PEX: How Does it Compare to CPVC?

Find out why crosslinked polyethylene plumbing pipe, known as PEX, is easier to install and more durable than other options.

LESLIE: Alright, now we’ve got Jim in Georgia with a plumbing question. What can we do for you today?

JIM: Yeah, I do. Listen, I do a lot of remodeling. We have rental homes and we buy them in disrepair. We’re doing everything basically in CPVC in the house and PVC to the house.

TOM: Right.

JIM: And you guys recommended PEX …

TOM: Yes.

JIM: … and I walk by PEX in the hardware store all the time and never consider it. Can you give me some advice on it? What are your thoughts on PEX compared to CPVC?

TOM: Well, I think it’s a very convenient product because it’s easy to run. I mean you run PEX like you run wiring. It’s very, very flexible.

And of course, for those that are not familiar with PEX, PEX is short for cross-linked polyethylene, which is a type of plumbing pipe. Easy connections to make; you know, not a lot of specialized equipment, no torches involved. You can take PEX and heat it and stretch it and it has got memory; comes right back to the same shape it was before, so it’s really durable stuff. And I just really like working with it. I just think it’s a great product and a lot easier and a lot more durable than other products that are out there. And so for remodeling it’s perfect because you can twist and turn this stuff and basically get it anywhere you need to go.

LESLIE: (overlapping voices) Get around things.

JIM: So we don’t have to wait on all those glue joints to dry. We put in a lot of elbows and Ts and …

LESLIE: No.

TOM: (overlapping voices) Right. No. Once you put it in, you’re completely good to go. And in fact, you know, with those glue joints, too, if you don’t clean them right, you don’t get them …

LESLIE: It doesn’t stick.

TOM: It doesn’t stick and it leaks. You can develop leaks and there’s no way to fix a broken joint like that; you have to rip out the pipe and put a new piece in.

LESLIE: And the PEX is like a crimping system.

TOM: Yeah, exactly.

LESLIE: So it just locks it up.

TOM: If you’re doing a lot of remodeling, I would invest in the tools and I think you’re really going to find that you love this stuff and it’ll be one of those things where you wonder why it took you so long.

JIM: OK. Well, based on that, I’ll give it a try. We’ll see how it goes. I appreciate that.

TOM: Alright, Jim. You’re very welcome. Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.