The Dangers of Flexible Plumbing Pipes

Plumbers can choose from various piping materials.

Plumbers have long installed copper piping. With the advent of polyethylene, a form of plastic, contemporary plumbers have found a new type of pipe to lay, but there are drawbacks to the new material.

Function

PEX, or polyethylene pipe, is a type of plastic that withstands extreme swings in temperature. Additionally, it has the ability to expand slightly, because of its flexibility, so that cold weather snaps do not create cracks.

Dangers

Two major factors affect the use of PEX piping. It cannot be used for outside applications because ultraviolet rays potentially degrade it. Also, because of its material configuration, contamination of the water flowing inside it is a possibility, as opposed to copper piping.

Considerations

When you decide between the newer and older forms of plumbing piping, consider where the piping will be laid and the elements it will be subjected to, as opposed to just the pricing of the material, in order to have a safe and clean plumbing system.

References

• Plumbing Networks: PEX vs. Copper Piping