Do you need to repair or replace the hot or cold water supply lines in your Northern Virginia home? Whether you plan to handle the job yourself or hire professional Northern Virginia plumbers, you should understand your options. Two of the most common types of plumbing pipe in use today are PEX and copper piping.
Most homeowners are familiar with copper piping, but you may not have heard of PEX. PEX is cross-linked polyethylene piping which means it is made out of plastic. PEX has proven to be an excellent alternative to traditional copper piping for residential hot and cold water supply lines.
PEX can withstand hot and cold temperatures and, unlike copper, PEX can expand a little which means it is less likely to burst in below freezing temperatures. PEX is flexible and easy to work with. It can be bent around corners so fewer fittings are needed. No soldering or messy glues are needed with PEX piping.
Connections and fittings are installed using a simple crimping tool. For some homeowners, the cost of the specialized crimping tool is a disadvantage to PEX tubing. Another disadvantage of PEX is that it cannot be installed outdoors. Copper or PVC are good choices for outdoor potable water supply lines.
PEX is much less expensive than copper piping and is also less labor intensive. Its ease of installation makes it a great choice for homeowner and plumbing professionals alike. Many plumbers still prefer to use copper piping because they are familiar with it and have been working with it for years. Copper is still an excellent choice, but don’t be surprised if your plumber recommends using PEX piping for your next plumbing repair.
