The good old days of metallic plumbing are being replaced by polymers, plastics and a whole lot of synthetic materials all over the world. One of the most popular replacements is the PEX pipes. The PEX pipes were introduced in the 70’s but became popular in the 80’s and 90’s. Thousands of houses were installed with PEX pipes from the word go while an equal number has gone through a re-piping to replace the metallic pipes with PEX. With the many years of use, now the downsides of the PEX piping have come to the light unlike in the past when they were all new with few experiences.
So, is PEX Plumbing Good?
Our plumbing experts always recommend PEX plumbing for the following reasons;
- The PEX pipe is made of highly flexible and resilient material that is easy to use in tight areas like the artic and in tight angles without worrying about breaking that is caused by freezing.
- You can easily bend the PEX pipe to accommodate nice fittings in tight spaces hence most plumbers will prefer it over copper or PPR piping.
- The price of PEX is just a fraction of the cost of the other piping materials making the project costs come down significantly.
- PEX pipes reduces the water hammering noises that are common in most houses. Once you install the PEX pipes, you will enjoy a silent flow of water as you enjoy your slow music or watch a movie with your loved ones.
- The PEX pipes are highly durable with a minimum of 30 years on their lifespan. It is however important to get your pipes checked by an expert annually to ascertain their health.
Gauging with the above facts, it is clear that PEX is undoubtedly the easiest and cheapest to install. However, it also comes with some disadvantages that can lead to water damages worth thousands of dollars.
Now let’s see why PEX plumbing could be bad for your house.
So, Why is PEX Plumbing Bad for Your House?
Even with the numerous advantages, PEX pipes comes with a number of drawbacks that you need to watch out for when making that final decision on the plumbing material you will install in your house.
-
Fire
Though there are rare chances that your house will be on fire, it is still a possibility. In the event where a fire breaks out in your house, the PEX pipes will melt which means that you will have to get new replacement pipes.
-
Light
PEX weakens when exposed to UV light. This means that you cannot use the PEX pipes outside. Even when buried, the UV light can still sneak through the dirt and affect the pipes underneath. The PEX material disintegrates when exposed to the UV light and at times it is also affected by bulb light reducing their lifespan.
-
Chroline
If you want to transport water that has chlorine as an additive, then your PEX piping will fail with time. The Chlorination reduces the lifespan of the PEX pipe significantly leading to pipes bursting or even sudden leakages. The manufacturers have been working on this by adding antioxidants to the PEX pipes in the manufacturing process. Though it is not perfect, it has reduced the failure to a high degree.
-
Rodents
If you live in an area that is susceptible to rodents, then your PEX piping is at risk. Rodents have been linked to chewing the PEX pipes leading to pipes cracking or total breaking.
-
Leaching
There are home owners who reported bad odors and bad tastes in their drinking water. Upon investigations it was settled that the smell and bad taste was as a result of the PEX piping in their house. There are scientific findings too that suggest that a few PEX pipes had issues with leaching harmful contaminants like BPA (Bisphenol A) in the water supply.
-
Non-Recyclable
When you finally decide to replace that PEX pipe, you will have nowhere to take the old PEX piping at the moment. The manufacturers are however working round the clock to solve this issue as it highly impacts the environment.
Final word
We use the shower, the washing machine, the dishwasher, and many other appliances that use water every day but have you ever thought of how the water is transported to those appliances? Many homeowners opt for PEX due to their cost effectiveness while plumbers choose PEX due to its ease of installation.
You too can join in and get the pleasant feeling. However, if you have any questions don’t be hesitant to contact our experts who are always willing to help.
