PEX vs CPVC for Whole House Repiping

Dec 28, 2022
5 min read

PEX piping is a modern solution for homeowners, realtors, and community association managers looking to upgrade their plumbing systems. It's quickly becoming the go-to material due to its affordability, versatility, durability and ease of installation compared to traditional CPVC pipe. This blog post will discuss the benefits of PEX piping as well as how it can be used in home construction projects. Additionally we'll provide an overview on how it should be installed properly along with maintenance tips that you need to know about when using this type of piping system. Finally we'll take a look at why PEX has become so popular over CPVC in recent years - providing insight into why choosing this option could make sense for your next project!

Benefits of PEX Piping

PEX piping is an increasingly popular choice for home construction projects due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. This type of pipe has been used in Europe since the 1970s and is now gaining traction in North America as a reliable option for plumbing systems. Here are some of the benefits of PEX piping that make it an attractive choice for homeowners, realtors, and community association managers.

Durability: PEX pipes are incredibly durable compared to other types of pipes like copper or CPVC. They can withstand temperatures ranging from -40°F to 200°F without cracking or breaking down over time. Additionally, they have a high resistance to corrosion caused by water with high mineral content or acidic pH levels which makes them ideal for use in areas with hard water conditions. The life expectancy of PEX piping can be up to 50 years when properly maintained and installed correctly making it a great long-term investment for any home project.

Cost-Effectiveness: Another benefit of using PEX piping is its cost-effectiveness compared to other materials such as copper or CPVC pipes. CPVC and Copper are more labor intensive to install than PEX. In addition, installation costs are typically lower than traditional methods because fewer fittings are needed during installation due to the flexibility of the material allowing it to bend around corners easily reducing labor costs associated with connecting multiple pieces together.

One major advantage that sets PEX apart from other types of pipes is its flexibility which allows it to bend around tight spaces without having additional fittings added on during installation, saving both time and money while also reducing potential leak points throughout your system making it easier to maintain over time. It’s also lightweight, making transport easy, while still being able to handle pressure up to 120 psi depending on size so you don’t have to worry about losing flow rate if you choose this material for your next project.

PEX piping is a cost-effective and durable option for many plumbing needs, making it an ideal choice for homeowners, realtors, and community association managers. Moving on to the installation process of PEX piping...

Key Takeaway: PEX piping is an excellent choice for home construction projects due to its durability, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility. Benefits include:

• Durability - High resistance to corrosion with a life expectancy of up to 50 years.

• Cost-Effectiveness - Lower installation costs than traditional methods due to fewer fittings needed during installation.

• Flexibility - Allows it to bend around tight spaces without additional fittings, reducing leak points and labor costs.

Installation Process for PEX Piping

Preparation and Planning: Before beginning any installation, it is important to plan out the layout of the pipes. Additionally, it is important to consider any potential obstacles or obstructions that may interfere with the installation process. This is why it is recommended to have a professional like Repipe Experts install your piping system.

Connecting the Pipes: PEX-A is assembled using cold expansion meaning it is expanded to allow the fitting to be inserted. PEX-B are often connected together by pushing them into one another until they fit snugly and then using a clamping ring to hold it in place. It’s important to make sure that there are no leaks at any connection points before moving on to testing the system.

After all connections have been made, air testing ensures proper installation of your PEX pipe system. If everything looks good then you can move forward with finishing touches such as insulation and covering exposed piping with protective sleeves if necessary before putting your new plumbing system into use.

Installing PEX pipe is a relatively straightforward process, but it's important to have a professional take the necessary precautions. The advantages of using PEX over CPVC pipe make it an attractive option for homeowners and realtors alike, so let's look at those now.

Advantages of PEX Piping Over CPVC Piping

PEX piping is a popular choice for home construction projects due to its superior temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and longevity. It is constructed from cross-linked polyethylene which makes it more durable than CPVC pipe. PEX also requires fewer fittings than CPVC pipe which makes it easier to install.

