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FAQs about PEX, Copper, CPVC and their usage in Multi-Family & Residential Repipe Projects – Orange County, San Diego, Las Vegas

What are PEX, Copper, CPVC?

PEX, Copper, CPVC and their usage as piping materials is a very important topic, exciting many industry professionals and homeowners today.  To answer the main question, PEX, Copper, and CPVC  are piping materials widely used by plumbing professionals for piping and repiping projects. Now let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions about these piping materials and their usage!

Many homeowners, property managers and Homeowner Association (HOA) professionals have questions about what piping is best when it comes to residential or multi-family repipe projects. Therefore, getting the right answer is extremely important, as every repiping project is different, hence, requiring different approach and certainly different materials to be used.

First and foremost, using a reputable licensed repiping company for your residential or multi-family repipe project is one of the most important decisions. Such company can answer vital questions for your repipe project, as well as explain the difference between the different types of building repipes and piping materials used.

Let’s start by answering some frequently asked questions about PEX, Copper, CPVC and their usage as piping materials:

1. What is PEX?

PEX simply stands for “Crosslinked Polyethylene”, which is a non-metal material. PEX tubing has been used widely for house repiping for more than forty years. Some of its great qualities are extreme flexibility, high durability, and low cost, which are particularly important for big projects like water, gas, and drain repipe. Because PEX is a highly flexible material, it offers very high level of protection during freezing temperatures. PEX tubing also doesn’t corrode, which in return offers high damage protection.

2. Why use PEX for repiping?

Created in 1968, by the inventor Dr. Thomas Engel, crosslink polyethylene, or PEX, is one of the most flexible and durable materials for piping. PEX makes plumbing systems not only more reliable and durable, but also much cleaner and definitely less noisy. Using PEX piping rewards the end user of the plumbing system with higher performance, while eliminating the need for torch and solder.

Let’s summarize some of biggest the advantages of PEX piping:

• Highly resistant to corrosion, which is a process very common to piping made from metals
• Acceptable cost range for most homeowners
• Installed in a way that is somewhat easier than some of its other competitors
• Free of the toxic metal lead
• Crosslinked Polyethylen performs very well with both, hot and cold water lines
• PEX is extremely flexible material, which is a great quality that can significantly reduce the occurrence of water leaks and prevent pipe bursting

3. What is Copper?

Copper is a natural metal, found in abundance throughout the United States. This metal is also  non-porous, thus, it doesn’t absorb other substances. Therefore, it is widely used for plumbing systems and piping that transports drinking water. In addition, copper is a metal that is easy to work with, making it the preferred material for many repiping specialists. Copper pipes are also soft, therefore, they are easily shaped, bended and joined by brazing or soldering. Therefore, many repiping professionals use them for residential and multi-family repipe projects.

4. Why use Copper for repiping?

Being a natural metal that offers qualities such as durability and high resistance, copper is often the preferred choice for any repipe job. In addition, copper is extremely resistant to higher temperatures and high water pressure. Therefore, copper is able to constantly maintain high level of performance when used for piping and re-piping purposes. It is safe to say that copper offers good value with its lower installation costs and high durability over time.

Let’s summarize some of biggest the advantages of Copper piping:

• Extremely durable with high corrosion resistance
• Features high conductivity
• Plumbing professionals use copper for both underground water services and gas services
• Lead free and very safe since it cannot create or transport a fire through the house walls or floors
• Easy to install because of its softness, hence, it significantly reduces installation cost and time
• Copper is a material that complies with the main building codes

5. What is CPVC & PVC?

CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, which is a product of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. As a product of PVC, CPVC is generally more flexible with higher temperature durability than its counterpart. CPVC has proven to be safe to human health and the environment, therefore it can also safely transport drinking water supply.

6. Why use CPVC for repiping?

CPVC pipes just like copper pipes are safe for transporting drinking water, hence their usage for repiping is high. Moreover, CPVC has been around since 1960’s and it has proven to be a good option for piping. Its high resistance to corrosion and high temperatures makes it an easy choice for residential and multi-family repiping projects. In addition, CPVC is inexpensive and quite easy to mold, hence work with.

Let’s summarize some of biggest the advantages of CPVC piping:

• Features great corrosion resistance to many corrosive materials such as acids and alkalies.
• CPVC tubing can reduce pressure drops, since its surface is much smoother creating less water friction
• Safe and extremely durable over long periods of time, without any special requirements for maintaining and upkeep
• Easy to work with and transport, saving installation time and reducing costs
• CPVC pipes perform well with higher temperatures, featuring high fire resistance

Conclusion – PEX, Copper, CPVC

In concussion, residential and multi-family pipe replacement, restoration and repipe is a major capital expense for many homeowners, property managers, and home owner association professionals. Handling a project of such magnitude successfully will always require not only years of multi-family and residential repiping experience, but also in depth analysis of the problem, finding the optimal solution for any given repipe project and last but not least budgeting accurately.

If you are have experienced multiple pipe or slab leaks and are wondering which would be the best repiping solution for your project, contact our industry experts in repiping and restoration solutions. Advanced Pipe Restoration & Repipe offers an EcoSmart Repipe solution, which includes a free repipe consultation, project management, and complete restoration of units to its original condition. We work with homeowners, property managers, Home Owner Association professionals, and engineers from start to finish, delivering unsurpassed customer service experience at competitive rates. We offer quality pipe restoration and repipe services in California & Nevada, including Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Henderson & all surrounding areas. Contact us today for you free repipe consultation at (888) 445-8720 or visit us at Advancedrepipe.com.

For more great articles on PEX, Copper, CPVC and their usage in residential and multi-family repipe projects visit us at Advancedpipe.com for more information!