06/28/2021
PEX Pipes vs. Copper Pipes: Which is Better for My Property?
Copper pipes and PEX pipes are two of the most common pipe materials for your water supply lines.
Both have been used for decades and different homeowners will attest to their individual strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, it can be difficult to assess which one is the best option for your home or property.
In this article, we’ll explore the options for your plumbing system and the advantages and disadvantages of both.
But first, here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons when it comes to PEX vs copper:
PEX Pipes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
PEX tubing minimizes the need for connectors since it’s so flexible. Connection sites have the highest potential of leaks in your plumbing system, so fewer PEX fittings leads to less risks of leaks. | Cannot be used outside/will break under UV rays. Ultraviolet rays are capable of breaking down the molecular structure that holds PEX pipes together. Exposing PEX pipes to UV rays, such as sunlight, causes the pipe to become brittle and eventually rupture. |
Cheaper and easier to install or repair. The price of PEX pipes itself are cheaper than copper pipes. If you hire a professional, the labor cost will also be lower given how quick and easy it is to install PEX pipes. | Rodents can eat through them. Since PEX pipes aren’t as hard as metal, it’s possible for rodents to chew through your PEX pipes. Rodents are more likely to attack the pipes after hearing the sound of rushing water. |
DIY-friendly. PEX pipes are highly flexible and can bend easily to fit in your corners. Combined with readily available connectors, PEX piping is easier to install on your own than copper piping. | More susceptible to contamination. Water contamination caused by PEX tubing can come from both the material of the tube itself and any chemical materials in the surrounding area. |
| Warranty issues. Warranty usually covers defective pipes that cause premature deterioration and leakage. However, claiming your warranty may be hard to do as most warranties don’t cover aggressive water conditions, the cause of most failure in PEX pipes. |
Copper Pipes
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| On average, they have a longer lifespan. Copper pipes can last for over 50 years in their ideal environment. Although, we have seen copper failures in as little as 5 years. | More expensive. The cost of mining and processing the copper causes the price of copper pipes to be significantly higher than PEX pipes. Factor in additional costs to pay for experts with proficiency in soldering copper pipes and considering the complexity of the project, the labor cost will be higher. |
| Lightweight and highly flexible. While still not as flexible as PEX pipes, copper pipes are still lighter and more flexible than most. | May add a metallic flavor to water. The metal content in the copper pipes may produce an unpleasant metallic taste in your drinking water. This happens especially if the pipes are old. |
| Environmentally friendly. Copper pipes are 100% recyclable. You can even sell your scrap copper pipes since it can be remade into other copper-based equipment. | Very susceptible to corrosion due to water chemistry. While copper is naturally stable, contact with contaminated water and chloramines in the water will make your copper pipe corrode quickly. In addition, interaction with any type of mineral or electric components can cause electrolysis, leading to pinhole leaks and corrosion. |
PEX Pipes vs. Copper Pipes
Now that you know all about the advantages and disadvantages of using copper and PEX pipes, let’s dive deeper into some of the most frequent deciding factors when picking between PEX and copper pipes.
Let’s Review
PEX Pipes
Cross-linked polyethylene tubing (commonly known as PEX), made its debut in the US in the 1980s for radiant heating applications. After its introduction to the plumbing system, PEX pipes quickly became a popular choice for homeowners and professional plumbers.
The main advantages of PEX pipes, when compared to the older copper pipes, are its flexibility and much cheaper price. PEX pipes are also color-coded, with blue signaling cold water, red for hot water, etc. Although, the colors only help users organize PEX plumbing systems and don’t affect the specification or function of the tubes themselves.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipes, on the other hand, started to gain traction over other alternatives in the 1970s. After replacing other metal pipes that leach dangerous chemicals (such as lead), copper pipes quickly became the go-to pipe material for water supply channels. Compared to PEX plumbing, copper plumbing is much sturdier and typically has a longer lifespan.
Average Lifespan
In its ideal environment, PEX tubing can last for up to 50 years. PEX tends to degrade much quicker compared to copper pipes. However, copper pipes are also known to see failures or pinhole leaks as early as 5 years.
Average Cost
The price of copper pipes is known to be 3x more expensive than PEX pipes. According to HomeAdvisor, repiping a house with PEX pipes will cost approximately $7,500 for the average-sized home.
Copper systems, conversely, cost around $3 to $5 per foot; a repair or repipe job with copper pipes can cost you anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.
However, copper pipes are known to be 100% recyclable and you can sell your scrap pipes.
Sustainability
As we’ve mentioned, copper pipes are recyclable, while PEX pipes can only be repurposed.
Similar to other plastic pipes, burning PEX pipes release toxic fumes. They need to be pulverized into sand-like substances so they can be reused for fittings. However, the process of mining and manufacturing copper pipes is high impact compared to manufacturing PEX pipes.
On the other hand, PEX pipes can maintain the temperature of water flowing through the pipes and make your plumbing system more efficient when carrying water from your water heater. Copper pipes waste more energy since copper is a conductive material that is easily affected by ambient temperature.
Installation
PEX pipes are popular among DIYers and professionals since it’s fairly simple to install. The flexible tubing eliminates the need for most connectors or a master plumber. Even when you need to modify the tube, you don’t need to bring out heavy-duty tools to cut through the pipe. There are also crimp rings available to connect PEX pipes into brass fittings, so it’s easy to use for plumbing projects.
Copper pipes, on the other hand, require soldering to join pipes and fittings in order to access all of the plumbing fixture locations. Fittings for copper pipes are also available, but bad or improper installation can result in leaks which will speed up the degradation of your copper pipes.
Why ePIPE Solutions Are the Best For Your Property
PEX pipes and copper pipes are both viable options for your water supply line. While PEX pipes are easier to install, cheaper, and more flexible, copper pipes are sturdier and tend to have a longer lifespan.
PEX pipes are best used indoors since they degrade quickly under intense sunlight, but it’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to minimize leaks and energy consumption.
Copper pipes can be used indoors and outdoors, since it’s stronger than PEX pipes, and still a common pipe you often find in residential areas. However, there are still many problems associated with copper pipes. Failures such as pinhole leaks and water chemistry can easily corrode copper pipes and shorten its lifespan.
If you’re looking for longevity and a 360-degree solution, we recommend using ePIPE to support your water pipes. ePIPE prevents leaks and corrosion for your PEX or copper pipes by coating it with an approved epoxy barrier coating.
Get in touch if you’d like to take advantage of our ePIPE system to prevent leaks in your plumbing systems without the fuss or high expense of traditional plumbing repairs!
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