I am currently having my master bathroom remodeled. I just noticed that the contractor was using PVC pipe instead of the copper that he was replacing. I asked him if he could use copper for the remainder of the job, but he claimed what he was using “C-PVC” was just as good as copper.
The PVC strikes me as kind of cheap and easy to break. I am wondering what everyone’s opinion is on this C-PVC vs. copper?
Replies
copper hands down.
I just replaced ALL of my plumbing with copper, the CPVC burst after a mild freeze..not just a little, splits along a ten foot run..can't see it till it leaks, brittle, and the fittings are prone to leaks too..
all in all..copper it's whats for dinner
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
You do realize that pvc and cpvc are not the same...
PVC works great for drains. CPVC works well for garden sheds. Copper is best for your house.
Did he give a proposal before starting? I would find it odd that he would not put back what he took out...the type, not the salvaged pipe.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Hi..As already mentioned, there is a differnce between PVC vs CPVC. You can just look at the pipe and see the difference. Also, you'll see the markings indicating the material. Also worth mentioning, in our state of Oregon PVC is not even pernitted to be installed w/in 3' of the perimeter of the residence. As for you concern between the plastic pipe vs copper: Copper wins, hands down. I'm no plumber, but I have installed both products in the past, and would not want to use CPVC for plumbing a house again. As for what plumbers in our area use, they REALLY like copper, but I'm seeing alot of PEX (crosslink) piping being used, only because it is easy and quick to install, and also is fairly durable. As for what the plumber installed in your house..you should review your contract; if it does state copper...I'd push him to install it. Good Luck.
Personally? I wouldn't want CPVC in my house.
Either Cu or PEX.
Where do you live? If you have reactive water (acidic or alkaline) then plastic PEX is good. CPVC is ok. If your water is normal then copper.
The only important difference between PVC and CPVC is that CPVC has a higher temperature rating. It can be used under pressure to 180°F vs. 140°F for PVC. In residential they don't even offer PVC for water supply lines because there is too much chance that someone not knowing would use it on a hot water line. Since drain lines are not pressurized, the slightly less expensive PVC is used there.
In areas where water is corrosive, CPVC and PEX are both excellent choices, since copper cannot be used.
But, I would disagree with your plumber that CPVC is "just as good" as copper. It is certainly easier to damage physically, though in a wall that would not be a real concern. The greater concern is that you have to install special fittings to connect CPVC to copper or brass pipe or fittings. You can't just screw plastic threads into brass fittings, or vice versa, because the thermal expansion is so different that over time the threads will leak. So, where your CPVC might connect to a shower valve, lets say, you risk a leak without the proper transition fitting. If your plumber installs such fittings then you're ok, but you are getting a beer job instead of a champagne job.
In my first house, the plastic piping did not have the correct transition fittings. One day the tankless water heater malfunctioned and I got steam out of the shower. (That's a whole other topic.) It softened all the metal to plastic joints and I had to rip out walls everywhere between the second floor bathroom and the basement and replace every single joint because they all leaked. Granted, plastic is clearly not designed to withstand steam, but it did sour me on accepting something less than copper for my plumbing.
You'll have to consider your approach with your plumber. If the contract didn't say then you have no ironclad case to make him change it out unless you pay for the entire cost to change. If it were me, I would have asked before the job started, because failing to agree is agreeing to fail. But, I think you are not unreasonable to expect that the plumber to not have substituted something of lesser quality without getting your approval in advance. You are the amateur and he is the professional. You are paying him for his expertise, therefore you have a right to expect that his knowledge is greater than yours and would not, therefore, install something a step down in quality from what he was removing without your approval. But, it fully meets code, so he is not doing substandard work. Part of the blame is yours for not asking for copper in the first place if that's what you wanted, but as a professional he shares in the blame for not making sure what you, as the client, wanted before quoting the job.
Sorry to disagree with the heart of the forum...
I've tossed this around in my mind for a while. All new construction in Indianapolis from the production builders is cpvc - not a lick or stick of copper to be found anywhere. Maybe some of the custom guys are using it, but I doubt it. So my last house was cpvc. 6-mos, no call backs, cross my fingers. It's a lot nicer to work with - i.e. less expensive, no risk of fire
But I still haven't gotten the eye surgery because I want to see how it works out in the long run...
remodeler
Fire that hack plumber now!!!! Putting cpvc in a house where there was already copper is unconscionable. Have it done right with copper!!! If the plumber(are you sure he's a licensed plumber?) is cutting corners with the pipe, I'd hate to see what he's installing for fixtures and valves. Others may disagree - but, I wouldn't run cpvc to an outhouse.
I'm not a licensed plumber but, if your anywhere near Beaverton, Oregon respond to this message and I'll come to your house and install the copper piping and ball valves for the cost of materials. It really galls me to hear things like this. That so called plumber has no shame, or pride!
Where I live the water has a high iron content, cpvc is a better choice than copper here. I won't get into any arguments which is better, I wouldn't worry that your plumber is using cpvc.
mike
Pex - will not corrode from high mineral content and will expand (not fail) when frozen.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv