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Re-Piping House with PEX Instead of Copper?
Posted on 6/19/19 at 11:27 am
Posted on 6/19/19 at 11:27 am
1950's single story Pier & Beam with crawlspace.
Just had 2nd pinhole leak in copper pipe running from water heater in 10 yrs. We're definitely re-piping that line and will probably re-pipe everything under the house. We're deciding between PEX or copper. Copper is a ton more expensive and everything I'm reading online seems to think PEX is the better product. Would go with PEX-A Uponor w/Propex fittings btw.
Any opinions?
Just had 2nd pinhole leak in copper pipe running from water heater in 10 yrs. We're definitely re-piping that line and will probably re-pipe everything under the house. We're deciding between PEX or copper. Copper is a ton more expensive and everything I'm reading online seems to think PEX is the better product. Would go with PEX-A Uponor w/Propex fittings btw.
Any opinions?
8
Posted on 6/19/19 at 11:29 am to SirSaintly
PEX is by far the better option. You won’t be sorry.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 11:41 am to SirSaintly
Use PEX but use professional fittings, not the Gatorbite fittings.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 11:49 am to Bedhog
quote:
Use PEX but use professional fittings, not the Gatorbite fittings.
of course, hence why I said "Would go with PEX-A Uponor w/Propex fittings btw."
Posted on 6/19/19 at 1:47 pm to SirSaintly
As long as PEX isn't exposed to sun, it is the better product.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 2:30 pm to SirSaintly
Rodents love PEX and are attracted to it for some reason. Keep that in mind.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 2:41 pm to Capital Cajun
I had two pinholes in copper in 4 years living in my house, remodeled the upstairs bathroom last October and used uponor. It was so easy to work with, I replaced as much copper as I could without opening up walls in other rooms. Going to do the 2nd full bath this fall and replace everything in it
Pex is so easy to work with, and the runs are much cleaner since you don't need junctions, and you can run a manifold.
Pex is so easy to work with, and the runs are much cleaner since you don't need junctions, and you can run a manifold.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 2:53 pm to SirSaintly
quote:
We're definitely re-piping that line and will probably re-pipe everything under the house
I wouldn't re pipe under the house with Pex unless you had a major issue. Copper is better externally and furthermore its pretty "easy" to access.
If you are building new, certainly pex. If you have a wall open, replace with Pex.
There's really no reason to replace copper unless you have to. I don't think you have to here.
If you were in a slab that would be one thing fwiw.
The leaks don't just happen in the open pipe, its almost always where there is a solder, connection, or a bracket to hold it in place that rubs a hole.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 3:27 pm to baldona
quote:
The leaks don't just happen in the open pipe, its almost always where there is a solder, connection, or a bracket to hold it in place that rubs a hole.
the plumber gave me the broken pipe. it was definitely just in the copper pipe not near a connection of any kind. 60+ yr old house btw. Why not repipe with Pex if I'm willing to spend the $$$ for piece of mind. I'm dealing with new floors/subfloors and insurance company etc. Huge pain in the arse. Don't want to deal with this shite again.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 4:01 pm to baldona
quote:
The leaks don't just happen in the open pipe, its almost always where there is a solder, connection, or a bracket to hold it in place that rubs a hole.
I know this is typically the thought, but both of mine were in the middle of sections of pipe not near a hanger or anything. I know, because both leaks I was able to cut 6x6 holes in the ceiling on the 1st floor and cut out the pinhole and put a shark bite slip fitting on until I did the remodel.
There is actually a big problem with copper pipe pinhole leaks in my town. Plenty of plumbers say its caused by anything including chemicals added to the water supply, bad flux, water pressure too high...
I don't really know what causes them to be so prevalent in my town, but they are
Posted on 6/20/19 at 2:58 pm to SirSaintly
quote:
the plumber gave me the broken pipe. it was definitely just in the copper pipe not near a connection of any kind. 60+ yr old house btw. Why not repipe with Pex if I'm willing to spend the $$$ for piece of mind. I'm dealing with new floors/subfloors and insurance company etc. Huge pain in the arse. Don't want to deal with this shite again.
It sounds like you might have a water condition that is corrosive to copper. It is not overly common but it does happen. I'm not sure if it is specific minerals that cause it or what but I had a client with similar issues in a manufacturing facility in Indiana and Nebraska. If that is indeed the situation, you are probably doing the right thing to replace all the copper you can. It will leak in places you can never inspect.
