I’ve heard the same thing about PEX and freezing—supposedly it’s more flexible, so if water inside expands, the pipe can stretch a bit rather than crack like copper. I haven’t had a full-on freeze disaster (knock on wood), but I did have one winter where a section of PEX in my crawlspace froze up. Once it thawed, no leaks or damage, which was a huge relief... Meanwhile, my neighbor with all copper had to replace a burst line that same week.
That said, I wouldn’t call PEX totally freeze-proof. If it gets cold enough or you’ve got fittings in bad spots, you could still end up with trouble. I try to insulate any exposed runs and keep the heat on low during cold snaps—cheaper than fixing water damage later. Still, for my budget, the peace of mind with PEX is worth it, especially compared to patching old copper every couple years.
I’ve had similar experiences with PEX and copper, and I’d say you’re spot on about the “not totally freeze-proof” part. PEX is definitely more forgiving than copper when it comes to freezing, but I’ve seen fittings split or pop off if things get really cold—especially those cheap plastic ones some folks use to save a buck. I always recommend brass fittings if you’re in a climate where pipes might freeze. They’re a little pricier, but way less likely to fail under pressure or temperature swings.
One thing I’ve noticed flipping older homes: copper can last decades if it’s not getting hammered by hard water or freezing, but once it starts to go, it’s like playing whack-a-mole with leaks. PEX is easier to install and reroute, which is a lifesaver when you’re trying to update plumbing in tight crawlspaces or behind old plaster walls. Still, I wouldn’t trust it to last forever—UV exposure and rodents can both be issues if you’re not careful.
Insulation and keeping the heat on low are smart moves. It’s amazing how much trouble you can avoid with just a little prep work... and a lot less stress than mopping up after a burst pipe.
Honestly, the copper vs. PEX debate always cracks me up—there’s no perfect answer, just trade-offs. I’ve seen gorgeous old homes where the copper pipes outlasted half the drywall, but then you find one pinhole leak and suddenly it’s a renovation nightmare. PEX is way more forgiving for design flexibility, especially if you’re trying to sneak lines through funky angles or around built-ins. But yeah, rodents love chewing on it... had a client lose an entire kitchen ceiling that way. Insulation is underrated—totally agree there. It’s not glamorous, but it saves so much hassle down the line.
The rodent thing with PEX is wild—I’ve seen more than one “mystery leak” end up being squirrel sabotage. Copper can look great in exposed spots, but if you’re dealing with hard water, those pinholes sneak up fast. Anyone else notice how much more creative you have to get with PEX in tight spaces? Sometimes I feel like I’m playing Tetris behind the walls. Insulation’s the real MVP though... boring but it saves you from so many headaches later.
- Not totally sold on insulation being the “real MVP”—it’s important, but if you’re using recycled or eco-friendly pipe sleeves, they can break down faster than you’d think.
- PEX is flexible, sure, but I’ve had a few jobs where it actually made things trickier in old houses with weird framing. Sometimes copper just fits better, even if it’s more work up front.
- Anyone tried stainless steel flex lines for runs in crawlspaces? Rodents seem to leave those alone, and they last ages... though the price tag stings.
- Hard water’s a pain no matter what pipe you pick. I’m starting to wonder if whole-house filtration is worth the hassle just to keep pipes happy longer.