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Advantages of Plastic Piping in a House

If you are building a new home or remodeling an old one, you have a choice as to the type of material you'd like to use for your plumbing. You can select traditional metal piping or the alternative plastic piping. Plastic piping has a number of advantages, especially if you are installing the plumbing yourself.
  1. Easy to Work With

    • Plastic piping is lightweight and fairly easy to maneuver into place. By contrast, metal piping is much heavier and can be much more cumbersome to set in place. The light weight and easy maneuverability of plastic piping makes it a particularly good choice for amateur and do-it-yourself remodelers who lack significant plumbing experience.

    No Special Tools

    • Something that holds many do-it-yourself homeowners back is a lack of specialty tools. Plumbing tools can be particularly costly, and justifying such a large expense is difficult, especially for a one-time project. Since plastic piping requires no special tools, homeowners don't have to choose between hiring an expensive contractor or purchasing an expensive set of tools and supplies.

    No Rust

    • One of the biggest drawbacks of metal pipes is that they can rust and corrode over time. The cumulative effects of that corrosion can mean that the entire plumbing system needs to be torn out and replaced, which can be an expensive undertaking and one that many homeowners are unprepared for. Plastic piping does not rust or corrode, making it a good choice for both new homes and remodeled ones.

    Insulating Qualities

    • Frozen pipes are always a risk, especially in parts of the country prone to cold winters and extensive periods where the temperature remains below the freezing point. Plastic pipes have insulating qualities that help to prevent the condensation that can cause pipes to freeze. However, review the ratings on any plastic piping you buy to ensure it can stand up to the winters where you live.