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    scalres's Avatar
    scalres Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 4, 2012, 09:36 AM
    Copper or PEX when repiping?
    When repiping a home, is copper better than PEX? We live on a hill and have rats nearby on the hillside living in ivy. One plumber said that copper would be the best and that rats can get to the PEX. Is this true? We have had rats in the walls on occasion (not too much but every once in a while, about twice in 10 years). I have heard that copper last longer than PEX.
    ballengerb1's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #2

    Mar 4, 2012, 10:11 AM
    Copper is more expensive and difficult to use in a repiping. Rats and mice can chew Pex and PVC or Cpvc but its your call. Twice in 10 years and who is to say they will chew uour pipes just because they got in. I'd spend a few dollars baiting the rats.
    Chris_Klein's Avatar
    Chris_Klein Posts: 6, Reputation: 2
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Mar 7, 2012, 06:02 AM
    Pex, PPr, PVC.. Is the future of piping! Copper- expansion, heat loss, lack of flexibility etc. it's not worth it!
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
    Plumbing Expert
    		  
    #4

    Mar 7, 2012, 05:50 PM
    I would suggest pex, and get an exterminater to take care of the rats, and a contractor to seal the home so no more rats can get in. Pex will outlast copper in most instances.
    afaroo's Avatar
    afaroo Posts: 4,006, Reputation: 251
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #5

    Mar 7, 2012, 07:20 PM
    Hello scalres,

    Both Ballenger and Mygirlsdad gave you excellent advices and I agree with both of them, it is your call to which way to go of course copper is expensive, Thanks.

    John
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
    Eternal Plumber
    		  
    #6

    Mar 8, 2012, 07:21 AM
    Rats first! When they're eliminated pipe with Pex. Good luck, Tom
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