If you’re thinking whether to use pex instead of copper piping in your home, you should weight the pros and cons of each before deciding on the lucky pipes that’ll be the new addition to your home. Here is what you need to know:
Copper Piping
Advantages
- Easy to install
- Bacteria can’t grow in copper pipes
- No risk of led poisoning (lead isn’t used in the manufacturing of copper pipes)
- Very durable; made to resist corrosion and other damage (such as damage caused by plant eating insects)
- Safe (unlike CPVC, or plastic pipes, copper pipes don’t burn so no toxic gases are releases in case of a fire)
Drawbacks
- More expensive than plastic
- Not for all water systems (suited for water that has a pH between 6.5 and 8.5)
- Not suited for water that comes from wells (best suited for city water supply)
PEX Piping
Advantages
- Cheaper than copper pipes
- Greater water pressure at the sinks, showers and toilet
- Easier than copper to install
- Reliable (PEX pipes don’t corrode)
- Long lasting ( life expectancy of PEX is 50 years)
- Good for the environment
Drawbacks
- Can be pierced by plant-eating insects. This can result in leakage.
- Can be damaged by sunlight
- Fittings might be more expensive
- Possible health effects (In early 2000 there were health concerns in California about chemicals getting into the water, either through the piping or from the materials of the piping. However, an environment impact report and later studies found there to be no causes for concern about public health from the use of PEX piping.)
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