Copper has long been the material of choice for plumbing pipes because it is extremely durable and can withstand high temperatures, but more affordable PEX piping has become a popular alternative in recent years. PEX piping costs less to buy and is easier to install, but is it as good as copper? That’s a question that you will likely ask yourself sooner or later, so let’s break it down.
What Is PEX Piping
Cross-linked polyethylene, which is commonly called PEX, was invented in the United States in the late 1960s. PEX is made by connecting the polymer molecules in polyethylene, which results in a more durable and flexible material. These qualities make PEX an excellent material for water piping, but the substance is also used to insulate high-voltage cables and make a wide range of household products.
PEX Piping Is Easier to Install
PEX piping has become extremely popular because it is so easy to install. PEX pipes can bend without cracking or buckling, which makes it possible to run a pipe all the way to an outlet without any connections or splices. PEX is also sold in large rolls, so installers do not have to couple lengths of straight pipe together to create a long run. When sections of PEX pipe have to be connected, simple compression fittings that are pushed into place can be used.
Installing copper piping is far more labor-intensive. Copper piping is sold in 10 or 12-foot lengths, so making a long run involves joining multiple pieces of pipe together. This is done by soldering or gluing, and it takes time and skill. Turns and bends are also more challenging when working with copper because elbows are needed, and that means more gluing and soldering.
Copper Piping Lasts Longer
Copper is a more durable material than PEX, which is why many people still consider the metal to be the gold standard for water piping. Copper pipes that are properly maintained should last for at least 50 years. PEX pipes last for between 25 and 40 years.
PEX Piping Costs Less
Choosing PEX instead of copper piping will probably lower the cost of a major plumbing project considerably. A single 12-foot length of copper pipe costs about as much as 100 feet of PEX piping, and copper pipes cost a lot more to install.
Copper Piping Can Tolerate Higher Temperatures and Pressures
Copper can withstand high pressures and temperatures because it is a pure metal. The water pressure in a normal home plumbing system is between 30 and 50 psi. Copper pipes can handle pressures of up to 1,000 psi. PEX piping is more than durable enough to handle the pressures of residential plumbing, but it is not nearly as strong as copper. Copper pipes can also be connected to hot water tanks because they are not bothered by high temperatures. PEX piping cannot tolerate temperatures higher than 180 degrees Fahrenheit, so it should not be connected directly to hot water tanks.
PEX Piping Is Easier to Maintain
Copper does not rust, but it does corrode. If you have ever seen blue stains around the plug in a tub or sink, they were probably caused by copper corrosion. Copper is also susceptible to lime scale buildup, which can cause water pressures to drop. These are problems that homeowners with PEX piping do not have to worry about. PEX does not corrode, and it is resistant to lime scale buildup.
Copper Piping Is Better for Outdoor Applications
PEX is fast becoming the preferred material for indoor water piping, but it is rarely used in outdoor applications because it is highly susceptible to the sun’s UV rays. When PEX piping is used outdoors, it is either buried or shielded from the sun. Copper is naturally resistant to UV rays, so it can be used outdoors with no special precautions.
PEX Piping Is Less Likely to Burst in Freezing Temperatures
PEX is a more flexible material than copper, and that makes it much less likely to split when it is exposed to freezing temperatures. A single freeze-thaw cycle is sometimes enough to make copper pipes split and burst, but PEX pipes can withstand multiple cycles. Ice in a residential plumbing system is bad news regardless of the piping material, so pipes should be drained if a home is going to be empty and unheated for a prolonged time.
PEX Is Better for the Environment
PEX is considered a more environmentally friendly material than copper for several reasons. The materials used to make PEX are byproducts of oil and natural gas processing, so no extra energy is used to obtain them. Copper has to be mined or recycled, and both of those processes use a lot of energy. Making pipes out of PEX is also less energy intensive than making them out of copper.
PEX Is an Insulator
Copper is a conductor, which means water that travels through pipes made out of it will lose heat. PEX has insulation properties, so it prevents hot water from cooling down. When experts crunched the numbers, they found that PEX pipes require about 15% less energy to maintain a desired hot water temperature.
Ask an Expert
Choosing between PEX and copper piping can be difficult because both materials have advantages and disadvantages. Most experts agree that PEX piping is superior because it is less expensive, easier to install, and requires less maintenance, but copper is a tried and trusted material that has been used to make water pipes since ancient times. If you are wondering what kind of pipes to install or have any other plumbing-related questions, you can call the friendly experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. We have been serving homeowners in the Daytona area for almost 30 years, and we are ready to help you.