Whether it is a full home repipe or just replacing main sewer line in your home, it is important that the right material is chosen for the work. Proper pipes selection can either reduce the cost, keep repairs and maintenance to minimal levels and sometimes can add value to your house.
Copper pipes are tough and long-lasting in cold temperatures. Check for copper containing lead-solder joints.
Galvanized Steel
Pipes with different materials which transport water around your home’s washbasins, toilets etc can be made through various materials that have their own advantages and disadvantages that we need to recognize so we can make the choice based on the task because sometimes we want to save energy costs so the material that we use like plastic could have an advantage than using metal or the other way around based on its function.
Galvanised steel pipes are no longer common for residential applications (other types of pipe are now more economical, lightweight and flexible), but when cast iron pipes were fashionable, they were downright ubiquitous. Cast iron is still employed occasionally for distribution of natural gas or propane through a home system.
Copper pipes are a reliable preference, especially for hot and cold water lines in homes, though they are more expensive than their pex counter part and must still be soldered together professionally in order to work.
Copper
This metal is very durable. Copper has traditionally been a universal material for home plumbing. It is used everywhere, and can last as long as the home. This metal is recyclable, and considered a nice, industrial material. Because it is so strong, high water pressure is possible without introducing any harmful materials into drinking water systems. There is a rigid version of copper plumbing that can stand up to any amount of pressure, as well as a bendable form of the same material, making it useful for interior places like under kitchen counters where pipes need space.
While rigid copper piping is definitely the gold standard for plumbing, when you are in a tight space or have a problem fitting under a shelf or piece of furniture, then flexible copper can be a better choice. We find flexible copper easy to solder, it can be bent around corners or across gaps with ease.
For these goods, I see many qualities copper pipes bring to homes compared to PEX that can make them attractive: lighter, less expensive, durable, resistant to erosion and scale. Copper pipes are very resistant to corrosion and scale and prevent the injection of suspended solids into the water. However, for installation purposes you will need special tools when dealing with copper pipes compared to PEX which makes it a bit uneconomical. There is also a drawback when it comes to comparison of copper and pex pipes when subjected to cold crude weather. Copper pipes are about one fifth less resistant as PEX in frost and freezing temperatures. However, Copper, though relatively more costly than pex has an advantage over other types of pipes in the fact that its being recycled as 45% of United States copper usage come from recycled scrap. Over all, Copper generally has a positive impact on resale values of home.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC plastic is the most bought-most-sought-after material due to its rigidity and its ability to withstand high water pressure; its inner-lining is smooth, preventing sedmiment build-up on its pore, and it does not block the water flow – your main water supply line will look most suitable to consist of PVC!
Another option for piping in your home is rigid copper. It is never going to take a dent. Nor will it make you sick. Rigid copper tubing is used when there is no room or flexibility is needed, like on the curve of a corner or along your faucets supply line.
Rigid PEX plastic piping is increasingly used for plombage applications. The installation is simpler than one made of copper and offers similar life and most of its related advantages, with the added advantage of being nonfreeze-able, as is recommended for the outdoor lines of houses. The help of a licensed plumber will help to determine what type of material best suits the needs of each house.
Stainless Steel
Stainless was a pipe that saved money in the long term as it resisted corrosion; this pipe had the advantage of not losing its heat into the air as the water travelled the distance; thus, it saved the energy costs of keeping hot water in the home instead of losing it into the air outside. Stainless became the material of choice for sinks, faucets, and bathtubs because it had the longevity and toughness to withstand leaks without rusting. It also became the material of choice in machines in the cold heavy manufacturing of factories that combined heat and movement.
Copper pipes are the most durable plumbing option, but they might be required to add a joint by soldering and also are more costly then the other options. Copper is vulnerable to lime scale accumulation and also UV rays, so it is much more complicated to maintain it then the other options.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes have become a popular choice among residential homeowners as they are lightweight and cost-effective. They do not rust nor degrade overtime, they contain no lead content and their smooth inner surface, prevents sediment build-up. This eliminates the possibility of clogging or potentially hazardous contaminants.
How to Choose the Best Plumbing Material for Your Home
