What is better, Copper pipe or PEX tubing for new construction water lines, and Why?

Answer 1

Would have to say that copper piping is far superior to pex, or cpvc anyday! Copper may cost more than the other two but in the long run it will save you many hassels and repairs that will come along with pex or cpvc. Copper is rigid and will not expand and contract lik the other two will. Copper will give you an average of 30 to 50 yrs of service if done properly. It is also not prone to vermin chewing on the lines and is much easier to thaw if frozen. When pex needs repair bulkier fittings are required making the access holes cut to fix it much larger and much more unorderly in the walls. Copper will not break as easy and can take a brush by a nail or screw from a picture hanging expedition, where palstic tubing will pierce easily. Pex and cpvc become brittle and can suffer from cracks, kinks and collapsing that copper will not do. Copper will hold valves and hose bibbs, etc. stiff in place and is alot less prone to breakage from being bumped or pulled on. I could list alot of things but I will just tell you that in my experience of commercial and residential building, copper has many more advantages that are not shared by pex or cpvc.

Answer 2

Copper Vs Pex

Answer 3

Pex Vs Copper

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is better, Copper pipe or PEX tubing for new construction water lines, and Why?

Answer 5

I recently had to replace the old galvanized pipes in my house. My plumber eft it up to me wether to use copper or pex. I went with copper for a majority of it, but something I used Pex because it was easier to snake the pex through the walls.. so...

everyone said it was a personal preference, and that they both are good choices. Pex is cheaper, but the tools to install it are quite expensive and some plumbers are not familiar with it. Copper is very expensive, but any plumber can install it and the installation will be less.

Answer 6

copper is the best way to go in my opinion. proven track record, pex is still relatively new. The guy with the "corrosive" water, if it was/is that corrosive that it will eat the walls out of copper tubing and you have city water, you may want to get with your neighbors and file a class action lawsuit against your local water department. If the chlorine in your water will eat copper 1/2 the country is going to need repairs.

Copper isn't schedule 40, type M has the red lettering, type L has the blue lettering, and type K has green. Most houses have type M.

Pex is the cheaper way to go no doubt, but remember the old saying of you get what you pay for.

Answer 7

Copper is more expensive as a material and also as an installation by a plumber. The new plastic tube is supposedly better by spec but time will tell. It is certainly easier to install since you can 'bend' and/or feed it almost as easily as wiring. No 90 degree curves, they have fittings for that but it is a flexible solution. The tool to crimp costs about $400 so the DIY guy may stay away but...
I think the answer to your question is unfortunately controlled by cost now. If you decide on copper, you may end up paying extra for the job and that's only if the builder gives you an option. If it's a reno or addition job on an existing structure, you will have more directional control over the plumber and the spec of your job.

Answer 8

Caleb mentions grey PEX, I suspect s/he may be thinking of polybutylene, aka "Qest". I actually installed that in one of my own homes about 20 years ago. It has a troubled history; first the fittings (which were actually made of some other plastic) took to cracking; they switched to copper fittings (which is what I used). Then the tubing itself took to cracking. Then they gave up and switched to PEX. I don't know much about PEX.

Answer 9

PEX is cheaper/easier to install and you generally don't need many fittings. But due to the flexible nature of the pipe, it can rub as the water is turned on and off and cause a leak.
I prefer good old copper pipe for it's durability.

Answer 10

I spent some time in front of the computer for some good information about PEX or copper, and I found this article here very useful: http://www.miconstruguia.com/en/how-to-install-pex/. Hope this works for you too.