Considering the problems with local water - are you knowledgeable about pipes? (Phoenix: house)

[Voebe]

I need to have some valves/pipes replaced under a bathroom sink. And I'm not crazy about the fact that most of the plumbers I've talked to say they'd use plastic pipes. (One said braided steel over some kind of rubber interior.) With metal, at least you can use something to clean out the mineral build-up here in metro Phoenix, right?

It just makes me crazy that everything is plastic. The current steel pipes are about 30 years old, and the plumbers tell me that the new ones wouldn't last anywhere near that long.

[locolife]

Originally Posted by Voebe

I need to have some valves/pipes replaced under a bathroom sink. And I'm not crazy about the fact that most of the plumbers I've talked to say they'd use plastic pipes. (One said braided steel over some kind of rubber interior.) With metal, at least you can use something to clean out the mineral build-up here in metro Phoenix, right?

It just makes me crazy that everything is plastic. The current steel pipes are about 30 years old, and the plumbers tell me that the new ones wouldn't last anywhere near that long.

You can install a water softener to prevent mineral buildup, but avoiding value engineered products in this day and age is impossible. Nothing is built to last and it costs more to repair than replace. As a perfect example were on our 2nd dryer in 4 years, electronic boards fail and cost more to repair than a new one. Yet my father is still running the same 100% mechanical dryer he’s had since 1990.

[Ponderosa]

PEX (cross linked polyethylene) is the rage today and for good reason. It's better than copper. It will not get any build up of minerals and will not develop pin holes which is a problem in the thin copper used for supply tubing. A downside though is the wall thickness on PEX supply tubing used for sinks can really restrict the flow which you might find annoying if you are used to better flowing alternatives like copper and stainless braided lines.

Valves are always a problem. The best thing to do is to "exercise" them now and then to keep them moving freely. Even then, they tend to get corroded and non functional after a while.

[DougStark]

Excellent info and advice, Ponderosa ^^^^ Agree.

[broncosilly]

I just did another entire house with "thick walled" copper pipe. I always use thick walled. Then it was exterior woven feed hoses to the facets.


Doesn't make me right, it's just the way I do things. And yep......Ponderosa is spot on about those valves.

[teddyearp]

Ponderosa is right, pex pipe will not build up deposits and is the way to go. And as far as your under sink valves are concerned, get 90 degree ball style (lever handle) valve instead of the gate style (wheel handle) valves. And your best bet for supply lines are the rubber with stainless steel braid.

[Voebe]

Meant to come back and correct myself. I misunderstood - or perhaps the plumbers were just being lazy about clarity. They were talking about the supply lines leading in, not the drain pipes leading out.

Still, I tend to prefer anything other than plastic.

[DetroitN8V]

PEX is what you want. Nothing to be afraid of.