It can be hard to take on a home renovation project, especially if it is concerning a necessity like plumbing, where you are presented with many options that most people don’t know much about. However, if you find yourself faced with a water leak and you have to re-pipe some of the plumbing in your home, there are two types of pipes you need to know about; copper or PEX.
Copper Piping
This has been a long time standard in household plumbing and requires the work of a professional plumber for soldering pipes and fittings together. Copper’s natural attributes make it ideal for plumbing purposes. Bacteria have difficulty growing in copper, and it can also resist corrosion and ultraviolet rays, allowing it to be ideal indoors and outside. The only downfall of copper is the cost, and the risk of corrosion based on the pH levels of water, as well as frozen water in colder climates that can cause copper pipes to burst.
PEX Piping
PEX piping is a modern alternative to copper piping that comes in typically about a third of the cost of copper piping. It was introduced in the 1980s in the United States and is often found in heated flooring applications and plumbing repairs. PEX has other benefits such as flexibility, resistance to scale and chlorine with faster and more efficient installation processes. Although PEX is not suitable for outdoor use, it is much more resistant to freezing temperatures with a smaller risk of bursting in cold climates. PEX is usually colour coded based on water temperatures which is also a handy feature for plumbers and home owners who are trying their plumbing skills out at home. Another advantage of PEX is that you can salvage your fittings. If you are re-routing pipe or turning an elbow into a tee, all you end up discarding is the crimp ring and a very small length of pipe that can be reused.
The best times to use copper piping is outdoor projects and other places where pipes are susceptible to more harsh conditions such as underneath the kitchen sink. However, it is important to check with building codes before you get started on any major renovation project, to be sure you are working within the regulations of your neighbourhood.
If you are looking for a Dundas Plumber, or surrounding areas like Waterdown, Ancaster, Hamilton or Flamborough, contact Ward's Water Pumps Today!
RSS Feed