Pros and Cons of PEX Plumbing

Depending on who you ask about PEX plumbing, you’re liable to hear anything from glowing reviews to tales of terror. All these conflicting opinions are a nightmare to sift through when choosing materials for house repiping or plumbing installation projects.

The truth is that all plumbing materials involve trade-offs, and understanding the pros and cons is vital to picking the best option for your home. You need clear, accurate, reliable information grounded in common sense and real-world experience — and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing has you covered.

What Is PEX Plumbing?

PEX (or cross-linked polyethylene, if you’re feeling fancy) is a type of plastic tubing that’s both highly flexible and extremely durable. It’s non-corrosive and resistant to heat, pressure and chemicals, making it well-suited for hot and cold water lines, radiant heating systems and other applications.

While it’s occasionally been used in homes and businesses since the ’70s, PEX has surged in popularity since the turn of the millennium. Thanks to its low cost, performance and ease of installation, about 60% of new plumbing installations today use PEX piping.

Types of PEX Pipes

All PEX pipes must meet the same basic standards and specifications, but they can have distinctly different properties depending on how they’re produced. We’ll spare you the boring details, but the upshot is that there are three main types of PEX you need to know:

• PEX-A is most expensive, but it’s also the most flexible and easiest to repair.
• PEX-B is most common, offering a great balance between price and performance.
• PEX-C is typically cheapest but is less flexible and more susceptible to cracking.

How Long Does PEX Plumbing Last?

New PEX plumbing installations are good for at least 40 to 50 years on average. The lifespan of your pipes ultimately depends on a variety of important factors, including:

• Installation: A long-lasting plumbing system requires expert installation using proper materials and best practices.
• Water Quality: Excessive hardness or chlorine content in your water may wear out PEX pipes prematurely.
• PEX Type: While PEX-A and PEX-B offer similar longevity in most conditions, PEX-C is stiffer and more vulnerable to oxidation.
• UV Exposure: Any PEX pipes exposed to UV rays will degrade over time, becoming brittle and prone to cracking.

Pros of PEX Plumbing

Wondering why PEX piping has proven to be such a hit with homeowners and plumbers alike? It’s easy to see when you lay out the advantages it has to offer:

1. Affordable Pricing

Not only are they substantially cheaper than comparable copper lines, but PEX pipes require fewer specialized tools and fittings. That makes working with them much less labor-intensive, saving you serious money on installation and replacement costs.

2. Simplified Installation

Speaking of installations, PEX pipes are ideal for putting in plumbing quickly with minimal disruption. They can conveniently bend around corners and span long gaps without added fittings, making it a breeze to run new lines even in hard-to-reach places. They’re also conveniently color-coded, letting you identify individual lines at a glance.

3. Smooth and Quiet Operation

In plumbing systems with metal pipes, sudden changes in water pressure can create shock waves that produce loud banging noises — a phenomenon known as water hammer. Since PEX pipes are less rigid than metal, they can expand and accommodate these pressure changes more easily, greatly reducing the risk of water hammer.

4. Flexibility and Corrosion Resistance

Unlike copper or cast iron, PEX is effectively immune to rusting, pitting and other forms of corrosion. What’s more, it’s flexible enough to withstand repeated cycles of expansion and contraction without weakening. This natural elasticity comes in especially clutch in cold weather, helping to prevent pipes from bursting if the water inside them freezes.

5. Energy-Efficient Hot Water

With utility rates pushing all-time highs, every bit of energy you can save makes a difference. Luckily, PEX pipes have very low thermal conductivity, which means your hot water stays hot and your water heater wastes less energy.

Cons of PEX Plumbing

Alas, all plumbing materials have their downsides, and PEX tubing is no exception. Potential drawbacks and complications to be aware of include:

1. Sensitivity to UV Light

While PEX plumbing stands up extremely well to corrosion, chemicals and other threats, it has a rather unlikely kryptonite: sunlight. More specifically, prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can make PEX brittle and fragile. As such, it should never be used outdoors or in other areas open to sunlight.

2. Poor Fire Resistance

No one ever plans on experiencing a house fire, but if you do, it’s unlikely any PEX pipes in the affected area will survive. In fact, PEX tubing is combustible and may burn or melt fairly quickly in a major fire, requiring a full replacement.

3. Damage From Pests

Munching on plastic pipes may not sound appealing to you, but it’s a popular pastime for rats, squirrels and other rodents. These furry critters constantly gnaw on things to keep their ever-growing teeth in check, and PEX plumbing makes a great chew toy. Determined rodents can chomp through water lines and create leaks, so vigilant pest control is essential.

4. Not Easily Recyclable

Producing PEX pipes is more eco-friendly than you might think, but disposing of them is another matter entirely. They’re harder to recycle than most other forms of plastic, so they usually end up dumped in a landfill. Conversely, copper piping can be fully recycled without much effort.

5. Chemical Contamination

There’s some evidence to suggest PEX pipes can leach certain chemicals that may affect the taste, smell and quality of drinking water. This is a complicated and important topic that we’ll break down in more detail below.

PEX vs. Copper vs. PVC: Which Is Best?

Selecting the right pipes can make or break a plumbing project — sometimes literally! — so think carefully about which materials best meet your needs. Here’s how the most popular options stack up:

Is PEX Plumbing Safe for Drinking Water?

Although PEX pipes are ideal for most applications, some homeowners understandably worry they may leach BPA or other chemicals into drinking water. Testing has shown that PEX may indeed impact water quality in some cases, although it’s not clear if there are any harmful health effects.

To minimize these risks, drinking water systems should only use PEX pipes produced by reputable manufacturers and independently certified to meet NSF/ANSI standards. These standards are designed to strictly limit a wide array of potentially unhealthy contaminants, including BPA and lead.

FAQs About PEX Plumbing

Is PEX better than copper?

Yes and no. It’s much more affordable, easier to work with and offers more protection against hard or overly acidic water. However, copper can last nearly twice as long and won’t be damaged if a rogue rat or squirrel breaks into your home.

Can PEX pipes burst?

Burst pipes are always a possibility in freezing temperatures, but they’re far less likely with PEX. Its superior flexibility allows pipes to expand as water freezes, alleviating stress without breaking or creating weak spots.

Where should PEX not be used?

Never run PEX pipes outdoors or in other places that receive direct sunlight. In addition, leave plenty of clearance around furnaces, gas flues and other household heat sources.

How much does PEX plumbing cost to install?

In terms of materials, PEX piping costs between $0.40 and $2 per linear foot — roughly $600 to $3,000 for an average-sized home. Labor costs typically range from $1,500 to $3,100, totaling around $2,100 to $6,100 for a full repiping project.

Key Takeaways

• PEX is very durable and lasts up to 50 years
• It’s easier and less expensive to install than copper
• Keep away from sunlight, rodents and excessive heat
• Be aware of possible water quality issues
• For most homes, PEX is an ideal budget-friendly plumbing solution

Call the Punctual Plumbers Today!

Whatever you need, you’ll find it here at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. Based locally in Birmingham, AL, our punctual plumbers are proud to provide fast, friendly, high-quality plumbing services throughout the Magic City and surrounding communities.

Call anytime for expert advice and affordable solutions, including PEX plumbing installations, whole-house repiping and more.