What's better, copper, Tufpex, etc...

[Tom]

For plumbing, does anyone have a preference? I was leaning to copper plumbing just because I'm not very familiar with the other types. Also, I remember the Quest plumbing disaster that happened around town in sothern Cal. That was supposed to be the latest and greatest. I'm a dinosaur and prefer something that has worked for many decades.

[Mark]

There's nothing wrong with PVC or Copper, pvc is cheaper, faster and easier to install. It can also has more flex than copper (important in a home that's going to be bent out of shape numerous times while being moved).

PVC is basically inert, copper, being a metal, will react with other metals, including those in the water.

I've worked with PVC, copper and that aweful poly that was banned years ago (haven't worked with pex, so can't comment, but it sounds simular).

Both will freeze, and copper is harder to repair.

PVC and PEX are both pretty much the defactor standard now.

PS, when I say PVC, I mean PVC and CPVC jointly.

[rmurray]

Some PEX lines are pretty good...line is flexable..so 40 to 50% less fittings..25 year warranty on the line leaking...brass fittings often carry 10 year leak warranty...freeze resistant to -95 degrees...will not break when frozen..natural and added chemicals in water have no effect...

Nothing like poly at all...

[james]

I believe that HUD has allowed manufactured home builders to use PEX since 1996 so there should be some track record on the product in manufactured homes.

[mac]

I'm seeing more PEX in site-built homes where I live - they come off a manifold. My neighbor replaced his copper before switching to PVC - there's quite a bit of iron in our water, and his pipes corroded.