Copper pipes or plastic pipes?

[TitustheFox]

Hi!

I have to change all the plumbing in my mother's house. She lives in an old building that is approximately 100 years old and there wasn't much done to keep it up to date. My question is: do I use plastic or copper pipes?

 

[Aquarius]

I prefer copper, but that’s my personal choice, plastic does have its uses, provided it’s intalled correctly, ie, to manufactures instructions.

 

[Last Plumber]

.................. COPPER.

 

[SimonG]

Copper all the way

 

[Scott_D]

Can you solder?
do you have tools for copper work?

 

[SJB060685]

Bare in mind plastic and copper have different pressure loss and flow rate characteristics, not to mention price difference, skill required and durability etc etc.

 

[Peterdevon]

Copper is the only one to use

 

[Stigster]

It's copper for me all the way. That said, to use plastic is not "wrong" and it is more DIY friendly. As already mentioned follow all manufacturer instructions and plastic is a perfectly acceptable solution.

If you are handy with the craft stuff though and can get a hold of a pipe bender, blowtorch and soldering kit and have a practice, a properly and skilfully installed copper system is superior in the long term in my opinion.

 

[Stu-B]

There’s nothing wrong with fitting plastic, it’s not just for DIYers as others here may suggest.
For exposed work it’s got to be copper, you just can’t get plastic to look right plus the fittings are really bulky, but under floors and what not I always use plastic.

 

[Stigster]

I agree with what you are saying, Stu. My comment was not saying plastic is for DIYers but that it is more "DIY friendly" which I am sure is true, looking at it from a purely novice point of view. A flat blade cutter, clips, liners and the right fittings, pipe shipped in all the way to the stop and Bob's your auntie's live-in lover, easy.

Bending copper and soldering, not so easy until you've had a fair bit of practice. I like plastic mainly for running through inaccessible places with no joints, like through the eave space of my dad's house recently which was to be boarded in and finished. Great for things like that and under floors as you say.

If I am given free reign I'll still use copper everywhere I can.

 

[Stu-B]

I agree with what you are saying, Stu. My comment was not saying plastic is for DIYers but that it is more "DIY friendly" which I am sure is true, looking at it from a purely novice point of view. A flat blade cutter, clips, liners and the right fittings, pipe shipped in all the way to the stop and Bob's your auntie's live-in lover, easy.

Bending copper and soldering, not so easy until you've had a fair bit of practice. I like plastic mainly for running through inaccessible places with no joints, like through the eave space of my dad's house recently which was to be boarded in and finished. Great for things like that and under floors as you say.

If I am given free reign I'll still use copper everywhere I can.

I wasn’t having a go at you pal Just often plastic gets a bad rep especially from the oldies here, I like a mixture of both and sometimes plastic is better (did I say that out loud)

 

[SimonG]

Just priced a job that will be plastic, new build that wants to extend hot and cold to garage for a little utility room that's being created. Hot and cold from 1st floor bathroom to top of stairs, cored through external wall, in 4" black soil, cored through garage wall and down to floor level. All in one piece.

 

[Jim Goodenough]

Interesting post all, you can buy plastic in 6m lengths which is handy (coils are good but can drive you round the bend!).
Personally I'm a copper man, I reckon you always use less fittings with copper than with plastic.
Even to install plastic needs skill to fit properly.