I get the appeal of PEX for tight spots—definitely easier on the knees and patience. But I’ve actually had a few issues with rodents chewing through PEX in older houses. Copper’s a pain to work with, but it does seem to last longer in those situations. Sometimes the old ways stick around for a reason...
- Totally get where you’re coming from—PEX is a dream until the critters show up.
- Copper’s a beast to wrangle, but there’s something satisfying about knowing it’ll outlast most of us.
- I’ve patched more than a few chewed PEX lines in crawlspaces... not my favorite way to spend a Saturday.
- Sometimes the “old school” methods just make sense, especially in houses with a rodent history.
- Don’t beat yourself up if a “weekend job” turns into a saga—happens to the best of us. Every project teaches you something new, even if it’s just which snacks to bring next time.
I get the copper nostalgia, but man, sweating pipes in a cramped crawlspace is my personal nightmare. PEX might be a rodent buffet, but at least it’s fast and my back doesn’t hate me after. Maybe the real answer is just... fewer crawlspaces?
PEX might be a rodent buffet, but at least it’s fast and my back doesn’t hate me after.
I hear you on that. Did my first “quick” job with PEX last month and honestly, it was still a full weekend by the time I figured out where the old copper even ran. The crawlspace was like a time capsule of every bad decision the previous owners made. Anyone else run into weird old pipe setups that make you question humanity?
WHEN DOES A "WEEKEND PLUMBING JOB" EVER ACTUALLY TAKE A WEEKEND?
The crawlspace was like a time capsule of every bad decision the previous owners made.
- Can’t tell you how many times I’ve found old galvanized lines spliced to copper with duct tape and “hope.”
- PEX is a game-changer for speed, but mapping out the old mess always takes longer than expected.
- Sometimes I wonder if previous owners were just improvising with whatever was in the garage.
- In my experience, “weekend job” = at least two weekends, plus a bonus trip to the hardware store.
- At least with PEX, you don’t have to solder upside down in a spider hotel. Small wins, right?