Which one is right for you depends on your building layout and budget. Once you make your choice, you can expect a domestic water system that’s properly designed and built with good quality materials to last 30 – 50 years in your multifamily property.
Learn about these and some common alternatives.
Copper has long been the stalwart of the plumbing industry. Known for its durability, hygienic properties, and ease of use, it has been the standard bearer for decades.
Type matters. Copper prices have been rising drastically in recent years making copper piping a premium option for some communities. Even so, knowing which type of copper is specified for your new domestic water system is critical to ensuring its long-term success.
Here’s why. Different grades of copper pipe, known in the industry as Type K, Type L, and Type M, represent different pipe wall thicknesses for different applications. So, if your property is located in geographies with hard water, you may want to avoid Type M. While it’s code compliant in many locations, it has the thinnest pipe wall of the three and often fails prematurely because the thinner material can’t stand up to the corrosive properties of the water chemistry.
Cross-linked polyethylene, commonly known as PEX tubing, is a flexible plastic pipe that can be rapidly installed and is often sold at a lower price point than copper. When paired with lead-free and engineered polymer fittings, PEX has proven to be the most reliable alternative to copper so long as it is installed and maintained correctly.
Many owners first hear about lining when searching for a less invasive way to remedy their aged or defective domestic water piping. Learn to distinguish the hype from reality.
Pipe lining—coating the inside of pipes with an epoxy resin—is often marketed as a quick, low‑disruption alternative to replacing an aging or defective piping system.
In practice, lining can create new technical, financial, and maintenance problems. It’s not the “easy fix” service providers claim. Particularly for domestic water pipes, pipe lining can pose serious risks to health and infrastructure.
