Why people consider swapping copper for PEX
Copper has served homes for decades, and it is durable and well understood. It can also develop pinhole leaks from the inside, particularly in some water, and replacing leaking sections one at a time gets expensive and disruptive. PEX is a flexible plastic pipe that goes in faster, with fewer joints, and it handles freezing better.
That does not make PEX right for every home. If copper is sound with an isolated leak, a repair is often enough. If leaks keep appearing in different places, a repipe may cost less over time than repeated repairs and the damage they cause. The decision turns on the pattern, not on a single failure.
Our repiping page explains how a repipe is done, and this guide helps decide whether to do one.
Copper and PEX compared
| Question | Copper | PEX |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | More labor and joints | Faster, fewer joints |
| Freeze tolerance | Can split | Handles freezing better |
| Pinhole risk | Can develop in some water | Not subject to pitting |
| Sunlight | Not affected | Must be kept out of sunlight |
| Repairs | Soldered or compression fittings | Crimp or expansion fittings |
| Longevity | Many decades when sound | Newer, long track record |
Signs that a repipe may be worth considering
- Repeated pinhole leaks in different spots in the copper.
- Green or blue stains on pipes and fittings.
- Falling water pressure throughout the home, not at one fixture.
- Discolored water at first open of a tap.
- Leaks in a slab, where a reroute through the attic or walls may beat chasing slab lines.
- A house of an age when pipes are known to fail, with a history of repairs.
What a repipe involves
A repipe replaces the supply lines that carry water to each fixture. New lines are routed through walls, ceilings and the attic or crawlspace, with as few openings as the layout allows. Each fixture gets a new connection, and the main supply is reconnected.
Water is off for part of each day, and some drywall is opened and left for patching. A good plumber plans the shutoffs to limit disruption and tells you which repairs are yours. A partial repipe replaces only a problem section, such as the lines to one bathroom or the lines under a slab, which suits homes with limited trouble.
PEX, copper and the climate of Apple Valley
Winter lows in Apple Valley reach the low 20s, with a record low of -1F. Pipes in attics, crawlspaces and outside walls can freeze, and rigid pipe splits more easily than flexible PEX, which can expand slightly. That is one reason PEX is common in colder areas, though insulation and heat matter more than the material.
Water chemistry matters for copper. Liberty Utilities reported a 2022 average hardness near 80 ppm and a range of 57 to 130 ppm, and the Town lists 11 purveyors, each with its own water. Pitting depends on water chemistry and flow, so you cannot assume what your pipes will do from the town average alone. Permit rules vary, so ask the Town of Apple Valley Building and Safety Division before starting.
PEX for drinking water should be listed to a recognized standard, and the pipe is printed with the standard it meets. Check the markings on any pipe before it goes in your walls.
Source: Town of Apple Valley climate profile and Liberty Utilities 2022 water quality data.
Questions to ask before you sign for a repipe
Insurance, permits and resale
A planned repipe is a home improvement cost, and insurance does not usually pay for it. Water damage from a sudden failure may be covered, so ask your agent. Some insurers ask about the age and material of plumbing, and a new system can help.
A repipe usually needs a permit and an inspection. Check with the Town of Apple Valley, or with the city in Victorville or Hesperia if you live there. See our Victorville and Hesperia pages for coverage, and our leak detection page if you want to confirm where a problem is before deciding.
A fair way to compare quotes for a repipe
Get at least two quotes and ask each plumber to price the same scope. A fair quote lists the number of fixtures, the material, the permit, the drywall plan and the warranty. One that is far lower than the rest often leaves something out, such as a permit, shutoff valves or patching.
Ask also how the plumber plans to handle the water heater connections and any outdoor lines, since those are easy to forget. The cheapest quote is not the best one if it leaves you with open walls and a list of extra charges. Take your time, since a repipe is a job you do once.
Copper to PEX questions from Apple Valley homeowners
PEX handles freezing better and is faster to install. Copper is durable and well known. Neither is right for every home.
Usually several days, with water off for part of each day.
Rules vary by job and town. Ask the Town of Apple Valley Building and Safety Division.
If corroded pipes cause it, yes. If the cause is elsewhere, such as a regulator, a repipe will not.
Yes. A partial repipe replaces a problem section.
Still have a question about your situation? Call (760) 986-1999 any hour and ask.