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Gold/Mining/Energy : Copper - analysis -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Stephen O who wrote (346)	9/7/2001 12:14:26 PM
From: Robert Douglas	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2131

I assume PEX is some kind of plastic. There was plastic used a few years ago that has caused all kinds of problems with leaks at the joints. In fact I heard at one time that your house insurance for flooding was a lot higher if you had plastic and not copper. Me I'm old fashioned, I'll always use copper. Stephen, I would have said the same thing 3 years ago. Then I started seeing these million dollar homes with PEX piping in them. Generally, these had a straight run to each faucet or shower in the house originating at a central manifold. I was intrigued and looked into it. PEX is short for cross-linked polyethylene and is NOT polybutlylene like the pipes the Washington Post article is talking about. PEX has been in Europe since 1971 and is actually better than copper tubing because you don't get reduced flow from the copper joints (each elbow has resistance equal to 10 ft. of tubing). Also you don't get the mineral buildup if you have "aggressive" water. There are fewer leaks because the only joints are at the manifold or the destination, not behind a wall like you get with copper. So, better flow, more reliable, longer lasting and easier to install make for a powerful combination. I've looked into it a lot and am sold. Installers are being converted too and you will see this spreading.