Household Plumbing Conduit Alternatives

Copper

• Copper tubing is one of the most commonly used alternatives to lead conduit, and for good reason. It is available in a wide range of sizes to fit any plumbing need, and it is durable, easy to work with and readily available. There is some possibility of copper leaching into the drinking water, but levels of copper can be reduced by using a water filter.

ABS

• Another popular choice for residential plumbing is Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene, or ABS. Like copper, it is durable, and fittings and multiple sizes are easy to find. Its main advantages are that it is flexible, lightweight and less expensive.

PVC

• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl) pipe has been in use since the 1930s, and has many of the same advantages as ABS pipe. However, it has fallen out of favor with some consumers due to potential health concerns, such as the leaching of vinyl chloride monomer, a carcinogen, especially with older pipes.

Other Plastics

• Older plastic pipes such as Polybutylene, or PB, caused concerns about leaching and are no longer used in residential plumbing. However, the newer cross-linked polyethylene pipes, such as PEX and CPVC, have become more common. Like copper, these plastics do not corrode and require little maintenance.