If you're repiping, the biggest decision is the material. For most South Florida homes, the choice comes down to PEX or copper. Both are reliable when installed correctly.
PEX (cross-linked polyethylene)
- Cost: Usually less expensive in material and labor.
- Installation: Flexible, so it snakes through walls and attic with fewer fittings and smaller openings.
- Hard water: Resists scale buildup and doesn't corrode.
- Freeze resistance: Rarely an issue here, but PEX tolerates expansion better than rigid pipe.
- Considerations: Must be protected from UV light and kept away from direct heat sources. Quality fittings and proper crimping or expansion are critical.
Copper
- Cost: Higher material and labor cost.
- Durability: A long track record, rigid and heat-tolerant.
- Considerations: Can develop pinhole leaks in some water conditions over time, and more fittings mean more soldered joints.
Which is right for you?
For most whole-home repipes in slab homes, PEX offers the best balance of cost, speed and durability. Copper remains a good choice when a homeowner prefers it or in exposed locations where rigid pipe makes sense. Many repipes combine both: PEX in walls and attic, copper stubs at fixtures.
Ask your plumber about the brand of pipe and fittings, the warranty, and whether the route avoids the slab. Those details matter more than the material alone.
Need help?
Our pipe repair & repiping team serves Davie and all of Broward County. Call (954) 870-5492.