Plumbing is the home’s vascular system, and making significant upgrades can be intimidating. When it comes to new pipes, many homeowners prefer copper, the age-old standard, or PEX, the simple piping solution. Find out what makes these materials stand out and which comes out on top.
Installation Ease and Cost
First, What financial and structural damage can homeowners expect from installation? You need to know the cost before calculating the value. Installing new pipes can be frustrating, and ease of installation is a significant factor in choosing the right plumbing solution.
Installation Challenges
Copper piping does not bend. Professionals cut it to size and weld it into custom shapes to fit individual homes. Installation usually involves cutting into drywall, installing the pipes, and repairing the wall and any associated cosmetic damage.
PEX piping is flexible. In many cases, it’s possible to snake it through walls with little to no cosmetic damage. This potentially eases homeowner concerns about installation and appeals to DIY renovators and professionals.
Overall Cost
The ease of installation also affects cost. Copper piping uses a more expensive material and requires more labor hours to install. PEX takes less time and effort to install and is cheaper to manufacture.
- Copper piping averages between $4-$12 per foot.
- PEX piping averages between $1.50-$4 per foot.
This does not consider variables like location and difficulty of access. If plumbers must tear up concrete or cut through brick to install new pipes, the heavy repairs will add to the homeowner’s bill.
Maintenance
Every home has problems, and homeowners almost always need repairs of their home’s plumbing during its lifetime. To understand the real risk of leaks, consumers need to know the strengths and weaknesses of each system. This is also crucial to picking the material best suited to the area and project.
Leak Risks
Copper and PEX piping are quality products that should last as long as advertised, provided nothing goes wrong. Accidents happen, though, and understanding leak risk relies on knowing each type of piping’s weaknesses.
Copper is incredibly sturdy, but it isn’t indestructible. It handles high temperatures well, but copper pipes can develop blockages from mineral deposits if a home has hard water. These build up pressure that bursts pipes. Because they’re metal, copper pipes also develop rust over time, especially in acidic water. Copper pipes handle freezing temperatures poorly, and winter can be challenging for homeowners with water lines in exterior walls.
PEX piping can’t withstand UV rays, so all lines must be indoors. It’s also less resilient than copper in high heat, pressure, or friction. There are concerns about degradation from harsh chemicals and solvents, and it may be possible for rodents to damage PEX pipes.
Repairs
As with installation, access is a consideration. Plumbers may need to access copper pipes through drywall or flooring to make repairs, which may be more complicated than comparable patches to a PEX line (like rewelding joints). If any section of piping needs replacement rather than repair, homeowners can expect higher material and labor costs for copper than PEX, as during installation.
Lifespan
Copper pipes will nearly always outlast PEX pipes if properly maintained and installed. PEX piping lasts 25-40 years, while copper can last 40-70 years.
It’s worth noting that copper piping is more prone to leaks with age, so maintenance and repair costs often rise with time. However, copper needs replacing far less frequently than PEX products.
Sustainability
Each type of piping has specific ecological benefits and drawbacks at different points of production and use. Energy use, lifespan, and reusability are all relevant concerns.
Copper piping costs more to the homeowner and the environment during manufacturing than PEX. However, copper’s long-term benefits are its recyclability and durability. Because it needs replacing less often, the associated manufacturing and installation energy costs drop, though they remain high overall.
PEX has a lower initial carbon footprint but is ultimately made of plastic. Thus, it trades lower energy costs for a non-recyclable product that requires replacement roughly twice as often as copper.
However, a case study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production investigated the lifetime costs (including financial, CO2 emissions, and more) of copper piping and PEX piping in a real-life housing complex. PEX came out ahead with less water, air, and soil damage. It also reduced CO2 emissions by roughly 42%.
Final Thoughts
PEX and copper piping offer homeowners different advantages; the best option depends on what a homeowner needs.
Copper’s value is in its lifespan and strength. It handles pressure and hot water better than PEX, but those benefits come at a price. Region-specific variables like water acidity and hardness may threaten the system’s longevity. However, copper piping can boost a home’s resale value. It’s a worthwhile investment, depending on location, layout, and demand.
PEX is a fast, affordable option. Current research shows it’s also the greener option for eco-conscious buyers. It won’t last as long as copper, and it’s more prone to external damage but less susceptible to hard water build-up and freezing.
Local experts can help determine which material is best for your unique home. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for a consultation to discuss your preferences, needs, and options.