Are you intending to install or replace your home’s plumbing pipes? You’ve definitely heard that PEX or PVC plastic pipes are competing with copper for popularity, but what precisely are they? Which is better for your home: PEX or PVC?
PEX pipes are used in many domestic plumbing systems to supply hot and cold water. “Crosslinked polyethylene” is what PEX stands for. Melting high-density polyethylene and extruding it into a tube is how PEX pipe is made. Although this material was just introduced to the United States 40 years ago, it is quickly gaining popularity.
- Simple to set up. PEX pipes are more flexible than PVC pipes, making them easier to install. Because PEX can flex to accommodate changes in direction, your plumber will have to make fewer connections. What does the payoff look like for you? There are fewer possible sources of plumbing leaks. Cold expansion rings or crimp fittings will be used to make the few connections that are still required. With PVC pipes, there is no need for adhesive, which can leech into the water.
- Metal pipes are compatible. PEX is preferable than PVC when connecting to copper or other metal pipes because crosslinked polyethylene does not corrode.
- Resistance to freezing. It resists freezing (again, thanks to its flexibility, which allows the diameter of PEX piping to expand when water pressure varies). In layman’s terms, this means you’re less prone to have burst pipes.
- Quiet. The problem of noisy plumbing caused by water hammer is no longer a problem with PEX piping. (While metal pipes are the most prevalent source of water hammer, PVC pipes can also make unusual banging noises.)
- To ensure that PEX plumbing pipes are safe for potable water, they must be certified according to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for drinking water safety.
- Price. When the material costs of PEX and PVC are compared, PEX comes out on top. (However, take into account the cheaper labor cost of installing PEX.)
- Intolerance to ultraviolet light. Because PEX cannot withstand exposure to sunshine, its applications are limited. It’s OK for inside your home, but you won’t be able to discover PEX plumbing above ground if you’re installing it outside.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) “PVC (“polyvinyl chloride”), a low-cost thermoplastic, is extensively used for drain, waste, and vent (DWV) piping in homes. CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride “Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride,” a product created from chlorinated PVC resin, is similar to PEX in that it is utilized for hot and cold water distribution.
- Longevity. PVC is expected to last 50-70 years or more, but PEX is expected to last 40-50 years.
- Outdoor safety is important. PVC piping can be used outdoors, even above ground, if the exterior is painted with a water-based paint.
- Eco-friendliness. Unlike PEX, old PVC pipe can be recycled when its useful life has passed.
- The risk of a leak is higher. Due to the rigid nature of PVC tubing, every connection will necessitate the use of an elbow. This increases the likelihood of plumbing leaks. If your PVC pipes freeze, you could end up with cracked pipes.
- Temperature restrictions Because PVC plumbing pipe is not approved for usage above 140 degrees Fahrenheit by the ASTM, it can only be used for DWV piping. Install CPVC, which is safe to 200 degrees F, for applications involving hot water (bathroom or kitchen sinks, showers, etc.).
Copper pipes have long been a popular choice for household plumbing because of their strength, ability to withstand high temperatures, and suitability for outdoor use. Copper plumbing pipes can develop pinhole leaks or corrosion accumulation, which is a disadvantage. Furthermore, not all plumbers are skilled or willing to work with copper. The most concerning issue is that copper consumption from drinking water or other sources has been related to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Material Does Not Work Outside in Freezing Temperature Climates
PEX plumbing is fine inside a home’s walls, regardless of the temperature, because it can be insulated. However, one of the drawbacks of PEX plumbing is that it cannot be utilized outside in cold areas because there is no way to cover it and protect it from the elements.
Rodents Like the Plastic Pipes
Your neighborhood may have a rule prohibiting the usage of PEX pipes, depending on where you live. This is common in rural areas and towns, where garbage can attract a significant number of rats.
The rats then try to get into the house by chewing through pipes like these. The good news is that you may get rid of mice before they cause too much harm by hiring a professional. If you have an issue in your neighborhood, this is something to consider.
Some Pex Types Have Had Issues
Although it is not completely established, some professionals dislike Pex because it is too similar to polybutylene. Finally, because Pex is still relatively new, it has time to establish itself as a reliable piping system.
Is it possible to run electricity and water through the same conduit?
