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For homeowners

Types of pipes: which one fits your home?

Choose copper for supply lines where the water is not aggressive to copper (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999); PEX for supply lines that could freeze (HUD PEX design guide, 2006); CPVC for rigid plastic hot and cold supply lines, within one maker's 180°F rating; PVC for drain, waste and vent lines and the service line to the house (per a CPVC maker).

The right choice depends on whether your water is aggressive to copper, whether the line carries hot water, cold water or drain waste, and whether the pipe runs where it could freeze or sit in sunlight.

How we know: By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. · Sources read: 17 October 2026 · Updated 27 October 2026

TypeBest forMain advantagesMain drawbacks
Coppersupply lines where the water is not aggressive to copper (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999)needs less support than plastic pipe (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999)some aggressive water attacks copper (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999); conducts heat, so it needs insulation, and condensation is a concern (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999); 180 times more rigid than PEX, so pressure surges can bang as water hammer (HUD PEX design guide, 2006)
PEXsupply lines that could freeze (HUD PEX design guide, 2006)improved freeze resistance (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999); long coils feed manifold water distribution systems and cut out joints (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999)its long-term performance is affected by UV radiation from sunlight (HUD PEX design guide, 2006); needs room for expansion, and in 1999 not every code accepted it (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999)
CPVCrigid plastic hot and cold supply lines, within one maker's 180°F ratingno corrosion concerns and no water hammer, with reduced heat loss through the pipe, which reduces condensation (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999)needs more support than copper or steel, and a 24-hour joint cure time is recommended (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999); installing it in extremely hot temperatures can lead to later joint failure (HUD Rehab Guide, 1999)
PVCdrain, waste and vent lines and the service line to the house (per a CPVC maker)no official source names onemaker rating: a 140°F maximum operating temperature for PVC pipe (a PVC pipe maker); intended only for cold water, per a CPVC maker

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What water pipe replacement job do you need done in your home? Describe it once to start your written scope.

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What types of water pipes are there?

HUD's Rehab Guide on plumbing (1999) covers three materials for new water supply piping: copper, CPVC and PEX. It says galvanized iron and steel piping "were replaced by copper tubing post-war and by plastics from the 1970s."

For PVC, a CPVC maker says "PVC can be used for residential service lines to the building and drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems", and a PVC pipe maker rates PVC pipe at a 140°F maximum operating temperature.

How do you join copper pipes?

HUD's Rehab Guide (1999) says copper "Joints are made by soldering, brazing, and two-component adhesives." and "Soldering can be done by electric resistance tools and by torches."

On solder, the same 1999 guide says: "Federal law changed to prohibit lead solder in potable water systems."

What type of pipe is no longer used in plumbing?

Polybutylene: HUD's PEX design guide (2006) says it was used "about 1978 to 1995. There were several reported failures; therefore, PB is no longer approved for water supply piping". HUD's Rehab Guide (1999) adds: "Certain connectors and pipe in polybutylene water systems are known to fail."

Galvanized: HUD's Rehab Guide (1999) says "Galvanized iron piping has corrosion problems that are often exacerbated by adverse water conditions and heat."

For the service line from the water main to the house, EPA's federal drinking-water rules define a galvanized service line as one "made of iron or steel that has been dipped in zinc to prevent corrosion and rusting".

What does water pipe replacement cost?

For prices, see How much does it cost to repipe a house?

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Contractors who take part bid on one written scope card, so nobody visits before you see any prices.

Contact details stay hidden until the homeowner picks a contractor and they confirm the connection.

Homeowners pay InstaBids nothing.

Sources for the facts on this page

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