Pex vs. Copper Reiping. Pros & Cons

Pros and Cons of PEX Piping and Copper Piping

In case you are just like the rest of us non-plumbers, then there's a good chance that you don't know which plumbing pipe is better. You may not even know what a PEX pipe is. Relax: Not many individuals do. We're not plumbers, but perhaps it's time that we enhance our basic knowledge so that we understand what we are getting and whether it is something we truly want. As soon as you know the basic principles, you'll feel more comfortable to find a plumber that will help you with your piping needs.

At the moment you're most likely wondering just what PEX piping is. Well, its cross-linked polyethylene pipe. After going through several procedures, the material becomes durable for intense temperatures (hot or cold), slow deformation which happens from long-term exposure to stress, and chemical attack from acids, alkalis and the like. All of this makes PEX an excellent piping material for hot and cold water systems, especially since PEX is flexible and well adapted for temperatures below freezing all the way up to 200 Fahrenheit.

As mentioned above, PEX is an excellent plumbing material as it is flexible and easy for plumbers to install. PEX is additionally resistant to break in cold temperature and it has a lesser number of fittings, driving your costs down.

Since copper piping has existed for decades, we realize that the metal is durable and flexible, making it simple to install especially compared to iron pipes. Copper piping also provides a biostatic atmosphere, causing it to be hard for bacteria to cultivate inside of it, that is certainly a vital health consideration.

Copper also resists corrosion and is unaffected by ultraviolet rays, which means it can be used for outside needs. This is unlike PEX pipes, which are affected by ultraviolet rays and therefore is not recommended to be used outside. Nonetheless, copper can corrode due to the pH of your water if it is too acidic. But given it corrodes doesn't mean that the water is bad for you. Try to think of it this way: the Pacific Northwest region of the US and, of course, Canada, has some of the best drinking water on this planet, but that same water has a corrosive effect on your pipes.

And so the choice involving PEX and copper is purely yours, but keep in mind a few of the pros and cons of each system before you decide.

Some Advantages of PEX Are:

1. Versatile and user - friendly plumbing system
2. Can be used with hot and cold water
3. Can also be used with metallic and PVC piping
4. PEX has a smaller amount of fittings, causing it to be quicker to install and with a reduced amount of a chance to leak
5. PEX is more burst-resistant due to its flexibility to expand and shrink
6. PEX can have a pressure controlled system
7. Because it is versatile, the pipes can be bent around many corners and usually will likely not require a coupling or fitting

PEX Has A few Drawbacks that You Should be Aware Of:

1. It cannot be applied outside
2. Cannot be recycled, because of its shorter life use
3. It provides an impermeable membrane that could possibly allow the possibility of water contamination
4. The pipes may be damaged if kept outside for an extended time

The pros of Copper Are:

1. Long lasting and flexible, causing it to be simple to install
2. Safer in natural disasters
3. Climate and bacteria-resistant
4. Resists corrosion, more so than other metals
5. Unaffected by ultraviolet rays, so it can be applied outside
6. Copper does not release toxic gases in a fire because it resists burning
7. In earthquakes, the slightly flexible pipes flex so they don't snap
8. Copper is recyclable, making it a more sound ecological choice

Copper Piping Also Has Disadvantages that should be considered:

1. Can corrode
2. Has become expensive
3. With higher quantities of copper from decay, water may have a metallic taste
4. Copper can freeze solid and break during cold weather

Compare the prices of PEX and copper piping to help understand the differences between the two.

We hope this provides those non-plumbing homeowners or business owners a fundamental knowledge and understanding of the difference between PEX piping and copper piping.

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