Modernizing Your Plumbing: The Advantages of PEX Piping Over Traditional Materials

Upgrade Your Home’s Plumbing with Modern PEX Piping

Heritage Home Service proudly serves homeowners throughout New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts with trusted plumbing solutions — including professional PEX piping installation and upgrades. If your home still relies on aging copper or galvanized steel pipes, switching to PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) can dramatically improve your plumbing system’s reliability, efficiency, and resistance to New England’s harsh winters.

What Is PEX Piping?

PEX is a flexible, durable type of plastic tubing that has become the modern standard for residential plumbing. Unlike rigid metal pipes, PEX can bend around corners, expand slightly in freezing conditions, and resist corrosion over time. It’s been widely used in Europe for decades and is now trusted across the U.S. for everything from new construction to whole-home repiping.

PEX piping comes in three main types — PEX-A, PEX-B, and PEX-C — each with unique manufacturing methods but similar advantages. All are approved for potable water use and meet plumbing codes across New England.

The Limitations of Older Plumbing Materials

Many homes in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts were built with copper or galvanized steel plumbing. While these materials were once the best available, they come with drawbacks that become more pronounced as systems age:

• Galvanized steel pipes can corrode internally, leading to restricted water flow, rusty water, and leaks.
  
• Copper pipes, though durable, are expensive, rigid, and prone to pinhole leaks in areas with aggressive water chemistry.
  
• Both materials are vulnerable to freezing, which can cause pipes to burst during New England’s bitter winters.
  
• Repairs and retrofits are often labor-intensive, especially in older homes with tight spaces.
  

Upgrading to PEX eliminates many of these issues, making it a smart long-term investment.

Key Advantages of PEX Piping

1. Freeze Resistance

PEX can expand slightly when water freezes, making it far less likely to burst than copper or steel pipes. This is a major advantage in New England, where subzero temperatures can last for days or weeks.

2. Corrosion and Scale Resistance

PEX does not corrode or develop internal scale buildup, which means consistent water pressure and clean water over time — even in areas with hard or mineral-heavy water.

3. Flexible Installation

Because PEX is bendable, it can be snaked through walls, around obstacles, and into tight spaces without the need for multiple fittings. This makes installation faster, less invasive, and often more affordable.

4. Energy Efficiency

PEX retains heat better than metal pipes, helping hot water reach fixtures more efficiently. This can reduce energy waste in water heating systems.

5. Quiet Operation

PEX piping is less likely to “bang” or make noise when water is turned on or off, reducing common plumbing sounds like water hammer.

6. Cost-Effective

Material and labor costs for PEX installation are typically lower than for copper, making it a cost-effective choice for both new builds and retrofits.

Ideal Situations for PEX Upgrades

PEX is a great fit for many types of homes and projects across Northern New England, including:

• Whole-home repiping for older properties with aging plumbing
  
• Winterization upgrades in homes vulnerable to freezing
  
• Additions and remodels, where flexible piping simplifies installation
  
• Basement finishing projects where pipes need to be rerouted
  
• Replacing corroded galvanized steel lines
  

Whether you live in a historic home in Portsmouth or a newer build outside Portland, PEX can bring modern performance to your plumbing system.

Professional Installation Matters

While PEX is flexible and efficient, installation should always be handled by licensed professionals. Heritage’s experienced plumbers:

• Assess your current plumbing system to determine the best retrofit strategy
  
• Select the right PEX type and fittings for your water chemistry and home layout
  
• Use professional-grade crimping and expansion tools for secure, long-lasting connections
  
• Ensure compliance with local plumbing codes in NH, ME, and MA
  
• Test and flush the system to guarantee proper flow and water quality
  

Professional installation ensures your PEX system performs reliably for decades.

Real-World Example: A Repiping Upgrade in North Hampton, NH

Earlier this year, a homeowner in North Hampton called Heritage to address recurring leaks in their 50-year-old galvanized plumbing. Our team performed a full PEX repipe, replacing aging lines with modern, insulated piping.

The result? Improved water pressure, quieter operation, and peace of mind heading into winter. The project was completed in just a few days — with minimal disruption to the home.

How PEX Compares to Other Materials

Why Homeowners Across New England Choose Heritage

For generations, families across New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts have trusted Heritage Home Service for plumbing, HVAC, and electrical expertise. When it comes to PEX piping, homeowners rely on us for:

• Professional whole-home repiping and upgrades
  
• Same-day service for urgent repairs and leaks
  
• Licensed technicians who understand local plumbing codes
  
• Upfront pricing and honest recommendations
  
• Deep experience working in older New England homes
  

Whether you need a targeted upgrade or a complete plumbing system overhaul, Heritage has the experience to do it right.

Call Heritage Home Service to Modernize Your Plumbing

Upgrading to PEX piping is one of the smartest ways to protect your home, boost efficiency, and prepare your plumbing for harsh New England winters.Call Heritage Home Service today to schedule your PEX piping consultation and upgrade service.
Or, contact us online to request a plumbing evaluation in New Hampshire, Maine, or Massachusetts.