Posted by Richard Dubeau on September 29, 1999 at 15:13:29:

In Reply to: Re: House repipe-copper or plastic? posted by Gerry on September 29, 1999 at 01:21:35:

: Sounds like your in the "twilight zone"
: Galvanized pipe hasn't been used for decades and copper is on it's way out. If your doing
: the work yourself and you haven't done copper
: don't even think about it. Go with pvc. Yes
: you can do it a piece at a time but the adapters and extra time are a consideration.
: Of course there are your local codes ???????

I've done a lot of plumbing replacement in my years. What I've learned is, go with copper for water lines in. The plastic pipe will leach chemicals into your drinking water. It may be tiny amounts, but that's what they always say about new products. Amounts too small to cause problems with human bodies. And by the time they figure out what they really do, in combination with all the other, tiny amounts of chemicals from everything else, it's too late for YOU. So go with copper for water in and plastic for water out. It's much easier to work with plastic, especially in the sizes needed for drains. But copper isn't really all that hard to deal with. Learn how to properly solder a joint from almost anyone. Then use a non-lead based solder. You don't really need lead poisoning do you? And it does leach lead into the water, in the usual tiny amounts. But you also get it from old paint etc. And it's a cumulative thing. Good luck. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me. :)

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