Why is Pex plumbing bad? Pros and Cons of Pex Plumbing

Pex is actually a Cross-linked Polyethylene pipe. There are a lot of reasons why Pex pipes are bad to install at home. The Pex pipe is non-recyclable and can introduce harmful chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) into the water supply. To know more, you should learn completely Why is Pex plumbing bad?

When you use a Pex pipe in your plumbing system, it has some benefits as well as drawbacks. Commercial buildings and houses depend on complex pipe systems to flow cold and warm water for various purposes. Moreover, if you need Pex plumbing in your home, then you may need to think again. 

What is Pex Plumbing?

Pex is a type of cross-linked polyethylene pipe used for plumbing purposes. Pex pipes are very flexible, and synthetic pipes, because of their flexibility, are very easy to install and use. To maintain its fitting into a good shape, Pex pipe is easily bent and is preferred over polyvinyl chloride and copper piping. This is a complex structure in which different plumbing traps are used.

Pex Plumbing is good for performing systems. But on the other hand, Why is Pex plumbing bad? Because it is not good when you install it in outdoor areas. If you install PEX plumbing in an outdoor area, it might cause a bursting pipe and a sudden leakage due to UV light.

Why is Pex plumbing bad for your houses?

Chlorine: Chlorine will badly affect the stability of Pex Plumbing. Because of this, the lifespan of the plumbing system is reduced.

UV Light: You don’t use Pex Plumbing in outdoor areas because the UV rays are directly showing to it and slowly breaking down the pipes.

Sponginess: As the Pex pipes are made of plastic, there is a chance that they can shrink when you use them for warm water and water heaters.

Germs: The Pex pipes are made up of plastic so that pests and rodents can chew the pipe and enter it. These bacteria can enter the pipe and pollute the water. Furthermore, it can occur when the pipes are installed deeply in the ground.

Pipe Damage: The pipes might be damaged, which causes the pipe to shorten its lifespan.

Change the Water Taste: One of the biggest reasons why Pex plumbing is bad is because it can affect the taste of water, and an unpleasant odor will come from it. Unfortunately, when water stays for a long time in Pex pipes, it can cause a bad taste.

However, you should know about when was indoor plumbing invented and how indoor plumbing became so common.

Pros and Cons of Pex Plumbing:

Here are some pros and cons of Pex Plumbing: By reading all of these, you should know why Pex plumbing is bad.

Pros of Pex:

Freezing Resistance:

One of the further benefits of Pex is its ability to withstand freezing conditions for longer. The pipe contracts and expands, especially Pex A. Pex A is made to contract and expand because of its connection.

Energy Efficient: 

Pex pipes work as a thermal insulator for hot water. It makes sure that the water easily reaches your taps from your water heater. The thick Pex pipe will lose just one or two degrees of heat, so it is not right to call it cold water. 

Easy to Install:

The installation of Pex is very easy because it is lightweight and a little bit flexible. Moreover, keep in mind that Pex A is more flexible than Pex B. You can easily bend it and make curves with it, and you can do different things with it. This is going to save you money and time on fittings.

Pex Material is Cheaper:

Pex material is plastic pipe, and it is cheaper than copper. It is very easy and simple to use to move, and easy to work with. It’s going to save you labor, too. We didn’t say that copper is hard, but it is a little bit heavier.

Long-Lasting warranty:

When we talk about the warranty of Pex Pipe, it lasts for 25 years. The Pex pipe is not going to rust and destroy with time like metal pipes. The yearly check-up of these Pex pipes is compulsory for a professional plumber.

Cons:

Reduction in the size of fitting:

If you look at the inside of this pipe, then look at how thick the wall of this fitting is. It surely creates a flow restriction in the pipe. When you use any tool to expand it, one thing about Pex is that it continuously tries to get back to its actual normal size.

Pests Attack:

Another common problem with Pex pipe is that it is easily chewed by pests and rodents because it is made of plastic. When they chew it with their sharp teeth, it causes a lot of holes in the pipe, which also cause uncleanness, an unpleasant taste and smell in the water, and leakage.

UV Rays:

The Pex pipe is not good if you want to use it for outdoor plumbing. It is not good to install them where UV rays directly hit them. The installation of the Pex pipe into the ground is not even a good choice. These UV rays can cause a reason for its failure, such as bursting the pipe or a sudden leakage.

Harmful Contaminants: 

A lot of plumbing companies and homeowners stated that some Pex pipes can cause harmful chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) into the water supply. According to scientific studies, Bisphenol A can cause reproductive, immunity issues, and neurological disorders.  

Non-Recyclable:

As the Pex pipe is made up of plastics, it is non-recyclable. When a new water line is installed, then the large pieces of Pex Pipe are thrown away. Waste Pex pipe ends up in landfills as a replacement for being dealt with for use again. This is also a common problem Why is Pex plumbing bad.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Do plumbers recommend PEX?

According to various plumbers and plumbing companies, the Pex pipes can be a reason for Bisphenol A that can cause many issues and disorders like Reproductive, immunity, and neurological.

Q. Is PEX bad for drinking water?

Well, there are not any bad things about drinking water from the Pex pipe but if the water remains in the pipes for a very long time, then it can cause a very bad taste and an undesirable taste.

Q. What is the lifespan of PEX plumbing?

The lifespan of Pex Plumbing is about 25 years. There is less chance for Pex pipes to break and crack than metal pipes.  

Epilogue:

When choosing a Pex plumbing pipe for your home, first select the place where you are going to install it. carefully select a place and install it properly. The selection of Pex plumbing installation in an outdoor area is not a good choice because there is a chance that it will be damaged because of UV rays. That’s Why is Pex plumbing bad in the water supply system.