I have decided that I need to re-route some water supply lines (currently copper) in our basement so that the pipes are no longer near the electrical panel.

I'm just looking for some opinions on whether I should use PEX or copper when I do the re-routing.

I am looking for the better of the two as far as quality (water flow, performance, how long it will last, etc). I have plenty of experience with copper pipes but no experience with PEX, although it looks rather easy to install. I am not worried about the cost in either case (it's a small job)... I just want the better of the two options.

Which would you recommend?

Hi Frazwood

Pex has a learning curve and special tools are required AND EXPENSIVE. Although I use PEX for plenty of things and I think it is a great product, for the average homeowner doing a small project it simply isn't worth messing with learning all the new things.

Here, it will probably take more time learning about the tools and figuring out the correct parts needed for the job than it will take to simply install all this as copper. Note also, that even if you use PEX you still need to transition from copper to PEX and that is usually done with a torch and solder so, again, I'd probably stick with the copper here... :)

That's my 2 cents!

Mark

Thanks Mark!

Tim