Ask the Builder: Which Water Lines Are Right for Your Home?

Each type of water pipe has its pros and cons.
Ask the Builder: Which Water Lines Are Right for Your Home?
These are your top choices for pipes that deliver water to the faucets in your home. Pictured, top to bottom, are CPVC, PEX, and copper pipe. Tim Carter/Tribune Content Agency/TNS
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I’ve been a master plumber since age 29. I know, it might seem odd to you that a builder is also a plumber. I was attracted to plumbing for several reasons. Designing a plumbing system is a fun and challenging three-dimensional puzzle. I still draw 3D riser diagrams for homeowners and builders. The drawings allow them to obtain plumbing permits, and it keeps my tiny gray cells active.

Water lines are not as complicated as drain, waste, and vent lines. That said, you can have volume and pressure problems if you don’t design water systems correctly. A year ago, I did an extensive long-distance consultation with a woman. Her plumber tried to supply a luxury shower with 1/2-inch diameter PEX hot and cold water lines. Water dribbled from the body sprays when the shower head was turned on. It was a horrible hot mess.

Tim Carter
Tim Carter
Author
Tim Carter is the founder of AsktheBuilder.com. He's an amateur radio operator and enjoys sending Morse code sitting at an actual telegrapher's desk. Carter lives in central New Hampshire with his wife, Kathy, and their dog, Willow. Subscribe to his FREE newsletter at AsktheBuilder.com. He now does livestreaming video M-F at 4 PM Eastern Time at youtube.com/askthebuilder. (C)2022 Tim Carter. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.