How long do pipes really last under pressure?

I hear you on the drywall - been there, done that, and it’s never just one spot either. My place still has some old galvanized lines mixed in with copper, and honestly, I’m always half-expecting a surprise. I get why people like PEX for speed, but I’ve seen copper last 60+ years in these old houses... as long as the water’s not eating it alive. Water chemistry’s a total wild card though. Had a neighbor swap out all their copper after only 15 years because of pinholes from aggressive water. Makes you wonder if there’s any “forever” material out there.

- Totally agree, water chemistry is the real wildcard.
- Copper’s great until you get acidic or high-chlorine water - then it’s just a matter of time before pinholes show up.
- Galvanized is a pain, especially when you start seeing rust in the water or pressure drops.
- PEX is fast and flexible, but I’ve seen rodents chew through it in crawlspaces... not ideal.
- Honestly, there’s no “forever” pipe. Even PVC can get brittle over decades.
- At this point, I just hope for 30+ years and call it a win.

It’s wild how much the “right” pipe depends on the house and what’s running through it. I’ve seen copper last 50+ years in one project, then barely make it 15 in another - just because the water was more acidic. Galvanized is a headache, especially when you’re trying to match old fittings during a remodel. The rust stains are a dead giveaway, and clients always notice.

PEX is great for routing through tight spaces, but yeah, rodents are a real issue. I’ve had to specify steel conduit in crawlspaces just to keep the critters out. PVC is fine for drain lines, but I wouldn’t trust it for hot water over decades - seen too many brittle pipes snap during demo.

Honestly, I think 30 years is a solid run. After that, you’re probably looking at a renovation anyway, and it’s a good excuse to update everything behind the walls. There’s just no perfect solution... only trade-offs.

PEX is great for routing through tight spaces, but yeah, rodents are a real issue. I’ve had to specify steel conduit in crawlspaces just to keep the critters out.

That’s a good call on using conduit - learned that one the hard way after a flip where mice chewed through PEX behind a finished wall. Ended up redoing half the kitchen drywall. Honestly, I’m with you on the 30-year mark being a solid run. Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer coated copper pipes for acidic water? Wondering if it’s worth the extra up front or just another trade-off...

Had a similar run-in with mice and PEX in my old place - never again. Ended up pulling out a section of ceiling just to get at the chewed line. Steel conduit’s not cheap, but it’s cheaper than patching drywall every few years.

On the coated copper, I’ve only seen it in a couple of newer installs around here. My neighbor went that route after his old copper started pinholing from our acidic well water. He swears by it, but he also spent a small fortune. From what I’ve seen, the coating does seem to help with corrosion, but you’re still dealing with copper joints and fittings, which can be weak spots if your water’s really rough. Plus, if you ever have to solder anything later, you’ve got to be careful not to mess up the coating.

Honestly, I’m still partial to old-school Type L copper for most things - at least you know what you’re getting. But if your water eats pipes for breakfast, maybe the extra upfront cost is worth it just for peace of mind. Still feels like a bit of a gamble though... nothing’s truly maintenance-free.

Funny thing is, my 1920s galvanized lasted almost 80 years before it finally gave up. Sure, the pressure was lousy by then, but at least the mice left it alone. Sometimes I wonder if we’re just trading one headache for another with all these new materials.

I hear you on the mice - had a customer with a brand new basement reno, and within six months, the little critters had turned his PEX into Swiss cheese. He ended up running copper in conduit, grumbling the whole time about the bill. As for coated copper, I’ve seen it hold up better than bare, but like you said, those joints are always the weak link, especially if your water’s nasty. Honestly, sometimes I think the old stuff lasted so long because nobody expected it to. Now it feels like we’re just picking which problem we want to deal with next.

Yeah, mice are relentless - seen them chew through just about anything if they’re determined enough. PEX is great until it turns into a snack. Copper in conduit’s a pain up front, but at least you’re not patching leaks every other month. I agree, the joints are always the first to go, especially with hard water. Sometimes it feels like we’re just trading one headache for another, but at least we know what to expect now.

Sometimes it feels like we’re just trading one headache for another, but at least we know what to expect now.

Isn’t that the truth... I’m curious, though - has anyone actually had PEX last more than a decade without issues? I keep hearing about “lifetime” warranties, but in my 1920s place, everything seems to age in dog years. Does hard water speed up PEX failure too, or is that mostly a copper thing?

I hear you on the “dog years” thing - old houses just chew through materials. I’ve actually seen PEX go 12+ years with no leaks in my neighbor’s place, but fittings seem to be the weak link, not the pipe itself. Hard water’s a bigger headache for copper, but it can still gunk up PEX connections over time. It’s not bulletproof, but it’s held up better than I expected.

Interesting point about the fittings - I've seen similar issues where the pipe holds up but the connectors start to look sketchy after a decade or so. I wonder if certain brands or installation methods make a difference? In some renos, I've noticed PEX gets brittle near heat sources, too... anyone else run into that?

