5 Ways PEX Tubing Is Superior To Other Plumbing Tools

In an earlier post about the PEX plumbing revolution, we hinted at the many ways PEX tubing is superior to other plumbing materials. We told you to stay tuned for a post that would take a more in-depth look at this advantages and guess what? This is that post!

Before we dive into the benefits of installing PEX tubing, it’s important to pay homage to the plumbing materials that came before. Thankfully, we finally learned that lead was a terrible material for plumbing, so the two most popular alternatives became:

Copper Plumbing

A durable and relatively flexible metal, copper piping has been around for many decades and is still used in both new and existing construction. Copper piping is known for being biostatic, which means it fights back against bacterial growth that can occur in plumbing. Because it’s unaffected by ultraviolet rays, copper can also be used in outdoor applications. The only downside is that copper can corrode over time, it has become quite expensive, and it can freeze and burst in cold-weather climates.

CPVC Plumbing

CPVC stands for “chlorinated polyvinyl chloride” and is also a popular alternative to copper plumbing. There are some important reasons why CPVC holds less than 15 percent of the plumbing market share, starting with its rigid nature. Unable to bend around corners, CPVC requires scores of joints and fittings to allow it to wind through the bowels of a structure. Each joint and fitting slows down the installation process and increases the total cost of the job. Rain and high humidity are hard on all of these CPVC connections, and sun exposure can cause them to fail, so outside applications are a no-no.

Now let’s discuss the ways that installing PEX tubing can help consumers avoid all of these problems and more.

1. PEX Tubing Is More Affordable

Because it’s not rigid and made of plastic instead of a costly metal, PEX tubing offers great cost-saving advantages. It’s lightweight nature and ability to be coiled make it easier to ship and store, reducing costs for contractors, plumbers, and DIY home improvement warriors.

2. PEX Tubing Is Faster To Install

Because PEX tubing can bend and wind around a structure, it requires far fewer joints and fittings. This reduces installation time drastically.

3. PEX Tubing Won’t Corrode

Unlike copper, PEX tubing resists corrosion, pitting, and scaling, giving it a longer lifespan in outdoor applications.

4. PEX Doesn’t Require Glue

Unlike CPVC plumbing, the connections that do need to be made in PEX tubing don’t require the use of dangerous chemical glues or solvents that could potentially contaminate a potable water supply.

5. PEX Is Less Likely To Burst In Freezing Temperatures

PEX is much more resistant to bursts and breakage in cold weather than copper or rigid plastic pipe. This makes it ideal for the radiant heating of driveways and sidewalks in cold climates.

These advantages make it easy to see why so many more plumbers are installing PEX tubing these days. Remember, if PEX is becoming a large part of what you do, it’s important to use our PEX plumbing supplies to make your installation process easier.

Check out our PEX GUN and other accessories that will turn you into PEX expert.