Totally get where you’re coming from on PEX. I was a copper diehard for years, but after wrestling with soldering in cramped spots (and nearly setting off the smoke alarms more than once), I’m all in on PEX now. Power augers are a lifesaver too—manual snakes just don’t cut it with old cast iron. And yeah, chemical drain cleaners are a last resort for me... seen too many horror stories with corroded pipes. Sometimes you’ve gotta let go of tradition if it means fewer headaches.
Funny you mention nearly setting off smoke alarms—I’ve had my fair share of singed insulation and scorched joists from soldering in tight crawlspaces. PEX has been a game changer for those awkward repairs, though I still get a little nostalgic for the old copper days. Power augers, yeah, those things have saved me hours of cursing at stubborn clogs. Ever run into issues with PEX fittings leaking after a few years? I’ve seen a couple that didn’t hold up as well as I’d hoped, especially in spots with a lot of vibration.
Ever run into issues with PEX fittings leaking after a few years? I’ve seen a couple that didn’t hold up as well as I’d hoped, especially in spots with a lot of vibration.
Funny, I’ve actually had the opposite experience—my old copper joints were always the ones giving me grief, especially in the basement where things shift a bit. Maybe it’s the type of PEX fittings you’re using? I stick to crimp rings and haven’t had leaks yet, even near the boiler where there’s plenty of vibration. Still, I do miss the solid feel of copper sometimes... just not the torch burns.
