How long do pipes really last under pressure?

Honestly, I think every material has its Achilles’ heel. PEX hates UV and certain chemicals, copper gets eaten by aggressive water, and don’t even get me started on old galvanized.

You nailed it—every pipe’s got its drama. But I’ll throw in a curveball: have you ever looked at recycled HDPE or even stainless for certain runs? I know, sounds like overkill for a rental, but in some eco-reno circles, we’re seeing folks use HDPE (think big blue coils) for buried lines or even radiant heat. It’s tough stuff and doesn’t care about UV if it’s buried or inside walls.

Here’s my step-by-step for picking the “least-worst” option:
1. Check your water chemistry. If it’s eating copper, maybe skip the shiny stuff.
2. Look at where the pipe’s going—attic? Crawlspace? Sun exposure? PEX in the attic is basically a slow-cook recipe.
3. Think about future access. If you’ll need to get at it again, maybe don’t bury it behind three layers of drywall.
4. If you’re feeling wild, price out alternatives—sometimes stainless isn’t as wild as you’d think for short runs.

I still lose sleep over plumbing sometimes, but at least now I can say I tried everything short of running bamboo tubes...

I’ve been down the rabbit hole on this too. When we opened up a wall in our 1960s place, I found copper that looked pristine in some spots and then, just inches away, pinholes everywhere. Water chemistry really is the wildcard. I actually considered HDPE after reading about it here—those big blue coils you mentioned—but ended up going with PEX for flexibility. Still, I keep thinking about your point:

If you’ll need to get at it again, maybe don’t bury it behind three layers of drywall.

Man, I totally get the regret about access. When I did my kitchen reno, I thought I was being clever hiding everything behind a fancy tile backsplash. Fast forward two years—small leak, had to rip half of it out. Never again. It’s wild how copper can look perfect one spot and be Swiss cheese the next. PEX has been good to me so far, but I still get nervous about what’s lurking behind the walls. Sometimes I wonder if future-proofing is even possible in these old houses...

Title: How Long Do Pipes Really Last Under Pressure?

Sometimes I wonder if future-proofing is even possible in these old houses...

That hits home. I once bought a duplex from the 40s, thinking I’d just update the kitchens and bathrooms, rent it out, and call it a day. First winter, the tenant calls—water coming through the ceiling. Turned out a “perfectly fine” copper line had burst right above a joist. The plumber said it was probably pinholed for years, just waiting for the right moment to let go. It’s wild how you can stare at a run of pipe and have no idea what’s happening an inch further down.

I get the temptation to hide everything behind pretty finishes. But after that mess, I’ve become borderline obsessed with access panels and removable backsplashes. Doesn’t matter how clever it looks—if you can’t get to it, you’re rolling the dice.

PEX has been a game changer for me too, but I still get nervous about what we’ll think of it in 30 years. Like, will people be cursing us for using plastic instead of copper? Or will they thank us because it didn’t corrode? Sometimes I wonder if every generation just deals with their own version of “what were they thinking?”

Curious if anyone’s actually seen those old galvanized pipes last longer than expected? Or maybe found some weird material in the walls that somehow held up better than copper or PEX? Feels like every house has its own story when it comes to what’s lurking behind the drywall...

Galvanized pipes are kind of like the cockroaches of plumbing—sometimes they just refuse to die, even when you’re sure they should’ve failed decades ago. I demoed a kitchen in a 1920s bungalow once and found iron pipe that looked like it belonged in a museum, but it was still holding water (though barely). Meanwhile, my neighbor’s “newer” copper lines sprang leaks out of nowhere. It’s wild how inconsistent it all is. I’m with you on the PEX paranoia too... feels weird trusting plastic with something so critical, but I guess time will tell. Access panels are my new religion after patching drywall for the third time—can’t recommend them enough.