Pex vs copper and galvanized?

Finished up the ‘water softener addition’ project. Used a combination of Pex and copper(L grade) for this job. Not entirely sold on the ‘pex is more convenient/quicker’ mantra. Did have a couple pex fittings that leaked, and boy those are a royal pita to replace. PVC for this job was not in consideration due to findings that PVC taints water. CPVC is getting more of challenge to acquire in sizes larger than 3/4”, at least around anyway. Got two small leaks in the laundry room, both at transition points from one product to another.

This is the same style I used. The crimper, although marketed as ‘one handed’ is a bit tough after arthritis sets into your hands.

Lars.... the crimpers i have are about 18 inches long and definitely take two hands.. you just squeeze them like a pair of pliars till it hits and STOP lug... that SEATS the clamp.. I  probably did 100 of them and dont remember any leaking..

It is true the sizing of pex is deceiving, was always advised if using pex, to ‘step up a size’ from what would be considered a normal feed run. That why I used 1” pex to go 30’ to supply the water softener and laundry room. Will be utilizing the existing 3/4” pvc that runs 30’ back to the utility room where all the plumbing splits originate to all the other bathrooms, kitchen, outside faucets, etc. Later on if I notice a drop in flow with multiple taps running, I will switch out that 3/4” pvc with something larger. Municipal water psi is a steady 62.

I am required by a few inspectors to upsize 1/2" pex to 3/4" pex wherever 1/2 " copper was required.
Kitchen sink
Washer
Tub or Tub /shower faucet
Outside faucets
I argue that the openings inside said faucet, fixture are only 1/4" or 3/8" at best. So does it really matter.
My issues with pex are more about logistics. When I started 39 years ago we only had 2 boxes of copper fittings in the van ,1/2" and 3/4" . That was it . Today I have 3 boxes (1/2",3/4"& 1") of copper, cpvc,pvc,crimped
pex, expandable pex and copper pro press fittings. You have to buy "extras" for every job so you end up stocking all the different types of pipe and fittings. Hardest part of the job is gathering said pipe and fittings for each application. Menards carries some, Lowe's some and the 3 wholesale houses each carry some but none of them stock everything.
All these systems are approved and all work well ,just wish it was simpler.

Built home in 2014, 1" Copper off Main entrance line of 1 3/4" PVC thru basement wall off a HDPE Feeder.  1" Necks to 3/4" for most Feeder Lines then 1/2" lines to assorted use functions.  ALL Copper from the PVC and ALL Soldered with No lead Solder.
 

This is inbound.  1" T is flow in to Softener and to outside Spigots(3) header, Out of Softener is 1" to WH and supplies of Cold to remainder of House, necks to 3/4" just prior to split offs thru house drop to 1/2"

Edited by DMiller - 11 Sep 2026 at 11:37am