I have some decent ideas as to why, I’m asking mainly as a hopefully fun contribution here, and to maybe learn some interesting plumbing info!
I have some decent ideas as to why, I’m asking mainly as a hopefully fun contribution here, and to maybe learn some interesting plumbing info!
Thanks for the detailed reply! My suspicions were that it may have been related to the complexity of manufacturing (including the materials development that’s enabled it within the past several decades), but the costs alongside that had slipped my mind given the scientific reasons that would have been more of a hard block in the past.
Also across the various replies here, TIL a bunch more about what’s up with PEX, which I’d not gotten around to researching. Sounds like some wicked stuff all things considering!
@ALostInquirer Yes, Pex is pretty good for a lot of things, though it does have it’s weaknesses. For instance it is UV sensative and will break down and crack of left in the sun. Also, the fact that it is often joined with compression fittings like the proprietary Sharkbite connectors does make assembly faster, but the failure rate of those components is higher than an adhesive bonded sleeve fitment. Being flexible also has its downside, for while it is nice to be able to bend the pipe to conform to angles, you do have to bend it to each and every stud penetration individually rather than being able to thread a hard pipe through all in one motion.