I need new plumbing, i keep getting different suggestions on what to use, copper & pvc for a ranch style house, What do you think??
PVC pluming is not the way to go. If it freezes it splits along its whole length and you have to replace all your pipes. If copper freezes you can repair it much easier. Most new homes I work in have a different plastic pipe. Its flexible and can withstand freezing. Because it is flexible it saves a lot of labor. They still use PVC for the drain pipes.
anything but pvc. I don't know where some of you are from but it is the worst product on the market for water distribution.Houses cost so much today that the majority of Realtors don't want to see any kind of plastic in the distribution system.Many pex and pex-like products are available and are acceptable alternatives to copper,but not pvc. it is brittle and gets worse with age and temperature differences.also glue and primer are not mechanical joints they are chemical joints.Pvc is fie for drainage, because there is never pressure in the system.How would you like to come home after a glue joint fails (tomorrow or 15 years from now)and see water running out of the cellar windows?I guess it is OK for a trailer park as it would do little harm.But copper is best,unless cost prohibitive.
I think I would rater eat copper than PVC. Most new homes have PVC pipes because of the cost of copper has gone up. I bet that copper would win for having less pipe damage with frozen pipes.
PVC.. by far! First.. let's talk expense. With copper prices today you will be spending HUNDREDS of dollars on pipe compared to less than $75 on PVC. Now, let's talk build out. With copper you will be having soilder and create flare fittings and pressure fittings, etc. All of which require some level of skill Soilder being the most difficult and pressure fittings the easiest. With PVC you will be making each connection the same, a little primer smeared on followed by some glue and then jammed together. PVC is MUCH easier work with. Now, let's talk repairs. Again with copper you will need the appropriate skill level and repairing a small hole becomes a major ordeal. With PVC, you cut out the section with the hole in it, purchase two collars (15 cents or less) and a short section of hose (which you'll probably have left over) and your done in 20 minutes. Now, let's talk durability. Some will argue that copper is more durable but I have serious doubts about that. Some will even suggest steel piping. I would think that the steel would handle extreme temperature swings better.. but unless your in some crazy climate are... this really isn't a factor. So.. there's my two cents worth! Good luck!
Being a plumber for 20 years I prefer copper to pvc a much neater and proffessional job but more expensive You also have to consider pex plastic water pipe it comes in 100 foot coils and it goes together without glue ,it uses brass fittings that are attached with compression rings and it can be installed pretty much by anyone that can read and follow directions but it looks terrible .its winds around the the framing like a snake ,it does not stay straight and plumb like copper does but it will probably outlast copper in the longrun and you and me,It just looks like a home cheapo job,And then you have pvc water piping ,but that has to be glued joint by joint and you can get it to stay straight and plumb better than the pex.More and more newer homes are using the pex water piping today probably for the cost Im sure and thier selling it at home cheapo centers for the do it yourselfers .So now instead of taking years to learn the plumbing trade evry tom dick and harry the handyman is a plumber now in 1 hour .But thats my opinion I guess I like doing it the old fashion way in copper its nicer looking and it s neat if you know how to solder .So good luck with your new house Joe the plumber
