As residents of San Diego and the surrounding areas, you realize how important the piping system of your house is when it’s not functioning properly. Corroded or broken piping can cause widespread, expensive damage to repair–or replace. The materials that make up your pipes are just as important as their function. The safety to your family and longevity of your piping depend on which kind you choose to install in your home.

Metal (Stainless and Galvanized Steel and Copper)

One of the rarest to obtain and most costly of plumbing materials, stainless steel piping is used in saltwater environments to prevent the rusting that would occur with various other metal pipes. In many cases, copper piping is a sufficient substitute. Although expensive to install, it’s considered the top-of-the-line and most used choice of piping materials in residences. Copper has extremely anti-corrosive properties and longevity; it’s been used for well over fifty years and still functions adequately–and always under high water temperatures. When delivering water to the home, copper piping doesn’t release harmful agents into the water, so it’s safe to use for drinking and cooking water. At one time used more frequently, galvanized (to prevent corrosion) steel is being phased out in favor of PEX piping.

PEX

Replacing old piping completely? Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) is ideal. The same size as copper piping, PEX is easily manipulated around previously installed walls and other obstacles and requires no soldering at pipe joints. Because PEX is sturdy plastic, it doesn’t bend out of shape under extremely hot water temperatures. Newer versions of PEX are not thought to carry the same health concerns of possibly releasing the harmful substance methyl tertiary butyl ether (found in the manufacture of this piping) into water flowing through the pipes–as might have been the case with older piping systems.

CPVC

Unlike PVC, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride piping is more pliable and can hold up under both cold and hot water temperatures; its pipe diameter is exactly that of copper, widening its functionality. The water flowing through installed CPVC isn’t dangerous to drink or cook with because the piping composition material has been extra chlorinated. If you’re attempting installation yourself without the aid of a professional plumber, CPVC is considered the best; connecting the individual sections does not call for any specialized technique or tool.

If you live in San Diego or the surrounding area and are considering replacing or retrofitting your current piping system, the plumbing specialists at 1-800-anytyme are certified and trained to assist you  24-7 with any situation you might face. Call us today at  (760) 477-0072!

Locations We Service:

Bonsall, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Clairemont, College Area, Del Mar, Downtown, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, La Costa, La Jolla, Leucadia, Mira Mesa, Miramar, Mission Valley Normal Heights, North Park, Ocean Beach, Oceanside, Olivenhain, Pacific Beach, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Penasquitos, Rancho Santa Fe, Rainbow, Ramona, San Diego, San Luis, San Marcos, Scripps Ranch, Serra Mesa, Solana Beach, Tierresanta, University City, Valley Center, Vista