The Best Materials For Repiping Your Home

What Kind Of Materials Should You Use To Repipe Your Home

Repiping is certainly one of biggest plumbing jobs that a house might need. For the plumbing systems of older houses, the pipes can be manufactured from steel or iron. Even though those plumbing materials are hard, durable metals, they are both extremely vulnerable to corrosion over years of use. While steel or iron once dominated the plumbing industry for decades, different materials have since become more efficient, last longer, and are a more budget friendly alternative to metal piping of the past. If your plumbing has become corroded and your home is due for repiping here are some new materials to consider.

What to Expect When You Decide on Repiping Your Home

Your plumber will likely offer you a choice between these materials when you decide on repiping your home. Talk to your plumber about what you want your new pipes to do for your home, and in some cases you may want to even talk about energy efficiency and getting the most out of your pipes. Do you want your pipes to last longer? Are you interested in something more budget friendly or cost effective for your home remodel? Or are you simply looking for the most energy efficient option? No matter what you want your repiping to do for your home, you have plenty of options when it comes to materials. Some plumbers have also developed minimally invasive techniques for repiping, so you should discuss these options for construction in lieu of ripping out walls.

Copper Repiping Material

The most popular metal used for pipes these days in lieu of steel and iron is copper. Lighter than steel but very flexible, copper has less of a chance to burst if placed under pressure after years of use. However, the most important benefit of copper when compared to older metals like galvanized steel and iron is that copper is corrosion resistant, which makes this steel and iron replacement in repiping one to truly consider.

CPVC repiping material

There are many types of plastic piping utilized in plumbing today for repiping projects. As far as chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) goes, it’s the most commonly and widely used. CPVC is crafted out of a strong polymer and it can deal with more extreme temperature changes in the home than other plastic piping, which makes it perfect for repiping hot water lines.

PEX repiping material

The most recent plastic repiping option to enter the plumbing industry is pass-linked polyethylene, otherwise known as PEX. PEX pipes, unlike CPVC, are tremendously flexible making them easy to install in very tight locations. They’re also much less high priced than copper and can last a lot longer than CPVC piping; however, PEX piping materials aren’t as budget friendly, if you’re looking to spend less on your repiping. CPVC is the most cost-effective material for repiping and PEX also has the longest life. Talk to your plumber about what your best plumbing bet is when it comes to repiping your home.