Temperature Resistance: PEX piping has excellent temperature resistance compared to CPVC pipe making it suitable for hot water applications up to 200°F (93°C). This makes it an ideal choice for plumbing systems, radiant heating systems, and other applications that require high temperatures.

Chemical Resistance: The cross-linked polyethylene construction of PEX gives the material superior chemical resistance when compared with CPVC pipes. This means that PEX can withstand exposure to acids, alkalis, oils and other chemicals without corroding or degrading over time like some other materials would do in similar conditions.

Longevity and Durability: Due to its strong construction and chemical resistance properties, PEX piping has a much longer lifespan than traditional copper or steel pipes as well as PVC or CPVC pipes. In fact, many manufacturers offer warranties on their products ranging from 25 years up to 50 years depending on the type of product used in the installation process.

Overall, PEX piping offers numerous advantages over traditional metal pipes such as copper or steel as well as PVC or CPVC pipes including better temperature resistance, improved chemical resistance properties and increased durability leading to a longer lifespan overall. Homeowners looking for an efficient solution should consider using this versatile material in their next project.

The advantages of PEX piping over CPVC piping are clear, making it an ideal choice for home construction projects. Next, let's look at the common uses for PEX piping in home construction projects.

Key Takeaway: PEX piping is a great choice for home construction projects due to its superior temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and longevity. It is more durable than CPVC pipe and requires fewer fittings which makes it easier to install. Benefits include:

• Temperature Resistance up to 200°F (93°C)

• Chemical Resistance against acids, alkalis, oils and other chemicals

• Longer Lifespan with warranties ranging from 25-50 years

Common Uses for PEX Piping in Home Construction Projects

It can be used in both hot and cold water applications as well as underground installations without fear of corrosion or leakage. Here are some common uses for PEX piping:

Plumbing Systems: PEX pipes are commonly used in plumbing systems, such as sinks, showers, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines and more. They’re easy to install and require minimal maintenance compared to other types of pipe materials like copper or PVC. Additionally, they’re resistant to freezing temperatures which makes them ideal for outdoor use in colder climates.

Radiant Heating Systems: Radiant heating systems use heated water that circulates through a network of pipes beneath the flooring surface to provide warmth throughout the home. PEX pipes are an excellent choice for these systems because they have high temperature tolerance levels and their flexible nature allows them to be easily routed around obstacles within walls or floors without having to make costly modifications.

Water Supply Lines & Sprinkler Systems: PEX pipes are also often used in water supply lines from the main source into the house as well as sprinkler systems outside the home. Their flexibility makes it easier than ever before when it comes time to route these lines through tight spaces between walls or under foundations with minimal effort required on behalf of installers. Additionally, since they don’t corrode over time like metal piping does, homeowners can rest assured knowing their system will remain intact even after years of exposure to harsh weather conditions outdoors.

Overall, PEX piping has become a go-to material for many different types of home construction projects due to its ease-of-use during the installation process combined with its superior strength and resistance against damage caused by extreme temperatures or corrosive elements found in soil or groundwater sources near homesites.

PEX piping is an ideal solution for home construction projects, as it is cost-effective and durable. Now let's look at some tips to help keep your PEX piping system in good condition.

Key Takeaway: PEX piping is a popular choice for home construction projects due to its durability, flexibility, and resistance to corrosion. It can be used in plumbing systems, radiant heating systems, water supply lines and sprinkler systems with minimal maintenance required. Its flexibility allows it to be easily routed around obstacles without costly modifications while its superior strength makes it resistant to extreme temperatures or corrosive elements found in soil or groundwater sources near homesites


FAQs 

Is PEX better than CPVC?

PEX and CPVC are both popular piping materials used in residential plumbing. PEX is a flexible plastic pipe that is more resistant to freezing temperatures, making it an ideal choice for colder climates. It also requires fewer fittings than CPVC, which makes installation easier and faster. On the other hand, CPVC pipes are rigid and need to be installed with glue or solvents, making them suitable for tight spaces where flexibility isn't necessary. Both types of pipe have their advantages and disadvantages; however, overall PEX tends to be the preferred option due to its ease of installation and resistance to cold weather conditions.

