WHEN DOES A "WEEKEND PLUMBING JOB" EVER ACTUALLY TAKE A WEEKEND?
I totally get the intimidation factor with copper—soldering and all that can be a pain, especially if you’re new to it. I switched to PEX for a bathroom reno last year and honestly, it was way less stressful. The main anxiety I’ve heard is about connections leaking if you don’t crimp them right, but if you double-check your crimps and use the right tools, it’s pretty solid. Plus, being able to snake it around corners without a million fittings is a game changer. Not saying copper’s bad, but PEX is definitely not as scary as some folks make it out to be.
The main anxiety I’ve heard is about connections leaking if you don’t crimp them right, but if you double-check your crimps and use the right tools, it’s pretty solid.
I get the appeal of PEX, but honestly, I’ve stuck with copper for most of my fixes. The upfront cost is higher, sure, but I’ve had a couple PEX connections start leaking after a year or two—maybe user error, maybe not. With copper, once it’s soldered right, it’s pretty much set and forget. Plus, I can reuse leftover pipe for other small jobs instead of buying new fittings every time. Just my two cents.
WEEKEND JOBS ALWAYS SPILL INTO MONDAY, DON’T THEY?
I hear you on copper—it’s hard to beat for longevity if you’re comfortable with a torch. That said, I’ve found PEX a lifesaver when access is tight or I’m working in crawl spaces (which is way too often). Had a couple sketchy crimps early on, but with the better tools and taking my time, leaks pretty much stopped. I do miss being able to scavenge old copper for patches, though... PEX scraps just pile up.
I get the appeal of PEX, especially for those tight, awkward spots where you’re basically doing yoga under a sink. But I’ll admit, I still lean toward copper when I can—maybe it’s just nostalgia, or maybe I trust it more for exposed runs. Funny thing, I’ve actually used leftover copper as little shelf brackets or even as curtain rod supports in a pinch. PEX just doesn’t have that second life... it ends up in a sad pile in the garage. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but there’s something about the old materials that feels more satisfying to work with.
Copper does have that old-school charm, I’ll give you that. There’s just something about sweating a joint that feels like you’ve really accomplished something. But man, after wrestling with a few 90-degree elbows in crawlspaces, I started appreciating PEX a lot more. It’s not as pretty for exposed runs, but for those “I-hope-no-one-ever-sees-this” spots, it’s a lifesaver. And yeah, leftover PEX isn’t winning any upcycling awards... unless someone needs a really flexible jump rope?
