Copper Isn’t the Best Plumbing Material

Copper water pipes are getting more popular for water supply lines because of the durability, inability to grow bacteria and their temperature stability.

Galvanized steel pipes are another choice that is durable with anticorrosion zinc coating for corrosion resistance. Unfortunately, though, these are more expensive.

Copper
Copper is the original plumbing material. It won’t splinter under stress, is resistant to germs, and doesn’t suffer from damage from heat – though some homeowners will grumble about the cost and environmental impact.

Copper pipes come in various thicknesses. The thinnest pipe you can get, Type M, is best for drain, waste and vent (DWV) lines in residential homes, and thicker Type K lines are probably better for underground service lines.

Other popular pipes for plumbing are PVC, CPVC and PEX; all of which come with their own benefits and drawbacks and you have to weigh them carefully before choosing one. Which will depend on your budget and the use for which you will be installing it in – if you are living in a climate where acidic water can occur, for instance, PEX pipes might be an ideal choice as they are designed to resist acidity and corrosion; cast iron and galvanised steel are common choices that may eventually rust.

Polyvinyl chloride
Copper pipes last longer and don’t rust, but they can be more expensive. Therefore, most consumers opt for plastic versions such as PVC or PEX that are tough enough to withstand temperature and pressure without easily corroding; piping is easily identifiable with the help of hot and cold water pipes that are color coded; pipes are bendable which means they can curve around corners without fittings or plugs.

CPVC is a low cost, easy to use alternative to copper. It is good against acidic water and won’t rust, though it won’t be as durable as copper at low temperatures; it’s BPA-free and less subject to local building codes than copper would be. Sadly it can also get exposed to UV rays and leak chemicals into your water; a qualified plumber can guide you through the best pipe material for your home.

PEX
PEX plumbing systems have quickly become the go-to for most residential plumbing because of all the benefits it offers. Moreover, these pipes are not easily corroded and rusted as metal pipes often become and destroys expensively therefore, they also save a lot in repair and replacement of pipes.

PEX tube is particularly strong at low temperatures and it will stretch as water freezes and flex instead of breaking like other materials might. That makes PEX a great option for locations that get hard winters because it won’t freeze and harden and break pipes won’t send homeowners scrambling to repair broken pipes.

PEX tubing is also flexible than metal pipes in that it can be bent and curved without cutting and fitting. This elasticity also increases pressure inside pipes to stop drop in water supply due to turbulent flows; and is quieter than metal plumbing – ideal for multi-story buildings or homes where PEX lines cross bedrooms or rooms.

Galvanized steel
The galvanized steel pipes might be sturdy and resistant but will corrode with hard water and get minerals in the pipe that shrink the diameter and eventually clog it. Galvanized pipes are also a bit heavy to work with when you’re working on flexible projects.

Besides ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PEX and HDPE plumbing pipes, ABS is now widely used due to its anti-chlorine corrosion and anti-scale build-up properties, and also because it is energy-efficient and can be used for repiping houses.

Stainless steel pipes are strong and last for a long time, but they might be expensive and you will need to know how to deal with them. And if you get too much sun, they can warp and deteriorate over time – you need to talk to a plumber when it comes to knowing what type of plumbing material will work best for your house – they can install, replace, or repair them so you have a healthy living space.