PEX vs. Copper: What Should You Repipe With in BC?

Once you've decided to move forward with a Poly-B repipe, the next question is what to replace it with. The two main options for BC homes are PEX and copper. Both are reliable, code approved materials, but they differ in cost, installation, and long term performance. Here's how to think through the choice.

What Is PEX?

PEX (cross linked polyethylene) is a flexible plastic pipe that has become the most common choice for residential repipes in BC over the past two decades. It comes in red for hot water lines, blue for cold, and sometimes white or grey for general use.

PEX is flexible enough to snake through walls, floors, and tight spaces with fewer joints and fittings than rigid pipe. It's resistant to scale buildup and doesn't corrode.

What Is Copper?

Copper pipe has been used in residential plumbing for decades and remains a trusted, code approved option. It's a rigid metal pipe, typically joined with soldered fittings.

Copper has a long track record, handles high temperatures well, and holds up over many decades when installed correctly. It's also naturally resistant to bacterial growth.

Cost Comparison

Copper is generally more expensive than PEX, both in material cost and labour. Copper installation takes longer since it requires cutting, fitting, and soldering each joint, while PEX can be run in longer continuous lengths with fewer connections needed.

For a full home repipe, choosing PEX over copper typically results in a noticeably lower total cost. If you're budgeting for a repipe, this is often the deciding factor. Our post on how much a Poly-B repipe costs in BC covers the cost side in more detail.

Installation and Disruption

PEX is faster to install because of its flexibility and fewer required joints. It can often be run through existing wall cavities with less demolition than copper requires, which usually means fewer days of work and less drywall repair.

Copper installation takes longer due to the soldering process and the rigidity of the pipe, which sometimes requires more cutting into walls to route it properly. If minimizing disruption during your repipe matters to you, this is worth discussing with your plumber. We covered general repipe timelines in our post on how long a Poly-B repipe takes in a BC home.

Durability and Lifespan

Both materials have long service lives when installed correctly. Copper has a longer proven track record simply because it's been used for longer. PEX has been in widespread use for several decades now and has performed well over that time, though its very long term lifespan (50-plus years) has less real world history behind it compared to copper.

Copper can be vulnerable to corrosion in certain water conditions, particularly with highly acidic water. PEX doesn't corrode, but it can be more sensitive to prolonged UV exposure, so it's not typically used in exposed outdoor applications without additional protection.

Which Is Better for BC Homes Specifically?

For most BC homes undergoing a Poly-B repipe, PEX is the more common and often more practical choice. It's faster to install, generally more affordable, and well suited to the tight wall cavities and multi-level layouts common in Lower Mainland homes. It's also a strong fit for homes on well water, which is common in rural parts of Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, and Abbotsford, since it resists the mineral scale buildup that can affect other materials over time.

Copper remains a solid option, particularly for homeowners who want a material with the longest historical track record, or for specific portions of a plumbing system where copper is preferred, such as connections near a water heater or furnace.

Many BC plumbers now use a combination approach: PEX for the majority of the supply lines throughout the home, with copper used at specific fixture connections or mechanical areas where it offers an advantage.

Questions Worth Asking Your Plumber

Before deciding, it's worth asking your plumber a few direct questions. What material do they recommend for your specific home and why. Whether your home's water conditions (municipal supply or well water) affect the recommendation. What warranty is offered on the material and the installation. Whether a hybrid approach makes sense for your layout.

A licensed plumber familiar with BC homes should be able to walk you through the tradeoffs clearly and recommend what fits your home, budget, and priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PEX as durable as copper? PEX has performed well over its decades of use and is a code approved material throughout BC and Canada. Copper has a longer historical track record simply due to how long it's been in use. Both are considered durable, reliable choices when installed correctly.

Does PEX affect water taste or quality? No. PEX is approved for potable water use and doesn't affect water taste or safety when installed to code.

Can I mix PEX and copper in the same home? Yes. It's common for plumbers to use PEX for the bulk of a repipe and copper at specific points, such as near a water heater. Your plumber can advise on the best approach for your home.

Which material is better for a home on well water? PEX is often preferred for well water homes since it resists scale buildup from mineral heavy water better than copper over time.

Does insurance care which material I repipe with? Most BC insurers accept either PEX or copper as a resolution to a Poly-B concern, since the issue is specifically with Poly-B pipe. Confirm with your specific insurer, since requirements can vary.

Is one material better for resale value? Both PEX and copper are accepted, code compliant materials that resolve the Poly-B issue for buyers and lenders. I don't know of a meaningful resale value difference between the two specifically, since what matters most to buyers is that the Poly-B has been replaced.

Get a Recommendation for Your Home

The right material depends on your home's layout, your budget, and your priorities. Our team can walk you through the options and give you a clear recommendation as part of your repipe quote.

Ark Plumbing and Heating handles Poly-B repipes across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, including Langley, Surrey, Burnaby, Delta, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, and Mission.

Request a free quote or call 604-441-3411.