When it’s time to repipe a Riverside County home, one of the first decisions is which material to use: traditional copper or modern PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). Both are excellent choices, but each has distinct advantages that make it better suited for specific situations. Davis Plumbing and Heating Inc. installs both and will give you an honest recommendation based on your home and circumstances.

Copper Plumbing: The Gold Standard

Copper has been used in residential plumbing since the mid-20th century and remains an excellent choice for Riverside County homes:

  • Longevity — Quality copper pipe in normal conditions lasts 50+ years
  • Heat resistance — Handles high-temperature water with no degradation
  • Rigidity — Maintains its shape and doesn’t require as many support hangers
  • Resistance to UV — Can be used in exposed locations (attics, garages) without special protection
  • Adds home value — Copper is still viewed as premium by homebuyers and inspectors

Copper’s Weakness in Riverside County: Corrosive hard water. As described throughout our blog, Riverside County’s high-mineral water attacks copper from the inside, creating pitting corrosion that leads to pinhole leaks over 20-30 years. This is copper’s Achilles’ heel in our region specifically.

PEX Plumbing: The Modern Choice

PEX tubing has become the dominant material in new construction throughout California over the past two decades, and for good reason:

  • Corrosion resistance — PEX is immune to the mineral-based corrosion that plagues copper in hard water areas. For Riverside County homes, this is a significant advantage.
  • Flexibility — PEX bends around obstacles without requiring fittings, reducing the number of joint connections (which are where leaks develop)
  • Freeze resistance — PEX expands when frozen and returns to its original shape when thawed, dramatically reducing burst risk
  • Cost — PEX materials cost 60-70% less than copper. This reduces total project cost significantly
  • Faster installation — Fewer fittings and easier routing means less labor time

PEX’s Considerations: Cannot be used in outdoor/exposed UV locations without conduit protection. Some high-end homebuyers and inspectors still prefer copper. Not suitable for fire sprinkler applications.

Davis Plumbing’s Recommendation for Riverside County

Given Riverside County’s water chemistry challenges, we generally recommend PEX-A (Uponor/Wirsbo brand) or PEX-B for whole-home repiping projects. The corrosion immunity alone makes it the smarter long-term choice in our region. However, if a homeowner strongly prefers copper — particularly for a higher-end property — we’re equally experienced with copper installation and can discuss the tradeoffs honestly.

Get a Free Repiping Consultation

Call Davis Plumbing and Heating at (951) 657-0393 for a free whole-home repiping consultation. We’ll assess your existing plumbing, discuss your options, and provide pricing for both copper and PEX. Or contact us online.