Plumbing is more than knowing how to connect pipes together, it is knowing what types of pipes to use. PLumbers at several local Boston plumbing companies say that when engaging in home improvement projects, people often want to use cheaper materials, to cut down on costs. Rarely do they stop and wonder why something is cheaper, or more expensive than alternative materials. Common materials used to make plumbing pipes and joints include copper, iron, brass, and PVC. Copper is often hailed as the best of materials and to understand why, it is important to contrast copper with the other popular material types.

Iron, and steal are common plumbing piping materials, although it is normally for drain-lines and not for incoming water. Plumbers at a number of San Diego plumbing companies say that these are cheaper piping alternatives, compared to copper, but they are also subject to corrosion. Long pipe runs must also have more support because of the additional weight of the pipe. This increases costs and installation time. Copper often is polished to a smoother finish (inside) the pipe, this smooth finish makes copper less prone to clogging than steel or iron pipes. Because of corrosion, weight, and their weakness to clogging, the lower cost is offset by the more frequent replacement and maintenance requirement.

Brass and copper are very similar metals according to the plumbers we spoke to at several Atlanta plumbing companies. Brass is stronger than copper and can provide great protection for plumbing. It is much more costly though. Because of the cost it is commonly only used in fixtures and not in piping. Brass is heavier, but not nearly as much as iron or steel. Other than strength, weight, and cost copper is about the same as brass. Most plumbers realize this and use copper as the more cost effective option.

Brass and other metal materials, including copper, are loosing favor as PVC and CPVC is becoming a low cost alternative to metals. PVC has become an industry leader, in piping material. It is estimated that sixty-six percent of the pipes installed in recent construction are PVC or a more flexible CPVC. The popularity is driven by price, availability, and ease of installation. Copper and the other metals are far more expensive than the plastic PVC. PVC cannot match the strength of the equivalent thickness of copper or the other metals. Because PVC is plastic the manufacture cost is low, making it easy and affordable to mass produce. PVC also is easier to work with than most metal pipes. Metal pipes require skills with welding and cutting with special tools. PVC can be cut with knives, glued into fittings and joints, and require no special skills to assemble. PVC is also more prone to clogging than copper, because copper prohibits the growth of the bio-slime that coats the inside of most plumbing pipes.

While PVC may be on the rise for plumbing, most professional plumbers still prefer the use of copper in long term plumbing fixtures. The strength and reliability of copper, as well as it's medium range price, makes it attractive for residential and commercial plumbing projects and installations. As metal prices climb, PVC will become more common in plumbing and copper pipe, despite its strengths, will be seen less frequently.