Whether you’re updating your house’s current wiring or installing a new system that requires a wire to be run from the attic or basement, you’ll almost certainly come across a hole through which a plumbing pipe passes. Construction workers drill holes for water lines and electrical wires separately when a house is built, but it isn’t required for your wiring to slide neatly through the holes.
When this happens, a typical question is whether or not it is safe to run plumbing and electrical wiring through the same hole. Should you use metallic or nonmetallic wires to pass these holes through? What does the law say about it?
If you’re not running a bare or damaged copper wire near to steel pipes, you can definitely run wires next to plumbing cables. You can run plumbing and electrical lines through the same hole according to the code, but you must ensure that the wire is securely insulated and that there is no risk of rupture. Experts, on the other hand, advise against doing so. Take a look at why.
What is the expected lifespan of PEX?
Copper pipes last longer than PEX pipes. While PEX piping can last 30 to 50 years, copper piping can survive up to two decades longer, with a typical lifespan of 50 to 70 years.
Copper is a more long-lasting choice that is resistant to rodents and sunlight. Water pressures of up to 1,000 psi are no problem for these pipes. They can handle both hot and cold weather.
Copper pipes are an environmentally responsible choice because the metal is 100% recyclable once they’ve served their purpose. Copper pipes are also free of some of the chemicals that are included in PEX pipes.
Which is less expensive, PEX or PVC?
Whatever you require a pipe for, PEX or PVC is nearly certain to satisfy your requirements. Depending on the quality or grade of piping you choose, the cost of these two solutions can be somewhat different. Each of these solutions has a somewhat varying lifespan, which should be taken into account when calculating the price.
PVC piping is often the best choice for home projects and crafts where it will not be used for drinking water. PVC pipes are easy to come by and are by far the most affordable option. Cheap PEX pipe can be as cheap as CPVC, while more expensive varieties can be nearly as expensive as copper pipes.
PEX pipes have a lifespan of 40-50 years, which is nearly as long as copper pipes. When preserved in the appropriate conditions, PVC has a very long life, sometimes up to 70 years.
It can also be recycled once its useful life has ended, however lengthy that may be, which is not the case with PEX pipes. CPVC, on the other hand, requires replacement every 20-25 years and is more expensive than PVC.
Another cost consideration is the location of the pipes and how difficult or easy they will be to install. It will be far more expensive to replace pipes that are in a wall, for example, than if they are not. That section of the wall will have to be removed and then reconstructed.
Is it possible for PEX to freeze and burst?
According to the insurance industry, nearly a quarter-million households experience property damage each year as a result of broken supply pipes, many of which are caused by freeze occurrences. PEX has the ability to outperform stiff plumbing materials like copper or hard PVC. PEX has a little margin of expansion under the harmful pressure induced by ice formation due to its flexibility (polymers).
PEX pipes, like any other plumbing, can and will freeze if the weather gets cold enough. PEX, on the other hand, may be less likely to burst as a result of freezing. Manufacturers, on the other hand, will not guarantee that the product will not burst due to freezing.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS
1. Are you currently designing your home? If at all possible, run PEX piping through interior rather than external walls.
2. When the temperature outside drops below 20 degrees, keep rooms at 55 degrees or higher.
What are the drawbacks of PEX pipe?
The most significant disadvantage of PEX is that it is impossible to predict how well or how long it will perform. While PEX piping is guaranteed for up to 25 years, it’s unclear what will happen to it as time passes. It’s difficult to predict what water will do to the plastic over the next 30 years because it’s so new. Another disadvantage is that all plumbers must be certified to operate with PEX and appropriately install it, or the warranty would be worthless. This could make finding a good plumber more difficult. Allied, fortunately, specializes in replacing existing PEX plumbing with new PEX plumbing.
Because pipe is so critical to a home, it’s crucial to have all the information you need to make the greatest choice for your home. While both have benefits and drawbacks, at the end of the day, there are a lot of aspects that go into making the right decision for your home!
Do mice consume PEX?
Mice and rats can eat everything, including plastic, so PEX tubing is just as vulnerable as plastic-coated wiring in a car or an HVAC unit. While all mouse damage is costly, rodents chewing through PEX water pipes in a home can be disastrous. Water and building materials don’t mix, and the pressure in water-supply lines can quickly flood a big portion of the house, resulting in expensive repairs.