Plastic vs Metal Pipes

• Jan 01, 2016
• electric-admin
• 0
• cons, metal, pipes, plastic, plumbing, pros

No matter how well the owner takes care of the plumbing in his or her home, eventually the time will come when the entire plumbing system will need to be updated and replaced. When that time comes, one should take the time to carefully decide what sort of pipes that they will be using to do that. Basically, the choice comes down to plastic pipes and metal pipes, but there a whole assortment of different factors that must be taken into consideration. Here’s some of the pros and cons of different pipe and how it can factor into your plumbing…

METAL

Pros

The good thing about metal pipes is that they are, obviously, made from strong materials. As a matter of fact, most metal pipes are made from steel, which is incredibly durable and can last a long amount of time without needing repairs. This makes metal piping a good option for those who want to get this done with and not have to deal with it again. Another great thing about metal pipes is that the backfill doesn’t need to be as carefully calibrated when you put the pipes under the floor and ground.

Cons

While there are many terrific reasons to use metal, and specifically steel, pipes for your updated plumbing system, there are a number of negative factors that weigh into this, as well. For example, metal pipes are usually a lot more expensive, and is only becoming more so nowadays, since it isn’t mass produced nearly as much as it once was, due to the rise of plastic plumbing. Another thing to be careful of with steel pipes is the rust that can form between the threads, as this can get into your home’s drinking water and contaminate it.

PLASTIC

Pros

We live in the age where people love DIY projects, and often prefer to take on projects, themselves. This is a desire that is very much fulfilled by plastic plumbing pipes, as they are very easy to work with and cut. Currently, it is very easy to find unique pieces of plastic pipes for any job, as it is very popular. It also comes in a very flexible version, which can make it easier to place. Plastic is also a lot cheaper than most metal piping.

Cons

Despite the immediate benefits, there is always one thing that plastic will never have on metal: it will never last as long. On top of that, while it can resist a lot of heat, it is nowhere near as heat resistant as something like steel. This means that you will probably need to replace many of these pipes a lot sooner than you would need to replace a metal one.

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