Home Water Pipe Restoration Options

Many customers ask what is the difference between copper, PEX and epoxy coating when considering re-piping in the home. How to know which one is the best? After more than 40 years in the construction and remodeling business, this is what I learned:

Copper, PEX and Epoxy Coating:

All pipeline restoration projects, regardless of type, require the Client to do the following before work can begin:

1. Purchase boxes, tape, wrapping paper, and permanent marker.

2. Pack all items under all sinks and move away from the work area.

3. Move and relocate all refrigerators that have water service outside the work area. Replace when done.

4. Move the washer and dryer away from the work area. Replace when done.

5. Clear the area around the water heater.

6. Trim or remove all plants around the water service and hose bibbs.

7. Remove all items within 2 feet of all access panels.

8. A minimum of one-half of the garage floor space is required for the storage and security of tools, equipment, and materials.

9. 3′ wide clear, unobstructed path to all locations and 5’Lx5’D work space in front of all fixtures.

These are the most significant differences between copper, PEX and epoxy lining:

Days to complete (typical)

Copper: 2-3

EXP: 2-3

Epoxy: 2-3

Note: Pipe restoration only; wall repairs increase time

Warranty (materials/labor)

Copper: 50/50

EXP: 25/25

Epoxy: 10/10

Note: Materials are a direct manufacturer’s warranty.

Can I live in the house?¹

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy:?

Warranty (materials/labor)

Copper: 50/50

EXP: 25/25

Epoxy: 10/10

Note: Materials are a direct manufacturer’s warranty.

Are permits required?

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Fire Code Approved?

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Will the house run out of water?2

copper: yes

PEX: No

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: without water for 2-3 days

Will the house have water at night?

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – buckets are filled with water to flush toilets

Water company purification damage

Copper:?

PEX:?

Epoxy:?

Note: Possible with all; voids all warranties

Open drywall in washer box

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Open drywall in refrigerator water box

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Open drywall for bathtub valves

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Open drywall for shower valves.

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Remove tile for valve replacement

Copper:?

PEX:?

Epoxy:?

Note: Possible, depends on location

Replace all hose bibs

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace refrigerator box and valve

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – replaces valve with angled stop only

Change washing machine hoses

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with steel braided hoses

Replace the dryer vent

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with 1 Piece Aluminum Flexible Conduit

Replace dryer gas valve

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace the dryer vent

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with 1 Piece Aluminum Flexible Conduit

Replace Dryer Flex Gas Line

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace/treat all water lines³

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace all angle stops

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with chrome 1/4 turn ball valves

Replace all angle stop shields

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace fixture water supply hoses

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Replace with steel braided hoses

Replace shower valves

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy:?

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Replace bathtub valves (tub/shower)

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy:?

Note: Epoxy – if the appropriate adapter is not available, yes

Replace the flexible connections of the water heater

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace the ball valve of the water heater

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace pressure regulator

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Replace the water supply ball valve

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

hot water restrictions

copper: yes

PEX: No

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: water temperature. cannot exceed 145°F

Inspection of contractor’s schedules

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy: Customer responsible for programming

Contractor present for inspection⁴

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: Epoxy – customer must be present

Repair the wall after work*

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: More with copper and PEX

Painting required after work*

copper: yes

PEX: Yes

Epoxy: yes

Note: More with copper and PEX

* Usually requires another 2-4 days to complete.

1Epoxy: Considering the multitude of hoses running throughout the house and garage, equipment, and protective mats on the floor, living in the house during the epoxy restoration process would be a chore at best. big challenge. This is especially true for people with disabilities, movement or vision problems, young children, and four-legged pets.

2With the reinstallation of Cooper and PEX piping, typically only the day of the transition from the old system to the new system is the water turned off for the business day.

3Epoxy: Not all water pipes are treated. Piping that supplies water to body sprays from diverter valves in showers; bathtub deck hand showers and the like do not receive epoxy. Therefore, these can develop leaks.

4Epoxy: The customer is responsible for scheduling the inspection required by the Building Department and must be present for the inspection. This requires the client to physically remain at home until the inspector completes their work (usually 8:00 am to 4:00 pm). The customer is also responsible for answering all of the inspector’s questions about working with epoxy.

(For a side-by-side comparison chart of the above information, visit our website at https://www.dadsconstruction.com/articles/repipe-vs-epoxy.html)

Summary

At the end of the day, for the average home, it’s best to run a new PEX pipe. Because? Mainly because it is a new, almost continuous pipe system with fewer connections compared to the old one. alter an existing older system that normally contains weakened and damaged materials. When new PEX tubing replaces all valves and fittings, your entire water system is fresh and clean, free of lead, and free of mineral corrosion and contamination. PEX also appears to be more resistant to chemicals and fumes from water companies used during the water purification process.