Plastic vs metal pipes? - replacement

speedball1 · Sep 5, 2005, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bauerjab

I am replacing the the 1 1/2" OD thin metal piping underneath my kitchen faucet. It is corroded.

My choices are to replace it with metal or plastic.

Is one better than the other?

Are there advantages/disadvantages of one versus the other.

My intuition tells me to replace it with plastic as this will not corrode like metal.

I am a new house owner and the house is supplied by well water. The house now has a fairly sophisticated water filtering system to remove iron from the iron laden water. Prior to that, I think there was damage done to the plumbing because of the high iron content.

Thanks in advance

John

Good morning John,

You are correct when you assume that plastic will out last metal in drainage.
However, since I'm guessing you have a metal trap that connects to the tailpiece you're replacing I would make sure that the PVC replacement tailpiece will fit in the trap otherwise you may find yourself replacing the trap also. Good luck, Tom

bauerjab · Sep 5, 2005, 05:02 AM

Thank you. I also replaced the trap with a plastic one.

In fact, I did all of this yesterday and nothing leaks.

I wanted to make sure that I did not do anything wrong.

It just makes no sense to me not to use plastic.

Why would they continue to sell metal?

Is all new construction with plastic? Or is metal still being used?

Thanks again.

John

speedball1 · Sep 5, 2005, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bauerjab

Thank you. I also replaced the trap with a plastic one.

In fact, I did all of this yesterday and nothing leaks.

I wanted to make sure that I did not do anything wrong.

It just makes no sense to me not to use plastic.

Why would they continue to sell metal?

Is all new construction with plastic? Or is metal still being used?

Thanks again.

John

We use plastic on our new construction. However on a repair job, if the stubout's copper it's easier to replace with a chrome trap and tailpiece the it is to convert to PVC. You made the right choice. Cheers, Tom

labman · Sep 5, 2005, 06:47 AM

There are certain people that an illogical hatred for plastic, and avoid using it. There are occasional places where the piping is subject to mechanical abuse or heat that metal might be better. I am sure plastic was the right choice for you. I use it wherever I can.

Plastic vs metal pipes? - replacement

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