Talking to a plumber at Rona changed how I look at PEX fittings

I was grabbing some copper fittings last Saturday when this older plumber told me he's seen PEX fittings fail after 8 years in Edmonton basements because of the chlorine in our water. He showed me a cracked fitting from a job he did in 2016 and said most people don't realize the cheap ones can get brittle over time. Has anyone here compared brass vs plastic PEX fittings long term?

2 comments

2 Comments

drewsullivan3d ago

2016 fitting already cracked? That's only nine years old.

the_tessa3d ago

You know, that part about "the cheap ones can get brittle over time" really sticks with me. I used to just grab whatever PEX fitting was on sale, thinking plastic was all the same honestly. But hearing that from a guy who's actually seen them crack after a few years in Edmonton of all places makes me think twice. I've already started looking at brass fittings for the stuff behind my walls now, even if they cost a bit more upfront. Better to spend a little extra now than deal with a hidden leak later, right?