Many foreclosed properties here in San Diego have not only been stripped of their appliances, and sometimes the sinks, toilets, and countertops, but also the copper water plumbing.

Now I've actually been thinking of stripping my own home of its copper plumbing, but not to sell it as scrap for a few dollars that might buy me some food for the day.

Rather, I've been wanting to replace my copper water pipes -- ca. 1971 -- with cross-linked polyethylene, also known as PEX.

The two systems shown above are Wirsbo AquaPex. I love this stuff, but Joe the Plumber seems to despise it. It's so good that plumbers sit around their offices like that old Maytag repairman with no repairs to do.

PEX was invented sometime around 1960 and has been in use in Europe since 1970. In fact, I believe it is the University of Cambridge in London that has had some PEX under constant pressure -- I think it's 180 pounds per square inch -- since 1970 with no problems whatsoever. And that was the first generation, which did have some problems with connection crimp rings. I believe those problems were related more to an unfamiliarity with the product and how to install it properly rather than an actual problem with the product itself.

Here are just some of the advantages of PEX piping over copper:

1. Lower shipping and handling costs because of its lower weight.
2. Require fewer fittings. PEX is flexible, so it can turn 90 degree corners without elbow fittings, and since it is shipped on large spools, it can be installed in long runs without coupling fittings. Just cut it to fit.
3. No health hazards or fire hazards since lead-based solder, acid fluxes, and soldering torches are not needed.
4. Resists the scale build-up common with copper pipe.
5. Does not pit or corrode when exposed to acidic water.
6. Much more resistant to freeze-breakage.
7. Conserves energy since it does not transfer heat as readily as copper.
8. Water flows more quietly through PEX tube, and "water hammer" -- a noise common with copper pipe systems -- is virtually eliminated.
9. Comes in different colors for color-coding hot and cold water supply lines.