PEX has become the standard for residential repiping, and for good reason. It’s flexible, corrosion-resistant, easier to install than copper, and built to last. Homes with aging galvanized, polybutylene, or corroded copper pipe are increasingly being repiped with PEX, and the results hold up well over time. Our team has experience with all major PEX systems and has served Goose Creek and the Tri-County area for more than 30 years. Call us at (843) 572-8522 to schedule a free consultation.
PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene. It’s a type of flexible plastic tubing that was introduced in the 1980s and became widely used in residential plumbing by the early 2000s. Today it’s the dominant material in new residential construction across the country and the preferred choice for whole-house repiping projects.
The cross-linking process changes the molecular structure of the polyethylene, which gives PEX its durability, heat resistance, and flexibility. Unlike rigid pipe materials, PEX can be bent and curved through walls, around obstacles, and into tight spaces without requiring the same number of fittings and joints that copper or CPVC installations do.
Homeowners switching from copper or galvanized steel to PEX notice the difference quickly. Here’s what makes PEX the preferred choice for repiping.
PEX does not rust, oxidize, or corrode. Galvanized steel corrodes from the inside out. Old copper pits and develops pinhole leaks. PEX is immune to both of those failure modes.
The interior surface of PEX is smooth and does not accumulate scale from dissolved minerals the way metal pipes do. This means the pipe diameter stays consistent over the life of the installation.
PEX has some give when water inside it freezes, which reduces the risk of a burst pipe during a freeze event compared to rigid copper or galvanized steel. This is a meaningful advantage in homes where crawl space pipes are exposed to cold snaps.
PEX absorbs some of the shock of pressure changes in the water line, which reduces the banging sound, sometimes called water hammer, that rigid pipe systems are prone to.
Because PEX is flexible, it can be run continuously from the manifold to a fixture with fewer connections along the way. Fewer fittings mean fewer places where leaks can occur.
PEX goes in faster than copper because it requires fewer cuts, fittings, and soldering steps. That translates to lower labor costs and a shorter job timeline.
PEX costs less per foot than copper, and the installation savings compound that advantage. For most homeowners, PEX repiping is noticeably less expensive than copper for the same scope of work.
Not all PEX is the same. There are three main types, distinguished by the method used to cross-link the polyethylene during manufacturing. Each has different handling characteristics and fitting systems.
PEX-A uses the Engel method of cross-linking, which produces the most flexible and consistent pipe of the three types. It can be expanded at the fitting connection using an expansion tool, which creates a strong, compression-style joint. PEX-A also has a memory property. If it gets kinked during installation, applying heat allows it to return to its original shape. It’s generally considered the highest-quality PEX type and is the preferred choice for whole-house repiping jobs.
PEX-B is slightly stiffer than PEX-A and uses a different cross-linking method during manufacturing. It connects with crimp or clamp fittings rather than expansion fittings. PEX-B is widely available, reliable, and used in a large volume of residential installations. It’s a solid choice for most repiping applications and is often more readily available than PEX-A in local markets.
PEX-C uses electron beam irradiation for cross-linking, done after the pipe is formed. It’s less flexible than PEX-A and is less commonly used for whole-house repiping, appearing more often in shorter runs or specific applications. We use PEX-A for most whole-house jobs and will explain our material recommendation during the consultation.
PEX repiping is a good fit in several situations.
Both of these older materials fail over time and PEX is the most common replacement material in residential repiping today.
When corrosion or repeated leaks are isolated to a specific section of the house, a partial repipe in that area using PEX is often more cost-effective than replacing the entire system.
When a bathroom or kitchen addition requires new supply lines, running PEX from the existing manifold to the new fixtures integrates cleanly with most existing systems.
Homes where pinhole leaks have started appearing in copper pipe are good candidates for PEX repiping, especially if the leaks are showing up in multiple locations.
We walk through the entire home to assess the existing pipe layout, identify the locations of all fixtures, and plan the routing of the new PEX lines in a way that minimizes wall openings.
PEX can be fished through walls and around turns that rigid pipe cannot. We take advantage of that flexibility to reduce the number of wall openings required.
We shut off water in sections as we work rather than cutting off water to the whole house for the full duration of the job.
New PEX lines are run from a central manifold to each fixture in the home, with individual shutoffs at the manifold for each line.
Once all the lines are in place and connected, we pressure test the full system to confirm all joints and fittings are leak-free before we close any wall openings.
We patch all the access points we opened during installation, leaving the walls ready for paint or finish work.
PEX repiping is less expensive than copper repiping for the same scope of work, both in materials and in labor. Here are the general ranges for Goose Creek homeowners.
The final cost depends on the size of the home, the number of fixtures, the condition of the existing pipe, and how much wall access and patching is required. We provide a written estimate after the walkthrough so you have a clear number before any commitment.
PEX pipe carries an expected service life of 50 years or more under normal residential conditions. Most manufacturers back their PEX products with warranties ranging from 25 to 50 years. The cross-linking process that gives PEX its durability also makes it resistant to chlorine, common household chemicals, and the mineral content found in most municipal water supplies.
The fittings and connections used with PEX are also rated for long-term performance. Expansion-style fittings used with PEX-A are particularly durable and less prone to failure over time than crimp fittings.
Some homeowners have questions about PEX before committing to it. Here are the most common ones addressed directly.
PEX degrades when exposed to direct sunlight over time. This is not a concern for pipes inside walls, crawl spaces, or enclosed utility areas, but PEX should not be used for exposed outdoor applications.
Rodents can chew through PEX, so homes with a history of pest activity should address that issue directly. Avoiding PEX because of it isn't the answer.
PEX is rated for water temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well above the range of any residential hot water system. It is not suitable for direct contact with a heat source, but that does not apply in standard residential plumbing.
We’re trained and experienced with all major PEX systems, including PEX-A expansion and PEX-B crimp installations. We’ve repiped homes across Goose Creek for more than 30 years, give straightforward recommendations, and back every job with a full warranty on materials and labor.
Yes. PEX costs less per foot than copper and installs faster because it requires fewer fittings and no soldering. For a whole-house repipe, those savings on materials and labor make PEX noticeably less expensive than copper for the same scope of work.
PEX is expected to last 50 years or more under normal residential conditions. Most manufacturers offer warranties from 25 to 50 years, and proper installation is the key factor in reaching that lifespan.
Yes. PEX used in residential plumbing is NSF/ANSI 61 certified, the standard for materials in contact with drinking water. It does not leach harmful chemicals under normal conditions.
PEX should not be used where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. UV exposure degrades the material over time. For outdoor or exposed applications, copper or CPVC are the better choices.
PEX handles brief freeze events better than copper or galvanized steel because it has some flexibility when the water inside it expands. It can still fail under sustained extreme cold, but it’s more resistant to freeze damage than rigid pipe materials.
Let’s ask something to us! Reach out I’d love to hear about your question about our services.
