My plumber quoted me $8k to repipe the whole house with PEX instead of the original copper from the 90s. I've heard PEX is cheaper and easier to install, but I'm concerned about longevity and whether it's really as safe as the older copper lines. What's the actual difference in durability?
I've had PEX in my place for years without issues, and it's held up fine through normal use. The main difference is that PEX is flexible plastic so it's faster to install (hence cheaper labor), while copper is rigid metal that lasts basically forever if maintained - but PEX itself should easily last 50+ years in typical home conditions, which is plenty for most people. The safety concern is overblown; PEX meets code in most places and doesn't have the issues older materials had. Before you commit though, is your copper actually failing, or are you doing this preventively? And does your plumber have experience with PEX, since the quality really depends on the install?
PEX has been around long enough now that we know it holds up. The stuff they're installing today isn't the experimental plastic from 20 years ago. Real-world data shows it lasts decades without degradation under normal conditions, and it actually handles freeze-thaw cycles better than copper since it flexes instead of cracking. The safety concern about chemicals leaching is basically solved - modern formulations don't do that, and this gets tested. What you're really comparing is rigid copper that needs joints and solder work versus flexible plastic that runs in continuous lines with fewer connection points where things can fail.
The labor cost difference is huge, which is why your plumber's quoting $8k instead of $12k+. PEX runs faster, needs fewer fittings, and doesn't require the time and skill of soldering every connection. Copper looks classier on paper and some folks swear by it, but if your old copper lines made it 30 years, PEX will too. The real durability edge actually goes to PEX for most installations - fewer joints means fewer leak points down the road.
One thing to check: make sure they're not doing PEX with cheap fittings. The tubing itself is fine, but some quick installs use brass compression fittings that can fail. Ask if they're going with proper crimp fittings or expansion fittings. Also verify your local code on UV exposure (some codes need it shielded in crawlspaces). If it's a straightforward run through walls and under the house, PEX is the practical choice at that price point.
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