Which pop in is used in which program will largely depend on the age of your plumbing system?
However,this will be an overview of pipe materials for use in plumbing applications.
Description:High-quality sanitary waste drain pipe that is heavy and deadens the sound of flowing wastewater very well.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Repairs are often made using plastic PVC piping.
Prevalent Use:Use for main soil stack waste lines and vent pipes.
Cutting and Fitting:Requires heavy-duty reciprocating saw or a special cutting tool called a cast-iron pipe cutter.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
PVC (Poly-Vinyl Chloride)
Appearance:White rigid plastic.
Description:PVC is now the de-facto standard in-home waste line materials.
It is a strong, chemical-resistant rigid pipe that is somewhat heat resistant andeasily cut and fit.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Prevalent Use:Use for sanitary waste lines, vent pipes, and drain traps.
Cutting and Fitting:PVC pipe is easily cut with a hacksaw or tubing cutter.
NOTE:You may notice another plastic pipe used in your home plumbing systema black plastic pipe.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
If you have ABS pipe, it is cut and fitted using the same methods as for PVC.
Chromed Brass
Appearance:Bright, shiny chrome-finished pipe of larger diameter.
Prevalent Use:Exposed drains and traps.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Cutting and Fitting:Easily cut with a hacksaw, and joined with slip fittings.
Description:Chromed copper pipe is often used where the appearance of exposed water supply lines is important.
Prevalent Use:Exposed water supply lines, such as supply tubing for toilets or pedestal sinks.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Galvanized Iron
Appearance:Dull silver-gray rigid metal pipe.
Galvanized iron pipe is difficult to cut and join and not easily fabricated on site by the homeowner.
Repairs are usually done by replacing the pipes with copper or PEX.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Prevalent Use:Water supply lines and drain lines in older homes.
Cutting and Fitting:Can be cut using a reciprocating saw or hacksaw.
The pipe is joined by using threaded galvanized iron fittings.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Copper (Rigid and Flexible)
Appearance:Dull, copper-colored metal pipe.
Description:Copper pipe comes in twotypes: rigid and flexible.
Copper has proven itself over the decades to be corrosion resistant and very reliable.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Copper is a soft metal and can be easily cut and fabricated.
Rising costs for copper in recent years have caused PEX and CPVC to be used more frequently.
Copper pipe costs as much as three times as much as PEX.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Copper may also be used for gas piping.
Cutting and Fitting:Copper pipe is easily cut with a tubing cutter or hacksaw.
Sections are joined together with soldered copper connectors or copper compression fittings.
The flexible copper pipe may also be terminated by flaring its end and using brass flare fittings.
CPVC (Chlorinated Poly Vinyl Chloride)
Appearance:Dull white or cream-colored plastic.
Description:CPVC is an inexpensive rigid plastic that is designed to withstand high pressure and temperature.
Prevalent Use:CPVC is used for hot and cold water supply piping.
Cutting and Fitting:The pipe is easily cut with atubing cutteror hacksaw.
Because PEX is flexible and uses fewer connections and fittings, it is easier and faster to install.
The reduced number of required fittings in a PEX system also reduces the possibility of leaks.
PEX has become a favorite of contractors installing new plumbing systems and plumbers making major upgrades toolder systems.
Increasingly, homeowners are also discovering the merits of PEX pipe.
Prevalent Use:Water supply and radiant heating pipe.
Cutting and Fitting:PEX is cut and fit with specialized fittings and tools.
Prevalent Use:Natural gas or propane supply pipes.
It is often used for feeding gas supply to the furnace, boiler, or water heater.
The pipe is joined using threaded black pipe fittings.