Posted on 6/20/19 at 2:59 pm to dltigers3
quote:
There is actually a big problem with copper pipe pinhole leaks in my town. Plenty of plumbers say its caused by anything including chemicals added to the water supply, bad flux, water pressure too high...
I don't really know what causes them to be so prevalent in my town, but they are
I should have kept reading...
Your plumber is right. This is a water quality issue and even new copper would have the same problem.
Posted on 6/20/19 at 8:04 pm to notsince98
quote:
It sounds like you might have a water condition that is corrosive to copper.
I was just under the impression that it's old. House is 60+ yrs old and the copper is most probably original. Someone told me copper has a 50 yr life. Could it be this? Either way, I think I'm going with Pex. I'm in Dallas btw, so not sure about the water quality, but pinhole leaks aren't that common around here except for in older homes like mine probably.
Posted on 6/20/19 at 8:08 pm to SirSaintly
I personally wouldn’t do anything that you have access to without a current problem. It’s a 70 year old house how long do you plan on living there? Unless it’s on your main line, it will save you a lot just treating the issues as they arise. I mean sure unless you get one inside a wall. But that doesn’t seem very likely.
I’m honestly asking here, but if your water is eating through copper what is the lifespan on Pex?
I’m honestly asking here, but if your water is eating through copper what is the lifespan on Pex?
Posted on 6/21/19 at 5:46 am to Bedhog
quote:
Use PEX but use professional fittings, not the Gatorbite fittings.
Gatorbite? Not Sharkbite? Anyway, I used sharkbite. Once finished, I pumped up the system to 60psi with water and air. Had a pressure gauge and had let it sit for 24 hours to see it any leaks. No problem, beside the water meter will only give you 40 psi.
Posted on 6/21/19 at 8:22 am to baldona
quote:
I’m honestly asking here, but if your water is eating through copper what is the lifespan on Pex?
PEX isn't as susceptible.
Posted on 6/21/19 at 8:48 am to baldona
quote:
It’s a 70 year old house how long do you plan on living there?
At least another 10 years probably.
quote:
I mean sure unless you get one inside a wall. But that doesn’t seem very likely.
Why wouldn't that seem likely? Apparently, that is also very common.
quote:
Unless it’s on your main line, it will save you a lot just treating the issues as they arise.
I'm seeing rough estimates for replumbing the entire house with PEX at about $3-$4k...That's really not that much for piece of mind.
Posted on 6/21/19 at 9:29 am to SirSaintly
quote:
Why wouldn't that seem likely? Apparently, that is also very common.
Are you getting leaks elsewhere? I'm saying the house is 70 years old. You've had 2 small leaks. Sure it could be "that time" when leaks just start forming, or it may not be. The copper around your water heater could also be newer since the water heater's not 70 years old.
There's nothing wrong with spending the $3-4000. But there's always something that could be done to your house for $3000-4000 for additional piece of mind. That's all I'm saying. Plus, if you get a leak in your walls its likely covered by homeowners insurance. If you sleep better, money well spent. I just don't think its a necessary thing to do without knowing for a fact you have an issue.
I'd also like to see some evidence not by a Pex company that the chemical or mineral in the water eating through copper is not going to eat through PEX. Pex is great, but let's see PEX last 70 years in those same conditions before we rant and rave about it.
Posted on 6/21/19 at 9:32 am to baldona
Another word of advice about PEX, is that everytime I've seen it installed in renovations the guys don't do it like its built to do. PEX ideally is made to have as few connections as possible between the source and the outlet. Most renovation plumbing is done for ease of use, and they will use connections all over the place. Sure these connections are "stronger" then the PEX. But its still better to have as much continuous PEX as possible.
When going through walls and in and around stuff, its a lot of times easier to cut shorter sections and use a bunch of fittings. I've been there and done it both ways.
When going through walls and in and around stuff, its a lot of times easier to cut shorter sections and use a bunch of fittings. I've been there and done it both ways.
Posted on 6/22/19 at 10:51 am to SirSaintly
If you had "pin holes" on the HW line most likely it is an erosion issue from the piping undersized and excessive velocity on hot water causes these pin holes.
I would never dare use any thermoplastic on a potable system as I want my accounts to have a long healthy life
Check out greenpeace and other publications about carcinogenic effects of toxins from plastics leaching into the potable water supply. IMHO
Good luck
I would never dare use any thermoplastic on a potable system as I want my accounts to have a long healthy life
Check out greenpeace and other publications about carcinogenic effects of toxins from plastics leaching into the potable water supply. IMHO
Good luck
This post was edited on 6/22/19 at 10:54 am
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