Choosing the right piping material for your water supply line is essential for preserving water quality. Quality materials last long and save homeowners from incurring costly repairs. Unfortunately, the variety of water pipes on the market today can make the selection process difficult. Should you install copper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), chlorinated PVC (CPVC), or galvanized steel pipes? Below are four factors to consider to help you choose the best piping material for your home's plumbing system.

Chemical Composition of the Water

What is the chemical composition of your domestic water supply? Do you have soft or hard water? Is your water acidic? Certain chemicals in the water can corrode piping material and shorten the lifespan of your pipes. Before buying water pipes, test your water to determine its chemical composition.

Acidic water can corrode metal pipes; therefore, if your water has low pH, go for PVC, CPVC, or PEX pipes. These are all plastic materials that are resistant to acidic corrosion. These piping materials are also suitable for hard water, which contains minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals can gradually wear the inner lining of metal piping.

Hot vs. Cold Water Supply

Copper is one of the most popular materials for hot water piping. It can tolerate high temperatures and is resistant to corrosion. Copper also has antimicrobial properties, which makes it an ideal piping material for your drinking water supply. However, it is costly. Thus, if you are looking for other piping materials for hot water applications, you can go for PEX or CPVC.

Chlorinated PVC pipes can withstand higher temperatures than PEX piping. While PEX is ideal for applications not exceeding 180 degrees Fahrenheit, CPVC can withstand around 200 degrees. Therefore, the CPVC matches up to the quality of copper piping, but it comes at a more affordable price than copper. However, PEX is a stronger material than PVC, which makes it ideal for cold water plumbing.

Water Pressure in Your Home

Water pressure can affect your choice of piping material. Copper and galvanized steel are vulnerable to high water pressure. The rattling caused by the high velocity of the water can cause leaks at the welded metal joints. If you prefer metal piping over plastic, match the pipe to the maximum water pressure in your home. 

In areas where there is high or fluctuating water pressure, it's advisable to go for plastic pipes. PVC, PEX, and CPVC piping perform well in high-pressure applications. CPVC, which is the sturdiest of the three, is the best choice for high water pressure. The material also conceals the water hammer noise that occurs during pressure fluctuations. 

Piping material determines the durability of your home's plumbing. Therefore, choose the material that is best suited for your applications. For more information, consult your plumber.