Home Water Line Types: Choosing the Right Pipes for Your Plumbing

The main water line types are galvanized (pre-1960s, prone to lead contamination), copper (1960s-70s, develops pinhole leaks), PVC/CPVC (budget option, becomes brittle), and PEX (modern standard, most durable and safe).

Think about this: all the water in your home is brought to you by pipes. Simple concept. Another age-old truth that holds true in our world today: out of sight, out of mind. We typically don’t put much thought into what our piping looks like, what condition it’s in, or what material it’s made of until it starts causing problems. Let’s take a quick look at the most common types of water lines in homes today, how they can affect your home, and when it’s best to get those lines replaced.

Galvanized Pipe

Up until the 1960’s, galvanized iron piping was the most widely used material for water supply lines in homes across the United States. If you see metallic gray piping in your home, chances are you have galvanized water lines. The galvanization process produced incredibly strong piping initially, but led to future issues in homes. As this material corrodes, lead and rust are introduced to your water throughout your home, which poses a great risk to your family’s health. The EPA’s website features an awesome PDF breaking down the dangers of lead in plumbing systems. The corrosion of galvanized lines also leads to the damage and clogging of valuable fixtures and vital emergency shut-offs when rust breaks off from the interior of the pipe and is carried down the line, which greatly limits the water flow and your experience at the faucet.

Copper Pipe

In the 60’s and 70’s, most new construction plumbing was done with copper piping, which was introduced as the new, much safer way to deliver water. Copper’s strong point is that it does not release dangerous contaminants and chemicals into the water supply over time. However, it has proved to be extremely susceptible to acidic water, aggressive municipal water, and electrolysis, which all lead to decomposition of the piping. You can check out a report on copper pinhole failures here. You may notice green or white corrosive marks on piping, especially where it contacts other metals such as strapping and fasteners, eventually resulting in pinhole leaks throughout the home.

PVC/CPVC

Because copper is so expensive, an alternative material was created for water distribution, known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride)and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride). You’ll recognize these water lines by their white or yellow plastic hue. This plastic piping could be manufactured for pennies on the dollar compared to copper, and became a favorite material for pinched budgets. While it avoids the dangerous corrosive components of galvanized and copper, it becomes very brittle over time with temperature changes, and freezing temperatures almost always result in broken pipes. The plumbing industry has primarily moved away from PVC for water supply, but it remains the most efficient material for drains, venting, and wastewater lines.

The Solution Type A Expansion PEX

Now the reigning champion of water supply systems around the world, Expansion PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has become the go-to for both new homes and plumbing replacements in existing structures. PEX contains no corrosive components and boasts the ability to expand and contract without cracking or bursting, making it virtually weather-proof.

If you’ve been fighting pipe leaks, poor water flow, or bad water quality, it’s probably time to consider replacing your old piping with Expansion PEX. At Tennessee Standard Plumbing, we have mastered a cutting-edge process for removing old water lines and replacing them with new Expansion PEX from the water meter all the way to every fixture in your home, all with minimal disturbance to sheet rock, the structure of the home, and most importantly, your life.

If you’d like to know what this would look like for your home, give us a call – our re-pipe specialists are ready to create a custom quote with multiple options to get your home’s plumbing systems up to date and leak-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know what type of water lines I have in my home?

Galvanized pipes appear metallic gray and were common before the 1960s. Copper pipes have a distinctive copper/bronze color and were used from the 1960s- 70s. PVC/CPVC pipes are made of white or yellow plastic. PEX pipes are flexible, colored plastic tubing. You can check exposed pipes in your basement, crawl space, or under sinks to identify your pipe material.

Are galvanized water pipes dangerous?

Yes, galvanized pipes pose health risks as they age. As the zinc coating deteriorates, the iron underneath corrodes, releasing lead and rust into your water supply.

Why do copper pipes develop leaks?

Copper pipes are susceptible to acidic water, aggressive municipal water treatments, and electrolysis when in contact with other metals. These factors cause the copper to corrode, creating pinhole leaks over time. You may notice green or white corrosive marks on copper pipes, especially where they contact metal strapping or fasteners.

What is the main problem with PVC and CPVC water lines?

PVC and CPVC pipes become increasingly brittle over time due to temperature fluctuations. Freezing temperatures almost always result in broken pipes.

Why is PEX the best choice for water lines?

PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) has become the global standard for water supply systems because it resists corrosion, doesn’t leach contaminants, handles temperature changes well, and is more affordable than copper.