Is PEX pipe good for plumbing?

Yes, PEX pipe is a great option for plumbing. It's flexible and durable, making it easy to install in tight spaces. It also resists corrosion and can handle high temperatures, so it won't break down over time. Additionally, PEX piping is cost-effective compared to other materials like copper or PVC. Finally, PEX pipes are safe for drinking water as they don't contain any toxic chemicals that could leach into the water supply. All of these benefits make PEX pipe an excellent choice for plumbing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, PEX piping is a great choice for home construction projects due to its durability, ease of installation and maintenance. It offers many advantages over CPVC pipe in terms of cost savings, flexibility and resistance to corrosion. Homeowners, realtors and community association managers should consider using PEX piping when making decisions about their plumbing systems as it can provide long-term benefits that will save time and money in the future. With proper care and maintenance, PEX piping can be an excellent investment for any property owner or manager looking to make sure their plumbing system is up to date with modern standards.

Are you looking for a reliable solution to replace your old piping? Repipe Experts specialize in PEX piping, offering superior quality and lasting durability. We understand the importance of ensuring that all plumbing is up-to-date and efficient so that you can have peace of mind knowing everything runs smoothly. With our expertise, we will provide an effective repiping service with minimal disruption to your home or business.

Contact us today to get started on the path towards better plumbing!

Schedule your FREE Consultation

Repipe Experts can help assess what needs replacing, provide quality materials, and complete your project in a timely manner with minimal disruption.

White Repipe Experts truck parked in front of a house for a whole house repipe with PEX

Related Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is populated by the multi reference field inside of each blog post. This section is not connected to the Global FAQ system aside from the CMS bindings. This yellow warning section will be hidden on the live website.
What is PEX?

Homeowners seeking to replace their plumbing system should look no further than PEX piping. This resilient material is crafted from cross-linked polyethylene and can withstand corrosion, rusting, freezing temperatures – all of which make it a more reliable choice for repiping compared to copper, galvanized pipes, CPVC and Polybutylene. With its long lifespan and unrivaled durability, homeowners will rest easy knowing that PEX has them covered!

Learn more: PEX and PEX Repipe

What brand(s) of PEX Piping does Repipe Experts use?

Repipe Experts use PEX-A and PEX-B pipe manufactured in the USA. Our PEX pipe is manufactured using a quality management system which has been certified to the latest version of ISO 9001.

Why is PEX pipe superior over CPVC pipe?

PEX piping is a popular choice for home construction projects due to its superior temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and longevity. It is constructed from cross-linked polyethylene which makes it more durable than CPVC pipe. PEX also requires fewer fittings than CPVC pipe which makes it easier to install. Due to its strong construction and chemical resistance properties, PEX piping has a much longer lifespan than CPVC pipes. The cross-linked polyethylene construction of PEX gives the material superior chemical resistance when compared with CPVC pipes. This means that PEX can withstand exposure to acids, alkalis, oils and other chemicals without corroding or degrading over time like some other materials would do in similar conditions. Also, PEX does not require glue or solvents to combine them like CPVC.

Learn more: PEX vs CPVC for Whole House Repipes

Why is PEX pipe superior over Copper Pipe?

PEX pipe offers several advantages over copper pipe when it comes to plumbing applications. Corrosion resistance is one of the primary benefits of using PEX pipe instead of copper. Copper can corrode over time, leading to leaks causing flooding and property damage. PEX pipes are made from a plastic material that is resistant to corrosion. Temperature resistance is another advantage that PEX has over copper. Copper pipes can expand and contract with changes in temperature, which can cause them to break or become damaged over time. PEX pipes are much more flexible and able to withstand extreme temperatures without breaking or becoming damaged.

Learn more: PEX vs Copper for a Whole House Repipe