PEX Tubing Vs. Copper

PEX tubings are cheaper and thus, they are supposed to be the first preference while you are either renovating or installing new pipes in your house. You, like everyone, wants something which will be good but at the same time, inexpensive. But still, the people who are helping you set up the pipes, insist that you use copper tubings instead of PEX. There may be many reasons why the plumber is asking you to use copper pipes and not PEX tubings. There are some difference between the two and weighing the pros and the cons, the plumbers comes to a decision.

A Comparison

Why the plumbers are insisting you to use copper pipes rather than PEX, despite the latter being cheaper and new in the market, will be clearer to you once you know what is the difference between PEX tubing and copper. Then, even you can measure the pros and cons and understand what is good for you.

PEX Tubing
This tubing is a cross link between high density polyethylene polymer. This tubing has been used in Europe since the 1970s came to US for the first time in 1980s. PEX reduces the constant water knocking sound that you hear in a copper pipe. Also during PEX pipe installation, not much effort is needed. They weigh less, hence they can be carried around easily. During winter, when the water freezes, these tubings can contract and expand, hence the pipes do not burst due to freezing of water. If you are using the tubing, then you do not have to worry about any residue formation inside the pipe as the PEX pipes reduce the chance of lime and minerals from settling in the water pipe. In PEX tubings, the process of electrolysis does not take place hence, the pipe does not get tiny holes on its body, which happens in the case of metallic pipes. Also, if you are worried that thieves might steal away your PEX tubes, then do not worry. This is because thieves would rather take a metallic pipe rather than a PEX one. And when it comes to cost, the price of the PEX is pretty cheap compared to metallic pipes; also less labor is needed to fix a PEX tube rather than a metallic tube. Unfortunately, you cannot use PEX tubes outside as the harmful UV rays of the sun breaks down this kind of material which might causes plumbing problems. Thus, this is one of the PEX pipe problems which metallic pipes does not face.

Copper Tubings
Let us now see some facts about copper pipes. For years, people have been using this pipe. Why plumbers use this pipe still and not PEX is because they are more comfortable with this pipe. They are sturdy and dependable and can withstand several problems. You won't find a single bacteria growing in copper pipes as they are biostatic, that is, they resist the growth of bacteria inside the pipes. You can also fit these pipes in narrow places, and they are also resistant to fire and moreover, they can be used outdoors. However, they are more expensive than the PEX tubings thus, some people prefer to go for PEX. Also, these copper pipes get corroded very easily. Hence, the water coming from a corroded pipe may have a metallic taste in it. And sometimes, when the water inside the pipe freezes or heats up, the pipe does not expand nor contract. Hence, the pipe may either burst or leak, causing other problems. The weight of these pipes is more than that of PEX tubings. Thus, they become a bit difficult to carry around.

Given above were the comparison between the PEX tubing vs copper. Going through it, it's up to you to decide which pipe you want to use, which pipe will last you a lifetime, which will cause you less problems, which will pinch your pocket less and so on. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that always go for the best, no matter what the cost is. These are an asset which will last you for a long time.