Replies

1. 
   johnnyd | Jul 23, 2003 06:21pm | #1

   Try this thread:  30211.1

2. 
   mike4244 | Jul 23, 2003 09:38pm | #2

   Cpcv plastic is used quite a bit where I live . We have hard water, copper would be my preference except for the hard water condition. Both are easy to install. Copper costs more but that is not really much of a concern for one home. If we were talking a tract of homes then savings might be considered  using cpvc over copper. If you are doing the plumbing yourself I would go with whatever you are comfortable with.

3. 
   steve | Jul 23, 2003 10:10pm | #3

   copper and only copper, plastic stuff is ok for now but what happens to it in 50 years?

   copper is a proven product, easy to solder, looks professional

   a well soldered joint will never fail

   i wouldnt use anything else

   caulking is not a piece of trim

1. 
   VaTom | Jul 24, 2003 01:32am | #4

   "i wouldnt use anything else"

   You might if you lived around here and used a well.  Commonly, copper will start springing pin hole leaks at year 5.  If the well is unusually acidic, year 3.  Total replacement soon follows.

   Our building dept. suggests water ph tests prerequisite for using copper, which is rarely used.

   I was lucky and came up with almost 7, but that's unusual.PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

4. 
   sungod | Jul 24, 2003 01:56am | #5

   If you use plastic, have the electrician attach his Service Panel ground wire to the rebar at the bottom of your footing for grounding.

5. 
   MGMaxwell | Jul 24, 2003 04:16am | #6

   Neither. Use PEX

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 24, 2003 08:21am | #9

   I'd agree with the PEX suggestion except .... for the average capable DIY'er, the tools necessary for making up the joints aren't in the tool box by default. Nothing money can't solve, of course. And yes, if I ever had it to do over again, I'd buy the tools, learn how to make up the joints and use it all the way through the place.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

6. 
   EricS | Jul 24, 2003 05:01am | #7

   Here in Silver Spring, Maryland, many of the homes have sprouted pin hole leaks in their copper piping mainly within the past ten years.  The true root cause has NOT yet been determined and, rest assured, the local water supply utility has had some high end experts look the problem over.

   When I completely replumbed my current home (in the process of a very complete renovation/restoration), I went with CPVC - the majority installed by a "pro", the rest installed by me.  From the main water valve to the WH and 4' beyond, I did heavy wall copper and then all CPVC past that.  This was the code in Maryland (1998) as I understood it at the time.  When I needed to redo the laundry sink and clothes washer supplies after the initial install, it was simple.

   As another poster said, PEX is probably the better material over CPVC but then you need to count on having an installer who is experienced with PEX and, I would think, any future mods to the system would be performed by someone other than yourself unless you are willing to invest the $ in special tools and fittings.

   In summary - I believe a combination of copper and cpvc can't be beat when all is considered.

   Eric S.

7. 
   Nivek | Jul 24, 2003 05:16am | #8

   I've installed copper, cvpc and pex and find pex the hands down easiest to install. Much easier to rout and join. Hardly any 90 degree elbows. As for longevity? It does a sweet job it just has to be supported more.

1. 
   zztop | Jul 24, 2003 04:08pm | #10

   Thanks to all for the information/recommendations.  I am not very familiar with PEX, but will certainly check it out.  Have started reading about it, and it (initial research, at least) appears to have some distinct advantages.  I wanted to do the plumbing on this house myself.  Have any DIY's out there tried to install PEX?  How doable is it for a "good handyman"?  The only experience I have had is with copper and PVC.  Also, how much does the proper tools cost?

   Thanks again for your help,

   vlperk

1. 
   AndyEngel | Jul 24, 2003 08:46pm | #12

   I installed PEX for the radiant floor heating in my own house. It's dead easy to use, and heck, I'm an editor. Didn't use it for domestic water, but I wish I had. You do have to bring copper through the walls at the fixtures, but there are compression fittings that handle the transition. Andy Engel, The Former Accidental Moderator

1. 
   caseyr | Jul 25, 2003 04:02am | #13

   One of the vendors of PEX that has been mentioned frequently in past posts is Wirsbo:

   http://www.atgco.com/atg/05.pdf

   Unfortunately, the tools are not cheap:

   http://www.accentshopping.com/store/other/viewlineitems.asp?TypeID=18 

   Other vendors have different tool requirements, including the PEX connectors I saw at a local hardware store that required no special tools - the connectors screwed together with regular wrenches.  I think the number of necessary connectors would get expensive in a hurry, however. 

2. 
   DennisS | Jul 24, 2003 07:59pm | #11

   Kev -

   I mentioned the tool issue perviously, - are the tools for fitting makeup readily availble to the general public? (for working with PEX)

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   Nivek | Jul 27, 2003 10:15pm | #14

   I live in Montreal and bought the crimper to pressure fit the fittings at Reno Depot. It is not unlike Home Depot. I also bought the cutting tool there but it is not essential. The fittings can be purchased at just about any big hardware store. The crimper cost me $180 CAN and has paid for itself many times. I am not a plumber just a builder and renovator and sometimes have to do plumbing for bathroom renos or kitchen renos. I did a job in a new home that had existing PEX so I hesitantly bought the crimper so I could match the plumbing instead of converting to copper. Now the PEX works so easily I convert from copper to PEX when working in older homes. If anyone thinks they can do the job with copper they can certainly do it with PEX.

   Kev

1. 
   DennisS | Jul 28, 2003 07:15am | #15

   Hey, thanks, Kev -

   I never even thought to check at Home Depot to see if they had the PEX crimping tools. But as another post noted, and as I know from experience, Wirsbo and other PEX mfr's take different fittings and perhaps different tools to do the joint make-up.

   After working with it in installing our in-floor heating and watching what the plumbers could accomplish using it to route water piping, I, too, am sold on the stuff.

   I haven't tried this but the plumber said he did - cap one end of a short piece of PEX, fill it with water and cap the other end. Put it in the freezer for a few days or however. The stuff is amazing - no splitting whatsoever (according to the plumber).

   I'll check around the local DYI places and see if they have any of the tools available.

   Finding the fittings might be another story, though.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   Nivek | Jul 29, 2003 06:33am | #16

   I was able to buy all the fittings I needed at Reno Depot.

   Kev

2. 
   YouBetchYa | Jul 29, 2003 08:50pm | #17

   Has anyone heard about research regarding health issues with using cpvc/pex or other plastics for domestic water?  I know that they have been approved by code, I am just wondering if there are studies out there, seeing as it is recent technology.  Are the effects yet to be seen?

   Just a thought.....

   I don't have all the answers, but I have plenty of questions!