There are a lot of choices to be made when considering materials for a remodeling project and one of the most important areas in this regard is plumbing. While copper and PVC have been the standard for years, a new product, cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), is gaining momentum as the new product of choice.
Here are a few of the reasons why:
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Safety and Durability - The thermo-set plastic that makes up the majority of PEX plumbing system is an inert compound: PEX tubing is nontoxic and won't contaminate water running through the system. Unlike PVC, which uses chemical solvents to join parts and copper piping systems, which often use lead solder to join parts, a PEX plumbing system's parts join without the use of chemicals. PEX exhibits greater durability than other plumbing piping. PEX resists two of the most common failures of alternative piping systems: corrosion and bursting due to low temperatures.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Installation – Although it requires some special tools, PEX is far easier to install especially in situations where the homeowner would rather use “home runs” instead of the traditional “tee” system.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Versatility – Especially in a remodel, PEX allows the contractor to be far less invasive of areas that are not actually in the project since PEX is flexible, and can be worked into small spaces far easier than copper pipe.
For more information about PEX piping and the other modern materials we use in our custom properties, please contact us at Country Club Homes Inc. We can be found online at CountryClubHomesInc.com or reached directly at 203-762-0550.