I get the appeal of just swapping out the worst sections and leaving the rest, especially in an older house where you never really know what you’re going to find behind the walls. But I’ve always wondered if that “piecemeal” approach is actually saving money long-term. Like, yeah, you avoid tearing everything up now, but what about when another section goes bad a year or two down the line? I had a buddy who did something similar—replaced a couple problem spots with PEX and left the rest of his 1950s copper. Two years later, he ended up with a pinhole leak in a spot he’d thought was fine, and it trashed his drywall. Ended up costing him more than if he’d just bitten the bullet and done a full repipe.
Also, mixing copper and PEX (even with brass fittings) always makes me a little nervous about potential for galvanic corrosion over time. I know the theory is that brass acts as a buffer, but I’ve read stories where people still got weird issues after a few years. Maybe it depends on your water chemistry? Hard to say.
I’m not saying your way is wrong—it’s definitely less disruptive and easier on the wallet up front. Just curious if you’ve thought about whether you might end up chasing leaks one by one for years. Sometimes I wonder if hiring a pro for a full inspection (maybe even with one of those fancy cameras) would be worth it, just to get a sense of how much life is left in the old lines. Or maybe that’s overkill for most folks... hard to know where to draw the line between “smart DIY” and “false economy.”
Like, yeah, you avoid tearing everything up now, but what about when another section goes bad a year or two down the line? I had a buddy who did something similar—replaced a couple problem spots ...
Been there. Did a “patch and pray” job on a 1940s bungalow once—just like you said, fixed the worst copper, left the rest. Within a year, another leak popped up behind a kitchen wall. Ended up gutting half the cabinets anyway.
- Piecemeal felt cheaper at first, but the hidden damage cost way more.
- Mixing PEX and copper? I’ve seen weird green buildup at joints even with brass. Water chemistry’s a wild card.
- Had a plumber run a camera after the second leak—found pinholes starting in spots I’d never have guessed.
Sometimes it’s worth paying for that inspection just to know what you’re really dealing with. “Smart DIY” is great, but chasing leaks gets old fast...
Mixing PEX and copper? I’ve seen weird green buildup at joints even with brass. Water chemistry’s a wild card.
I hear you—mixing materials gets dicey, especially in older homes where who knows what’s already lurking in the pipes. I tried to “just fix the leaks” in my own place, but after finding a soggy baseboard and some sketchy old insulation, I caved and got a full inspection. Not cheap, but honestly, knowing what you’re up against saves a ton of stress (and drywall). Sometimes it’s just better for your sanity to get the pro opinion, even if you’re handy.
Title: Plumbing check-up dilemma: DIY or hire a pro?
Honestly, reading about the green gunk makes me second-guess every “quick fix” I’ve ever done under my sink. I’m in the middle of my first reno and figured swapping out a few pipes would be no big deal... then I hit a copper-to-PEX junction and just stared at it for like an hour, wondering if I was about to accidentally invent a new kind of leak.
I totally get wanting to save some cash by tackling things yourself, but after watching one too many YouTube videos where something “should fit” and then doesn’t, I’m leaning toward getting someone who actually knows what’s going on behind the walls. The peace of mind is worth more than another weekend spent googling “electrolysis in plumbing” and crossing my fingers.
That said, I know folks who’ve had zero issues doing it all themselves—maybe it’s just luck, or maybe their water isn’t secretly plotting against them. Either way, if the pipes are old and mysterious, sometimes it feels like less of a gamble to call in backup.
That green gunk is always a wake-up call, isn’t it? I’ve seen so many DIY fixes where someone thought “it’s just a pipe swap” and then, months later, they’re dealing with leaks behind the wall or weird water pressure. Copper-to-PEX especially can be tricky if you don’t have the right fittings or tools. Honestly, sometimes paying a pro upfront saves you from a much bigger headache (and bill) down the road. But hey, if you’re super handy and love a challenge, I get wanting to give it a shot—just double-check those connections and maybe keep a bucket handy... just in case.
