There are a lot of choices for plumbing these days as far as material go. Metal, with copper being the primary material and synthetics, meaning plastic. There are a lot of options, but which way to go?

Copper Water Pipe & Tubing

First let us look at traditional copper tubing and pipe. Over 80 years and miles and miles; copper has been the primary water delivery choice. Copper will not pollute your water and is the longevity king. However mining and smelting copper is far from green and it is expensive. Copper is a globally traded commodity and therefore very, very expensive at close to $200 per 100 foot for 3/4” copper pipe.

PEX or Crosslinked Polyethylene Water Pipe

PEX or crosslinked polyethylene is the relatively new darling on the block for water delivery, hot or cold. Flexible PEX can be snaked through walls and is a very good choice for retrofitting. Fittings and pipe are inexpensive compared to copper, at $75 or so for 100 feet of 3/4 inch tubing or pipe with 1/2” at a mere $30 or so. No soldering, clamps and fittings speed installation. With about 10 years of years of installation use it appears to be durable and easily worked.

CPVC or Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Water Pipe

For the DIY crowd there is Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride or CPVC. No health concerns have been attributed to it and it has been around for 40 years and was originally used for waste water plumbing. Cuts with a handsaw, mates with adhesives just like regular PVC. Not green or recyclable but it is durable and runs about $50 per 100 feet.

PP or Polypropylene Pipe

PP or polypropylene pipe has been used in Europe for over 30 years, though not used much in the U.S. it has a reputation for durability and health safety. The greenest solution out of the above it does require special tools that maybe cost prohibitive for the DIY guy or gal, but probably is the future of for water delivery plumbing. It is used extensively where corrosive liquids are handled.

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene or ABS Plastic Pipe

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene or more commonly called ABS plastic is the conventionally used for home sewer and drainage systems along with PVC. It is tough and resistant to corrosion and is easily worked with.

Galvanized Steel & Black Pipe

Galvanized steel and black pipe should not be used for potable water delivery and of the metals steel has the shortest life span. Galvanized steel is safe for the delivery of pH neutral potable water supplies, but acidic water speeds corrosion shortening life, a possible a factor if you’re on a well. It should be noted that it is impossible to be sure that there are no contaminants in the water due to leaching with any material. Galvanized steel has life cycle of about 40 years. Cast iron, ABS and PVC are limited to drains, with cast iron only encountered in older homes.

Black Steel Pipe

Steel black pipe corrodes rapidly if used for water, it is primarily used for home gas delivery. Galvanized pipe flakes can cause obstructions choking off a gas line, so black pipe is the choice.

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