Funny you mention the PEX near heat sources - ran into that exact thing behind a water heater last year. The pipe itself was fine, but the fittings were starting to look a little cooked, almost chalky. I’ve always wondered if it’s more about the install than the brand, though. Like, maybe some folks don’t use enough insulation or just run it too close to the heat? Ever tried swapping out just the connectors instead of the whole run? Curious if that actually buys you more time or just delays the inevitable...

Had a similar situation in a flip a couple years back - PEX right behind a furnace, and the fittings were basically turning to dust. The pipe itself was still flexible, but those connectors looked like they’d been left out in the sun for a decade. I agree, it feels like install is half the battle. Some folks just don’t give enough space or slap on the cheapest insulation they can find.

Swapping just the connectors? I’ve done it when I was in a pinch and didn’t want to rip out a whole section. Sometimes it buys you another year or two, but honestly, if the fittings are cooked, I always worry the rest of the line is getting there too... Kind of like changing one tire on a car with four bald ones. It’ll get you home, but you know it’s temporary.

If you’ve got access and time, I’d say re-run that stretch with better clearance and maybe spring for the beefier insulation. Otherwise, keep a close eye on it - PEX hides problems until you’re staring at a puddle where your drywall used to be.

Yeah, I’ve seen that too - sometimes it’s like the fittings just give up way before the pipe does. I always cringe when I see pipes crammed in tight corners with barely any insulation. Honestly, it’s wild how much a little extra clearance and better wrap can help. I get wanting to save time or money, but water damage is such a pain to fix... I’d rather overdo it on protection than risk a surprise leak behind my new paint job.

I’ve run into that exact scenario during a kitchen remodel - pipes wedged so tight against the wall, barely any room for insulation, and the fittings were already showing signs of stress. It’s tempting to cut corners, but I’ve learned the hard way that a little extra effort up front saves a ton of hassle later. I started using recycled denim insulation around pipes, and it’s made a noticeable difference. Not only does it help with temperature swings, but it’s also way better for the environment than foam. Sometimes the “overkill” approach is just smart planning.

Funny you mention the recycled denim - my neighbor swears by that stuff too. I’ve always been a bit paranoid about pipes under pressure, especially after dealing with a pinhole leak in copper that was only 12 years old. Turns out, the real killer was the lack of insulation and a weird bend that stressed the joint. I used to think “overkill” was just for perfectionists, but after patching drywall twice, I’m all for it. Pipes might be rated for decades, but it’s those little details that seem to cut their life short.

I totally get the paranoia - after seeing my uncle’s basement flood from a tiny copper leak, I’m always second-guessing every pipe I touch. I’ve read that copper’s supposed to last 50+ years, but it seems like one bad bend or missing insulation can ruin that in no time. Is it really just about the install, or do some brands/types hold up better? I’m debating PEX for my place, but I keep hearing mixed things about rodents and UV. Anyone actually had PEX issues, or is that just internet horror stories?

I went with PEX for my last reno, mostly because it was cheaper and easier to run than copper. Haven’t had any leaks or pressure issues in five years, but I did find a spot where mice chewed through the insulation sleeve - not the pipe itself, but it made me nervous. I wrapped that section in some metal mesh as a precaution. UV is only a problem if you’ve got exposed runs near windows or outside, so I just kept everything behind drywall.

Honestly, I think install matters way more than brand. My neighbor’s copper pipes are 40+ years old and still fine, but he’s super careful about water chemistry and insulation. If you’re on a budget and keep PEX away from sunlight and critters, it holds up well. Just don’t skimp on the fittings - cheap ones can be a headache down the line.

I’ve seen PEX hold up just fine in remodels I did over a decade ago, but you’re right - install is everything. Had a job where a guy used bargain-bin fittings and we were chasing leaks for months. Copper’s solid if you’ve got the budget, but for most folks, PEX done right is plenty tough. Mice are sneaky little troublemakers... I’ve seen ‘em chew through almost anything except metal mesh or steel wool.

Had a client swear up and down that PEX would outlive him, but then his attic mice had other plans. I’ve seen copper last 50+ years if you don’t have aggressive water, but PEX is usually solid for 25-40 - assuming nobody cheaped out on fittings. Mice definitely prefer the softer stuff... little vandals.

Mice definitely prefer the softer stuff... little vandals.

That’s the wildcard nobody mentions in the spec sheets. I’ve had a couple rentals where tenants reported leaks, and it turned out to be chewed PEX in the crawlspace. Here’s how I look at it when evaluating pipe longevity:

1. Water chemistry first - copper hates acidic or aggressive water, so always test before assuming it’ll last 50+ years.
2. PEX is great for flexibility and speed, but critters see it as a snack bar. If you’re running PEX in attics or crawlspaces, rodent control is non-negotiable.
3. Fittings matter. I’ve seen PEX jobs with cheap clamp rings fail in under a decade, while properly installed expansion fittings seem to go the distance.
4. For long-term holds, I usually budget for a full re-pipe at 30-40 years, depending on the area and pipe type.

It’s not just about the material - it’s the install, environment, and, yeah, those “little vandals” too. Copper’s got its issues, but at least mice don’t chew it up.