The type of piping material you use in your home’s plumbing will have far-reaching consequences on the efficiency of your plumbing, your water quality, and your home’s plumbing maintenance costs. Pipe quality also affects the longevity of your plumbing system, says TXC Management team.
Of the available piping materials in the market, the most widely used ones are copper and PVC. These two materials can be used pretty much anywhere in a home’s freshwater line, but which one is the better option for your home’s plumbing?
This post will compare the pros and cons of copper and PVC pipes. The information you find here will help you make an informed decision on whether to use copper pipes in your home, PVC pipes, or a combination of the two piping materials.
Copper pipes
Copper used to be the piping material used in homes. The material is long-lasting, lightweight and flexible. However, there are downsides. Here are the pros and cons of using copper pipes in your home’s plumbing:
Pros
- Copper lasts longer than PVC – as long as 70 years – but only if the water running through the pipes is not acidic.
- Copper is durable enough to withstand the elements. It can be installed outdoors.
- Copper pipes have thin walls; so they won’t take up a lot of room and can be installed in tight spaces.
- Copper resists vibration damage better than PVC. This makes it a better choice for earthquake-prone areas.
- Copper does not pose a health risk because it does not contain chemicals.
- It prevents bacteria growth and has high resistance to chlorine.
- Because they are 100% metal, copper pipes are completely recyclable.
- Copper pipes can handle heat without losing their strength.
- They have widespread acceptance across all municipal codes.
Cons
- Copper pipes are significantly more expensive than PVC pipes.
- Because they don’t expand, they are prone to bursting if they freeze.
- Copper pipes will develop pinhole leaks if the water running through them is acidic.
- Since the joints need to be soldered, copper pipes can only be installed and serviced by a professional plumber.
- Copper pipes may give water a slight metallic taste.
- Their thinner walls make them noisier than PVC pipes, especially when water pressure is high.
- Clogs and blockages inside copper pipes are hard to remove.
PVC pipes
PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a durable and lightweight plastic used in manufacturing plumbing pipes. Since its introduction, PVC piping has rivaled copper pipes in popularity. The reasons for its widespread adoption are explained below, as well as its cons.
Pros
- PVC is a lot cheaper than copper.
- Because it is made of plastic, PVC does not corrode.
- Due to the thickness of the pipes, PVC is more resistant to impact damage and abrasion.
- Compared to copper, PVC has superior noise-canceling qualities, even with higher water velocities.
- PVC is easier to install than copper; it does not require special tools and expertise.
- PVC minimizes heat loss; this can have a significant impact on energy costs.
- PVC pipes rarely become blocked.
- PVC pipes don’t freeze as easily as copper pipes.
Cons
- PVC pipes are not as durable as copper pipes; the joints eventually crack and leak over time.
- Because they react to sunlight, PVC pipes are not suitable for outdoor use.
- PVC pipes are more fragile and likely to break if dropped or stepped on during installation.
- PVC pipes may support bacteria growth.
- When used underground PVC pipes may require support.
If you looked at this list of pros and cons and felt there is not much to choose between the two options, you are perfectly right. The truth is, you don’t need to stress too hard about which piping material is better for your home.
Which one is better for your home: PVC pipes or Copper pipes?
If you looked at this list of pros and cons and felt there is not much to choose between the two options, you are perfectly right. The truth is, you don’t need to stress too hard about which piping material is better for your home.
If you do not have problems with your existing piping, you can keep using the same materials. But if you are building a new home or repiping an old one, here are questions you will need to ask yourself.
- Does your area have a history of earthquakes?
- Is your water acidic?
- Will your pipes be exposed to sunlight?
- Will the pipes carry intense heat?
- How cold are the winters in your area?
Finally, when making your choice keep in mind that the more important decision is not the type of piping material you choose but the plumber you hire for the pipe installation. A wrong plumber will leave you with a plumbing system that continuously takes money out of your pockets.
On the other hand, a plumber with proven expertise in residential repiping services can install your piping to overcome the inherent weaknesses in the piping material you choose. It is also a good idea to only hire a professional plumber who understands the plumbing issues peculiar to your area.