A novice here! Is there a difference between these three, or is it preference? Can they all be used for hot & cold? Which is the best to use in remodeling 60 yr old cottage? Thanks!

massplumber2008

There is a difference..but it still all comes down to preference. Let me see if I can help. YOU cannot use PVC pipe for hot or cold water piping anywhere that I know of...). Copper pipe is always the best in my opinion...but it has gotten ridiculously expensive the last 6-7 years. It is also extremely labor intensive. I just know that I have used it reliably for 26 years...period.

However, CPVC (not real popular in my area yet...but catching on...) seems to be catching on and is a very quick and many are saying reliable way to pipe your house today...hot and cold pipes ( I would still use copper pipe and fitting up to 18 inches off anything like a water heater, a boiler feed, a hose bib, etc., and then transition over to CPVC) You MUST use the cement AND PRIMER with CPVC...and do not overglue...can crack fitting....and ream the ends of cut pipes...*whew*

PEX pipe...well there are several kinds of PEX pipe systems...ALL that I know of require special tools to work with (but then again...so does copper pipe...huh??). Pex pipe is significantly cheaper than copper pipe...somewhere around cost of CPVC pipe...BUT fittings can get expensive as you get into 3/4" pipe size...so...somewhere in middle as far as cost comparison....LABOR is a the big savings here (or money maker if you bid against some guy that is bidding whole job copper..*wink*)...super flexible stuff so holes, joist work much faster work....can be unsightly as can get to looking a bit like spaghetti unless hung well...

For a cottage with 1 bathroom..I will always go the copper route myself..hangs well..few issues over 50 years. If more baths then one...well I would probably go over to the PEX pipe...but then again...I have the right tools.

Anyway, there you go...hope this helped. IF my answer was helpful, please RATE THIS ANSWER by clicking on button below. Thank you.

cgregory67

I have used all 3 and without a doubt PEX is best. Less fittings, easy crimp connections, no gluing, and can bend and twist anyway you need to route it. I recommend getting a PEX manifold that all your cold and hot water zones can be isolated. PEX Tubing - Wirsbo Radiant Heat - Taco Pumps - Radiant Floor Heat - PEX Plumbing Supplies is a good place to shop, and your local home warehouse has all the fittings and pipe you need as well. All the copper I removed from my house had a scrap value that paid for my PEX supplies. The crimp tool is the biggest expense of about $140 well worth it for further modifications that you may want to make to your plumbing PEX Crimp Tool - Crimp Tool for PEX Tubing - Watts PEX Crimp Tool. Another benefit to PEX is all shut-off valves are ball type and wont leak or fail to close fully after years of use. Not sure where your cottage is located or climate but PEX is also the most forgiving to freezing.

Research it a little and you will see it’s a no brainier decision.