For whole-house repiping, the choice usually comes down to copper or PEX (cross-linked polyethylene). This plastic piping is durable and less expensive than copper. PEX is easy to install, which means the cost of installation may be low as well.
Copper is the standard and the most prevalent piping material for home plumbing applications. Its strength, durability, flexibility, resistance to corrosion, and ability to tolerate heat makes it a perfect choice to replace iron and steel pipes.
Pex pipe is made of a flexible material. They are easy to bend and install in tricky areas, like crawlspaces and corners. Most plumbers prefer to work with pex pipes for this reason.
Copper pipes remain popular among plumbers and homeowners alike because they are corrosion-resistant and best suited to protect the quality of the water. Copper pipes are able to handle high water pressure and are tolerant of both hot and cold water temperatures.
CPVC (chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) is a strong and rigid thermoplastic material that is used for hot and cold potable water applications in residential construction. Because of its makeup, CPVC is immune to damage from highly chlorinated domestic water and has a higher temperature tolerance than PVC.
Disadvantages of PVC conduit include its physical weakness compared to metal. PVC can break and splinter when exposed to physical stress. It also needs to be supported when installed in longer runs due to sagging. You can bend PVC conduit cold (ambient temperature of 15.5 C) up to about 25mm.
When a connection to copper or other metal pipes is required, PEX works better than PVC because crosslinked polyethylene won't corrode. - Price. When you compare the material costs of PEX vs PVC, PEX comes out more expensive. (However, balance this factor against the lower labor cost to install PEX.)
Whereas plumbing issues are the main concern with polybutylene and galvanized steel pipes, lead pipes pose a different and much more serious threat. Lead is a toxic material to ingest. If your home is equipped with piping or plumbing fixtures that contain lead, this poison can end up in your drinking water.
The alternative to copper (and PVC) is PEX pipe – a flexible, extruded piping material made from cross-linked polyethylene. Both copper and PEX have their advantages, considerations, and caveats – outside of cost alone.
PEX: Due to its flexibility and durability, PEX piping should last at least 50 years. PVC / CPVC: Under typical conditions, these pipes should last up to 100 years. Keep in mind that PVC pipes are often used for drainage because extreme heat can damage them.
Rodent Risk Factors
While pest experts don't know whether rodents chew through PEX to get to the water inside or simply because it's there, PEX and rodents can be a dangerous combination. Local building codes in some communities may not permit the installation of PEX if rodent infestations are common.
PEX cannot be taken anywhere outside the house where it is directly exposed to UV for a long period. The synthetic material of the pipes can slowly disintegrate due to the light of the sun. Even light bulbs have been known to affect the lifespan of PEX water lines.
There are no health risks associated with drinking water from PEX pipes. A few types of PEX-pipe may cause prolonged undesirable taste and odour if the water remains in pipes over time.
PEX pipe is not only cheaper than copper but more durable too. PEX is immune to corrosion and mineral build-up, and it's not affected by electrolysis, which can cause small pinhole leaks in copper piping.
Copper is cleaner as it is simply metal and contains no chemicals compared to PVC pipes. Lower health risk. High resistance to chlorine in normal municipal water conditions.
Disadvantages of Copper Pipes
It can cost 10 to 15 times more when compared to other types of pipes. Copper may also freeze easily. If your home runs on well water, copper pipes could have problems if the water is acidic.
Copper Pipes and Corrosion
er eats away at the walls of the pipe, causing pinhole leaks and leaks at seams and joints.
Coupled with low production and shipping costs, the savings resulting from installing PEX instead of copper pipes can be significant. Better Energy Efficiency – PEX has a lower thermal conductivity rate than copper. As a result, PEX pipes can help keep hot water hotter for longer periods of time.
In 1980, cast iron pipes were no longer the pipe of choice. Builders and plumbers replaced cast iron with rigid PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride plastic), which is easier to make, can be made quickly, is harder than other options, and has greater tensile strength. It is essentially a cheaper, faster alternative to cast iron.
Heim reported that polymer-based pipe material played an important role in the occurrence of odor and TOC levels in water. PEX pipe showed a higher growth of coliform bacteria than copper pipe [42].
Copper pipes with lead-free joint materials are the best choice for water pipes. They are long-lasting and won't leach chemicals into your drinking water.