Switched from copper to PEX for my basement repipe

I was dead set on using copper for my basement water lines. My dad always said copper is the only way to go. But my plumber buddy convinced me to try PEX after showing me how much faster it goes and that it handles freezing better. Saved about $400 in material cost and finished the job in one weekend instead of three. Any other DIY homeowners made the swap and regretted it?

2 comments

2 Comments

iris_davis901mo ago

Gotta admit I was the same way, thought copper was the only real option. My first attempt at soldering ended up looking like a bird's nest of melted metal, so PEX was a lifesaver for me. Didn't save quite as much as you, but knocking it out in a weekend felt like magic after fighting with copper for days. No regrets here, just a lot of weird looks from my dad when he saw the plastic pipes.

brian_ramirez1mo ago

Gonna have to push back on this one, @iris_davis90. I get that soldering is a pain, but I swapped out my old PEX for copper a couple years back and wouldn't go back. PEX gives me weird worries about rodents chewing through it or UV damage if I ever have to expose it. Copper just feels solid and I know it'll outlast me. Not saying your setup is bad, but I'll take the extra weekend work for the peace of mind.