Purchasing a home is undoubtedly one of the most consequential investments one can make as it signifies achieving the American dream. That is the collective sentiment of the nearly 66% of Americans who say they owned a home as of the second quarter of 2024. Of course, this is no surprise considering the many benefits that stem from homeownership, such as building equity, appreciation, stable housing costs, a sense of control and freedom, and so much more.
That’s not to say there are no downsides to achieving this highly sought-after aspect of the American dream. Along with maintaining home insurance, which is around $2,377 annually, homeowners are responsible for any repairs that the home might need. And some of those repairs can be expensive, especially plumbing problems.
What All Homeowners Should Know About Plumbing Problems
Most homeowners will encounter minor plumbing problems from time to time. The cost of resolving most of them is between $125 and $350. However, some homeowners face complex and costly plumbing problems that sometimes require repiping their entire home. Depending on the size of their home, plumbing system complexity, and geographic location, repiping a home can cost homeowners anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000. That estimate, which includes labor and the cost of materials, comes from Angie’s List, a trusted American home service provider database founded in 1995. Some of the minor and complex plumbing problems that most homeowners encounter include the following:
- Gurgling, hissing, and other plumbing noises
- Hot water loss
- Pipe burst due to extreme fluctuations in temperature, extensive clogs, or old age
- Sewer line blockage
- Sump pump problems
- Leaking faucets
- Running toilets
- Low water pressure
- Slow drainage
- Frequent plumbing backups
The type and severity of a plumbing problem in a home can dictate whether it is best to go with PEX or copper piping.
PEX vs. Copper: What To Consider When Trying To Decide on the Best Piping Solution for Your Home
If resolving your plumbing problem requires replacing a section of damaged piping or repiping your entire home, there are many types of plumbing pipes to choose from; they include galvanized, cast iron, copper, stainless steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes. However, the ones found in most homes today are copper and PEX pipes. And that’s for good reason. Both copper and PEX pipes have a long lifespan, and homeowners and professional plumbers frequently choose them because of their reliability and resistance to high temperatures. That’s according to an article published by Forbes.
As far as costs are concerned, copper piping is considerably more expensive than PEX and other types of plastic piping. On average, homeowners can expect to spend $2 to $12 per linear foot for copper piping. Meanwhile, PEX piping costs an average of $0.40 to $4 per linear foot. Along with price, there are many other things to consider when deciding between copper and PEX piping.
Copper Piping
Studies show that copper piping can last anywhere from 50 to 100 years. It is also UV resistant, recyclable, and does not leach harmful bacteria into a home’s water supply. These factors alone can convince most homeowners and plumbers to opt for copper piping. But it does not end there; copper piping can withstand very cold or hot temperatures and handle pressure up to 1000 psi, making it a sound choice for repairing or replacing piping connected to hot water tanks. It is also a good choice for repairs or replacements that involve any of the following:
- Garbage disposals
- Exposed pipes
- Well water
- Natural gas supply lines
- Sewer lines
- Tankless water heaters
- Whenever piping needs to run behind small or thin wall spaces
Copper piping is not without a few drawbacks. Whole-house repiping and resolving plumbing problems using copper piping requires specialized tools and a fair bit of effort, both of which can quickly drive up the cost of a plumbing job for homeowners, say professional plumbers with Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Gainesville, FL.
PEX Piping
Like copper, PEX piping can last a long time, typically 80 to 100 years, but it is easier and faster to install due to its flexibility and the need for fewer fittings. And compared to copper, PEX piping does a better job of resisting corrosion and scale buildup. Because of its lower energy requirements during manufacturing and its lower potential for leaks, PEX piping is more sustainable than its copper counterpart. Many homeowners choose PEX piping for water line replacements, expansion joint repairs, and to resolve leaks. It is also suitable for minor repairs to existing copper piping systems when used with approved fittings, like push-fit connectors or sweat adapters. While PEX piping offers many advantages, the following can make it a less-than-ideal choice:
- PEX pipes are sensitive to UV light, which makes them a poor choice for outside plumbing.
- PEX pipes are not recyclable.
- While rare, PEX pipes can leach harmful contaminants, such as aliphatic and aromatic compounds, into a home’s water supply.
- The use of PEX piping is subject to local building codes and regulations.
From cost to longevity, PEX and copper piping have pros and cons. To learn more about these plumbing materials or for help choosing the right option for your home, consider speaking with a Benjamin Franklin Plumbing associate today.