There is nothing more stressful for a homeowner than the sound of dripping water behind a wall or the fear of a burst pipe during a freezing winter night. If you are renovating an older property or simply worried about the longevity of your current system, finding a reliable, durable, and cost-effective solution is paramount. In the recent renovation of the iconic Arlington House featured on This Old House, the team tackled these exact concerns by installing a new plumbing pipe used in This Old House Arlington House project, marking a significant shift from traditional materials to modern innovation.
What Type of Pipe Did This Old House Use in Arlington?
The million-dollar question on every DIY enthusiast’s and contractor’s mind is: what exactly did they install? In the Arlington House project, This Old House moved away from the decades-old standard of rigid copper piping. Instead, they utilized PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) tubing.
This was not a random choice. PEX has become the gold standard in residential plumbing across the United States over the last two decades. According to industry data, PEX usage in new residential construction has skyrocketed, surpassing copper in many regions due to its flexibility and resistance to scale and chlorine.
In the Arlington renovation, the crew specifically chose PEX-A (Engel method), which is known for having the highest degree of cross-linking. This makes it the most flexible type of PEX available, allowing it to expand significantly if water inside freezes, thereby reducing the likelihood of bursting—a critical feature for homes in Massachusetts where winter temperatures can plummet.
Why the Shift from Copper to PEX?
For nearly a century, copper was the undisputed king of plumbing. It is durable, resistant to corrosion, and has a long track record. However, the new plumbing pipe used in This Old House Arlington House represents a response to the specific limitations of copper in older homes:
- Installation Complexity: Copper requires soldering (sweating) joints with a torch, which poses a fire risk in occupied homes and requires high skill levels.
- Cost Volatility: The price of copper fluctuates wildly with the global market, often making projects budget-unpredictable.
- Heat Loss: Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, meaning hot water cools down faster as it travels through the pipes unless heavily insulated.
- Pinhole Leaks: In areas with acidic water, copper pipes can suffer from pinhole leaks over time, leading to hidden water damage.
PEX solves these issues by offering a flexible, cheaper, and faster-to-install alternative that maintains water temperature better due to its lower thermal conductivity.
How Does PEX Installation Differ from Traditional Methods?
One of the most compelling aspects of the Arlington project was the speed and cleanliness of the installation. If you are considering a replumb, understanding the process is vital. Unlike copper, which requires cutting, fitting, fluxing, and soldering every single joint, PEX allows for long continuous runs.
The Manifold System (Home-Run Method)
In the Arlington House, the plumbers likely utilized a “home-run” or manifold system. Here is how it works step-by-step:
- Central Hub Installation: A central manifold box is installed, usually near the main water entry point or in a utility closet. This box acts as the distribution center.
- Individual Lines: From this manifold, a separate line of PEX tubing runs directly to each fixture (sink, toilet, shower). There are no joints hidden inside the walls.
- Connection: The tubing is connected to the manifold and the fixture using simple push-fit fittings or crimp rings. No torches are needed inside the living spaces.
- Shut-off Control: Each line has its own shut-off valve at the manifold. If a sink needs repair, you turn off only that line, leaving the rest of the house with running water.
This method contrasts sharply with the traditional “tree” method used with copper, where one main line branches out, and a leak anywhere can require shutting off the entire house’s water supply.
Expert Insight: According to general engineering principles found in resources like Wikipedia’s entry on PEX, the cross-linking process creates bonds between polymer chains, enhancing the material’s ability to withstand high temperatures and pressures without deforming.
PEX vs. Copper: A Detailed Comparison
To help you decide if the solution used in Arlington is right for your home, here is a direct comparison of the two materials.
| Feature | Copper Pipes | PEX Pipes (Used in Arlington) |
|---|---|---|
| Material Cost | High (subject to market fluctuations) | Low (stable pricing) |
| Labor Time | Slow (requires soldering every joint) | Fast (flexible, fewer fittings) |
| Freeze Resistance | Low (likely to burst if frozen) | High (can expand and contract) |
| Water Flow Noise | Can be noisy (water hammer) | Quiet (absorbs vibration) |
| Joint Safety | Fire risk during installation | No fire risk (cold connection) |
| Lifespan | 50+ years | Estimated 40–50+ years (still being tested) |
| UV Sensitivity | Resistant | Cannot be exposed to sunlight |
The Economic Impact
The labor savings alone are substantial. A professional plumber can install PEX roughly 30% to 40% faster than copper. For a whole-house repipe like the one in the Arlington House, this translates to days saved on the project timeline, reducing labor costs significantly for the homeowner. When combined with the lower material cost, the total project expense can be reduced by up to 25% compared to a full copper replacement.
