It's tough to beat
Use copper pipes. Copper pipes are long lasting and won't leach chemicals into your drinking water.
Copper pipes are pretty terrible. Copper reacts with minerals and chemical additives in the water. After a long time, the copper pipe will wear out. You end up with a leak.
It is well-known that PEX pipes can raise organic carbon levels in water by leaching ingredients, manufacturing byproducts, and other additives.
PEX itself is stronger and arguably superior to copper in terms of reliability, especially in resistance to freezing. It's the fittings that have been problematic in the past.
PEX is lighter and more affordable than traditional copper, and it's less likely to leak. Most research suggests that PEX isn't ideal for drinking water.
Vulnerable to Damage
Plumbing failures can be caused by defective copper pipes several years after installation. Acidic water can be very bad for copper systems. Scale builds up inside the lines and blocks the flow of water through the plumbing system.
Currently, PEX plumbing is one of the most widely used plumbing systems around the world. It was temporarily banned in California for a while due to concerns about toxic materials but this was later disproven by laboratory tests.
Material Concerns: One of the primary concerns about Pex plumbing is the material itself. While Pex pipes are undoubtedly flexible, making them easier to install in tight spaces, they are not as durable as traditional materials like copper or even PVC.
PEX pipes are very thick but they are still susceptible to rodent damage that can cause pipes to crack or break. Possible Leaching: Although uncommon, some homeowners and plumbing companies have reported a few PEX pipes leaching harmful contaminants like BPA (Bisphenol A) into the water supply.
Generally, PEX is used in new home construction more often than copper due to the fact that it's easier to install, less expensive, and more durable against freezing conditions.
Its popularity soared after lead pipes became obsolete due to their unsafe nature. Today, plumbers still install copper pipes quite regularly, but you have a wide variety of other materials to choose from, too. PVC and PEX are both common and tend to be more affordable than copper.
Copper is Non-Toxic
In the past, pipes were made of lead and other poisonous metals that actually caused a major health crisis in the U.S. Now that lead has been banned, it's a good thing that research has found copper to be a much more suitable material for safe water pipes.
PVC is most commonly used for drain, waste, and vent lines. It is not recommended for use in potable water lines because it can leach chemicals into the water.
The report also looks at issues such as chemical leaching in addition to the shedding of micro- and nano-particles from common plastic pipe materials like PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), PEX (cross-linked polyethylene), and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride).
Copper pipes offer significant benefits that have helped them stand the test of time. These benefits include: Longevity: Copper is a reliable material that can last at least 50 years. Durability: Copper is sturdy and resistant to leakage and corrosion.
PEX pipe can be used as a service line based on its corrosion resistance to soil and water, its long life and its oxidative resistance. Our PEX pipe is not suitable for use in areas where the soil is or may become contaminated, including soil used for backfilling.
Common Causes of PEX Pipe Failures
In addition, extreme bends and kinks place a very high local stress on the wall of the pipe, making it more susceptible to oxidative degradation. This is especially true in southern climates where water chlorine levels run high.
PEX Pipe Is Vulnerable
Rodents Chewing Through PEX Pipe is a common problem in our area. It doesn't matter how old your home is, if you have an attic, you need to watch for rodent damage to PEX Pipe or PVC. If you're hearing rustling noises coming from the attic, it's time to do an inspection.
Copper pipes outshine PEX pipes in terms of longevity. On average, copper pipes impressively endure for 50 to 70 years, whereas PEX pipes have an expected lifespan of 30 to 50 years. It's challenging to surpass copper's resilience.
Findings show some chemicals released by plumbing pipes can be transformed into carcinogenic chemicals regulated by the EPA; chemicals leached by certain plastics are conducive to bacterial growth; and plumbing system cleaning practices described in some, but not all, plumbing codes can cause PEX pipe chemical leaching ...
The problem with PEX seems to be that it's contaminated -- it leaves the factory with chemicals used in its manufacture still on the pipe. In time it cleans up, but during that time those chemicals are going into the water.
If you're lucky, you might get all 50 years from your copper plumbing, but sometimes wear and tear happens quicker than you'd like.
Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead pipes, fixtures and solder.