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My understanding is that PEX is supposed to be quieter than copper. As for PEX vs. copper, PEX is a much more inexpensive material (as opposed to copper) so some folks might opt for it for budgetary reasons as well. It's less susceptible to freeze/bursting than copper, but is made up of oil, and has the potential (due to exposure to hot water running through) for chemical leaching into drinking water. It's a toss up.
Pex is also less susceptible to being ripped out of a vacant house by drug addicts!
Pex is also less susceptible to being ripped out of a vacant house by drug addicts!
They'll still have to destroy your walls to see whether or not there's copper in there.
My primary concern for PEX plumbed homes would be the date of the install. Prior to 2001, PEX was found to leach MTBEs into the water. People were advised to flush their pipes daily or to install reverse osmosis purifiers.
Since you clowns have started to argue who knows more about copper vs pex, and who has the most knowledge on the subject instead of answering the OP's question, which should be the main purpose of this thread...
The ticking could be the noise you hear from the water meter. I had new 3/4" service plumbed into my house, and noticed the same ticking noise you speak of. It's nothing to be concerned about. You'll forget about it in a few weeks.
Since you clowns have started to argue who knows more about copper vs pex, and who has the most knowledge on the subject instead of answering the OP's question, which should be the main purpose of this thread...
The title of the thread is "Red flexible water pipe". If you keep looking around, I'm sure you'll find the "clueless dimwits with nothing to offer" thread. Lord knows I've started a few in my day.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kayo_michael
The ticking could be the noise you hear from the water meter. I had new 3/4" service plumbed into my house, and noticed the same ticking noise you speak of. It's nothing to be concerned about. You'll forget about it in a few weeks.
OK scratch that...I didn't realize you couldn't read
We re-did most of the house in 2011 and the contractor/plumber used the plastic tubing. He stated that's how it's all done now and is easier to work with. I'm sure it being cheaper is a plus too. We have no noise coming from them. Very quiet when the baseboard heat is running too.
The ticking you here may be because your plumber didn't secure the pex properly. Pex expands and contracts, and when it's touching wood it causes those ticking sounds. Make sure the pex is isolated from the wood and those sounds should go away. I wouldn't use pex for drinking water though. Copper has properties in it that kill some bacteria and pex doesn't offer that.
We had those same ticking noises 25 years ago with copper. Like bmg said, it is possible that the plumber didn't properly secure it.
I love pex, but would not have buried fittings in the walls - the good thing about it is that you can have homeruns to the basement manifold. Not having any joints or fittings is one of its attractions.
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