costs as much as 20 and up to 80 percent more, depending on the size of the pipes.
Also, because copper takes longer to install, your labor costs will be higher if you go that route. PEX is designed to be quicker and easier to install and/or retrofit.
Ease of Use
Copper pipes are straight and non-flexible. Your plumbers must cut the piping with a specialized tool designed for copper. Then, they have to weld the necessary elbows and connectors into place. The process ensures the durability of your plumbing system, but it requires time and practice.
PEX comes in more flexible tubing that allows some wiggle room during the fitting process. It is easier to cut because it is softer than copper, and it doesn’t dent or scratch. PEX pipe connectors, elbows and other fittings come in brass, plastic or stainless steel, and they do not require welding. Instead, crimp or push-to-connect fittings simplify PEX installation, saving on labor costs.
Flexible enough to snake behind drywall and navigate gentle curves, PEX piping is often easier when it comes to repairs too. Instead of tearing walls apart to find a leak in copper pipes, your plumbing pro can simply cut the PEX pipe and pull it out for inspection.
Flexibility
Compared to rigid copper piping, PEX is flexible. However, it is not flexible enough to navigate sharp 45- or 90-degree angles without connectors. Forcing the product to bend too far can cause stress to the material, which leads to cracking and/or splits.
However, PEX’s flexibility does make it easier to work with than copper. It requires fewer fittings and less cutting, which may translate to fewer plumbing issues as the years go by.
Versatility
PEX and copper are both fairly versatile but in different ways. For example, copper is impervious to UV radiation, so you can use it both indoors and out, even in sunny places. PEX is vulnerable to damage from UV rays, so you should not use it outside. Copper can freeze and break in the winter, but PEX can withstand frigid temperatures.
Chemicals in your household water supply will not affect the integrity of copper piping, but they will likely affect PEX. If you have rodents in your basement or other areas where your plumbing passes through, you don’t have to worry about them damaging your copper pipes. However, rodents can chew on PEX and damage it.
PEX Pros and Cons
PEX Pros
- Lower-cost materials
- Less cutting
- No welding required
- Withstands freezing without cracking
- Easier to work with than other types of pipes
- Lightweight
- Lasts up to 50 years
Cons of PEX Piping
- Limited to indoor use due to UV danger
- Not impervious to chemicals in the water
- Heat limit is 180 degrees F
- Requires fittings to avoid stress damage
- Vulnerable to damage from pests
Copper Piping Pros and Cons
Reasons to Choose Copper Pipes
- Time tested
- Stands up to chemicals in the water
- Not affected by ultraviolet radiation
- Can withstand temperatures above 180 degrees F
- Impervious to rodent damage
- Lasts up to 80 years
Copper Cons
- Far more expensive that PEX
- Requires welded fittings
- Higher installation cost
- Vulnerable to freezing damage
- Non-flexible
- More difficult to find and fix leaks
Which is Better?
The ultimate decision about which plumbing material is best for your home and family is yours. We are available to help too. Just get in touch with us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Lakeland to discuss your options and schedule an in-home consultation now.
Resources
- https://www.cuspuk.com/news/a-brief-history-of-copper-in-the-plumbing-industry/
- https://www.aymcdonald.com/en/news/2023/February/the-abcs-of-pex-tubing–194#:~:text=PEX%20tubing%20was%20invented%20in,quick%20installation%2C%20and%20corrosion%20resistance.
- https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/pex-vs-copper-piping/