Step-by-Step: How to Identify PEX in Your Home
If you are unsure what kind of plumbing you currently have, or if you want to verify the work done in a renovation, follow these concrete steps to identify the pipe type:
- Visual Inspection: Look at the exposed pipes under your sinks or in your basement.
- Copper: Looks like shiny penny-colored metal (new) or greenish-brown (old). It is rigid and straight.
- PEX: Looks like plastic tubing. It comes in red (hot water), blue (cold water), or white/gray. It is flexible and often curves gently rather than having sharp 90-degree elbow joints.
- Check the Markings: Run your fingers along the pipe. PEX tubing will have printed text every few feet indicating the manufacturer, size (e.g., 1/2 inch), and standard ratings (e.g., “PEX-A” or “ASTM F876”).
- Flex Test: Gently try to move the pipe. Copper will not budge without bending permanently. PEX will flex easily and return to its shape.
- Sound Test: Turn on the water fully. Copper often transmits a “clanging” sound when water flow stops abruptly. PEX tends to dampen this sound, resulting in a quieter operation.
Common Concerns About PEX Plumbing
Despite its popularity, some homeowners remain skeptical. Let’s address the most frequent questions regarding safety and durability.
Is PEX Safe for Drinking Water?
Yes. Modern PEX tubing meets strict NSF/ANSI standards for potable water. Early concerns about chemical leaching have been largely resolved through improved manufacturing processes. The new plumbing pipe used in This Old House Arlington House adheres to all Massachusetts state codes, which are among the strictest in the nation regarding water safety.
Can PEX Handle Hot Water?
Absolutely. PEX is rated for temperatures up to 200°F (93°C), which is well above the standard setting for residential water heaters (usually set between 120°F and 140°F).
What About Rodents?
There have been isolated reports of rodents chewing through PEX. However, this is rare and usually occurs in unfinished basements or crawl spaces where pests already exist. Proper sealing of entry points and using protective sleeves in vulnerable areas mitigates this risk effectively.
FAQ Section
1. How long does PEX plumbing last?
While PEX hasn’t been in use as long as copper (which has a 50+ year history), current estimates and accelerated aging tests suggest a lifespan of 40 to 50 years. Many manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 25 to lifetime coverage, reflecting confidence in the material’s durability.
2. Can I connect PEX to my existing copper pipes?
Yes, you can. Transition fittings are readily available that allow you to connect PEX tubing directly to copper pipes. This makes PEX an excellent choice for partial renovations or repairs without needing to replumb the entire house immediately.
3. Does PEX affect the taste of the water?
Some users report a slight plastic taste when the system is first installed. This is temporary and usually dissipates after flushing the system for a few days. Using high-quality PEX-A, as seen in the Arlington project, minimizes this issue compared to lower-grade variants.
4. Is PEX allowed in all US states?
Previously, some local building codes restricted PEX usage. However, as of today, PEX is approved for use in all 50 states. It is included in all major model plumbing codes, including the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC).
5. Why did This Old House choose PEX for a historic home?
Historic homes like the Arlington House often have tight wall cavities and complex framing. Because PEX is flexible, it can be snaked through existing walls with minimal demolition. This preserves the historic integrity of the structure while updating the infrastructure, a core philosophy of the show.
6. What tools do I need to install PEX?
You do not need expensive torches or solder. The essential tools include a PEX cutter (for clean cuts), a crimping tool or expansion tool (depending on the fitting type), and go/no-go gauges to ensure connections are secure. These tools are affordable and widely available at local hardware stores.
Conclusion
The decision to use the new plumbing pipe used in This Old House Arlington House was not just a trend; it was a strategic move based on performance, cost-efficiency, and the specific needs of renovating an older structure. By switching to PEX, homeowners gain a system that is resistant to freezing, quieter in operation, and significantly easier to maintain thanks to the manifold shut-off system.
Whether you are planning a full-scale renovation or a simple repair, understanding the benefits of PEX can save you thousands of dollars and countless headaches in the future. The era of rigid, soldered copper is giving way to flexible, resilient solutions that keep our homes safe and dry.
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