Q: Thereβs a gas water heater inside my house, but it creates too much heat and I want to move the heater out of the house to the garage. But should I use PEX or copper lines for the job?
A:Β When itβs not a challenge to run copper lines, itβs best to use copper. But PEX is a good alternative. If you ask plumbers which type of piping they prefer, half of them will say copper and the other half will choose PEX. The letters P-E-X stand for crosslinked polyethylene. PEX is generally lower cost and requires fewer fittings than rigid pipes. It also does not require soldering so the risk of fire is eliminated. But PEX isnβt really a do-it-yourself product; special tools and training are needed before you can use it.
For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 25 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8-11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.
