PEX Protection Ideas - Rodents in crawlspace with galvanized pipe

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PEX Protection Ideas - Rodents in crawlspace with galvanized pipe

Pierre E.Pro Member
Washington, DC · Member since 2016 · 123 posts · 42 votes

Hey BP Fam!  I need to replace galvanized pipe (within house, in crawlspace, and to the street).   Single story 2 bath house with crawlspace kitchen and laundry room all on one side of the house

1) - Need to decide between what material is best Copper, CPVC, PEX. (Prefer copper, concerned about evidence of rodents in crawlspace and potential for chewing hole causing leak for PEX, but PEX might even be main/only option based on what available plumbers will do, copper might be too difficult/dangerous under crawlspace? and cost? and CPVC might not be allowed in some places I heard?)  Thoughts on type for repiping?


2) If PEX, thoughts on protecting it from rodent damage?  Is it possible/allowable/cost effective to maybe have a "crawlspace bulkhead" to run them through or any other ideas or option some sort of tubing or conduit? Maybe the metal ducts stuff (the solid straight kind used for dryers with some flexible stuff for bends)? (totally unsure of cost)

3) Also if PEX, would that be appropriate to tie to street? Would that need to be copper to the main, or to the PEX Manifold and then start the runs of pex in the house?

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Lisa Wright
Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2022 · 66 posts · 28 votes
3y

I didn't even consider that rodents might chew it.    A quick google says that it can get chewed through.  I wonder about doing copper under the home and pex inside the walls.  Or doing regular treatments down there with ammonia or moth balls so no one sets up house if there is an issue in the area.  
If there is no issue I'd make sure it's secure and watch for activity.  

hmmm.  I can't wait to see what the pros say. 

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  • Lisa Wright
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2022 · 66 posts · 28 votes
    3y

    I didn't even consider that rodents might chew it.    A quick google says that it can get chewed through.  I wonder about doing copper under the home and pex inside the walls.  Or doing regular treatments down there with ammonia or moth balls so no one sets up house if there is an issue in the area.  
    If there is no issue I'd make sure it's secure and watch for activity.  

    hmmm.  I can't wait to see what the pros say. 

    1Reply
  • Pierre E.Pro Member
    OP
    Washington, DC · Member since 2016 · 123 posts · 42 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Lisa Wright:

    I didn't even consider that rodents might chew it.    A quick google says that it can get chewed through.  I wonder about doing copper under the home and pex inside the walls.  Or doing regular treatments down there with ammonia or moth balls so no one sets up house if there is an issue in the area.  
    If there is no issue I'd make sure it's secure and watch for activity.  

    hmmm.  I can't wait to see what the pros say. 

    ==========================


    Yea interesting. I am also getting a couple plumbers to give quotes, well see what the price difference is. Every plumber I have asked about replacing pipe seems to hate the idea of putting in copper. Last time I had to beg, and another time a guy automatically used CPVC without asking. 

    (I am also curious but probably not all that important...... if anyone has any thoughts on type of PEX PEX-A - "Uponor" - more flexible more expensive, not a strong against high pressure; PEX-B "Viega", more rigid but harder to bend or curve, has higher pressure, oxidation, chlorination tolerance; PEX-C... ? dunno much about this one)





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  • Sri Gunk
    Member since 2022 · 7 posts · 2 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Pierre E.:

    Hey BP Fam!  I need to replace galvanized pipe (within house, in crawlspace, and to the street).   Single story 2 bath house with crawlspace kitchen and laundry room all on one side of the house

    1) - Need to decide between what material is best Copper, CPVC, PEX. (Prefer copper, concerned about evidence of rodents in crawlspace and potential for chewing hole causing leak for PEX, but PEX might even be main/only option based on what available plumbers will do, copper might be too difficult/dangerous under crawlspace? and cost? and CPVC might not be allowed in some places I heard?)  Thoughts on type for repiping?


    2) If PEX, thoughts on protecting it from rodent damage?  Is it possible/allowable/cost effective to maybe have a "crawlspace bulkhead" to run them through or any other ideas or option some sort of tubing or conduit? Maybe the metal ducts stuff (the solid straight kind used for dryers with some flexible stuff for bends)? (totally unsure of cost)

    3) Also if PEX, would that be appropriate to tie to street? Would that need to be copper to the main, or to the PEX Manifold and then start the runs of pex in the house?

    First..  verify the use of IRC and UMC codes and local adenda to those codes.

    What does the Water supplier require to attach to their system.

    If water or soil ph does not affect copper it is the best and obviously most tested for durability and longevity in the interior or exterior.   PVC is Good for outside underground if allowed by water supplier.

    Oh... Some plumbers a becoming a bit lazy these days...  and PEX is not foolproof.

    1Reply
  • Danny Polanski
    Chicago, IL · Member since 2020 · 184 posts · 182 votes
    3y

    I have pex (at our trailer in s/w michigan with lots of rodents, primarily mice tho) copper, and galvanized at different properties. 

    My favorite, if potentially exposed to the elements like in a crawl space is pex since it can freeze and not break.  the rodents have never chewed it and it is not protected. Then cooper. Galvanized is garbage.  

    Copper or pvc is #1 if no freezing is possible, in my opinion.

    1Reply
  • Drew SygitBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Royal Oak, MI · Member since 2012 · 12k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    3y

    Have never experienced rodents chewing through PEX.

    Plumbers don't want to do copper because it is more labor intensive.

    [email protected]248-209-6824
    Logical Property Management4.9451 Reviews
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  • Lisa Wright
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2022 · 66 posts · 28 votes
    3y

    I ran a google and it said there is one type to use to deter rodents but that it has not been very studied.

    Viega Fostapex.

    I'm going to need to talk to a few plumbers to see what the best option is.  



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  • Tom Fidrych
    Member since 2020 · 241 posts · 179 votes
    3y

    I typically stub copper through the floor to the faucets. Then spray foam insulation in holes to prevent rodent entry into the wall. The main runs are PEX with insulation sleeves. Since the PEX is attached to the bottom of the joists, it seems unlikely that rodent would chew it and it hasn't been an issue yet. 

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