If you want a reliable, long-term plumbing solution, you will go with copper pipe, the thickest-walled you can find. If it is installed correctly -- that is, by someone who isn't a moron -- it will be angled so that there are no low spots where water can gather and freeze. When this is done, and you install a drain valve at the lowest point, you can completely drain all your lines, and don't need to worry about anything except your toilets, which should have alcohol poured into them to keep them from freezing up. I'm talking about a summer camp situation here, or closing up your house for a long time during the winter.
If you are living in your house, you need to keep enough heat on the pipes so that they don't freeze. You cannot count on a flexible pipe to save your ass -- flexible plastic pipes will burst after feezing and thawing repeatedly. In any case, plastic should never be used for water pipes if you can get copper. An experienced plumber will install the pipes in such a way that they can be insulted against cold air drafts. For example, you never install a pipe on the outer wall of a house if you can possibly avoid it. That is asking for them to freeze up in winter.
I tried using that plastic pipe one time. I hated it, and would avoid it like the plague in future. It's about on the same level as aluminum wiring.
I guess type K is a way to invest in precious metal.
No shit. It's good to be a skinflint hoarder. I have enough used/salvaged copper pipe to do a medium size project. It won't be bright and shiny when I'm done, but I'll save several hundred dollars.
Ok, most kitchens are on outside walls as are alot of bathroms, I used to be a copper fan. Regardless of the type they do develop pinhole leaks in some areas (depends on the water). Its currently pvc and the alternative is to use heat tape which I really dont like to do.
Also avoid copper pipe or fittings that comes from China that fail more often.
And is copper, with extra lead.
I’ve found that the pinhole leaks are typically from the flux not being wiped off thoroughly after they are soldered. If done properly copper will last forever. I don’t have as much experience w PEX but it’s been fine in the houses I’ve seen it installed in, but it is not time tested. Plus, what we know about plastics causing a drop of testosterone, I wouldn’t want my water running through any kind of plastic
every pinhole I have seen is in the middle of a pipe
Plastic pipe is ok in south texas and such, where it might freeze 1-2 times in 30 years. further north you are 100% correct. Most home depos have 2 kinds of copper pipe, the red writing is the normal, the one with the blue will last though more freezes. If you have shit on exterior walls, wrap with heat tape.
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