Couldn’t agree more about bad installs being the real killer. I’ve seen PEX last for years without a hitch, then fail in spots where someone cranked down a clamp or ran it across a sharp edge—same with CPVC getting brittle if it’s not supported right. I do like how PEX handles freezing better than copper, but it’s still not magic. Honestly, every material’s got its quirks... installation just makes or breaks it. Funny how some folks think new pipes are “set and forget.” Not quite.
It’s wild how many times I’ve walked into a “brand new” reno only to find leaks behind the walls because someone rushed the install. Doesn’t matter if it’s PEX, copper, or whatever—if it’s not supported or someone gets heavy-handed with a clamp, you’re asking for trouble. I’ve seen copper last 50 years in one house and spring pinhole leaks in another after five. It really does come down to the details, not just the material. People forget pipes are like anything else—they need a little respect and attention.
Honestly, I think you nailed it—install matters way more than just the type of pipe. I’ve seen PEX that was supposed to be “maintenance-free” start leaking at the joints because someone didn’t seat the fittings right. Here’s what I usually do when I’m working on a reno or even just checking my own place:
1. Always check for proper support. Pipes shouldn’t be hanging loose or jammed tight against studs.
2. Use the right clamps and don’t overtighten—especially with PEX, it’s easy to crush it if you’re not careful.
3. For copper, make sure the cuts are clean and deburred. Any rough edge can become a weak spot over time.
4. Pressure test before closing up walls. It’s tempting to skip this step, but it saves so much hassle down the line.
I’ve had copper last decades in one house and fail in five years in another, too. Sometimes it’s water chemistry, sometimes it’s just a bad batch of pipe... but most of the time, it’s how it was put in. A little patience goes a long way.
That’s interesting about copper failing early in some places—makes me wonder if I should be more worried about what’s in my water than the pipe itself. I’ve got PEX going into a bathroom reno right now, and honestly, the pressure test thing is stressing me out more than anything else. Do you ever use those push-to-connect fittings, or do you stick with crimp rings? I keep hearing mixed things, especially for spots that’ll be buried in a wall...
“Do you ever use those push-to-connect fittings, or do you stick with crimp rings? I keep hearing mixed things, especially for spots that’ll be buried in a wall...”
I’m in the middle of my first reno too, and I went back and forth on this exact thing. Ended up using crimp rings for anything that’s going behind drywall. The push-to-connect fittings seemed super convenient, but I read a few stories about them leaking over time if there’s any movement or if the pipe isn’t cut perfectly square. Maybe I’m overthinking it, but the idea of tearing open a wall later just stresses me out more than taking a little extra time with the crimp tool. For exposed spots or temporary fixes, though, those push fittings are hard to beat.