plastic or copper for cold water supply inside of the house

[cumbriahandyman]

Copper, as you don't need any specialist tools and you will for-ever be able to get replacement parts.

 

[mysteryman]

What a lot of dinosaurs you are!

Plastic is fine as long as it is fitted properly, which applies to any material. You do not in fact need special tools, less so than for bending or soldering copper. I think you will find that most modern houses are plumbed in plastic, with copper only where it is visible.

What's wrong with progress?

 

[picasso]

plastic for me too and copper where is shows.

 

[joe-90]

When you guys say plastic - do you mean with pushfit or compression fittings?

 

[picasso]

not a good idea to put compression fittings where you cannot get to them later so pushfit to go from plastic to copper.

 

[joe-90]

But doesn't pushfit have a limited life? Whereas compression doesn't?

 

[kevplumb]

But doesn't pushfit have a limited life? Whereas compression doesn't?

jeez it gets better

 

[joe-90]

25 years isn't it? (that's the guarantee period)

 

[Nige F]

. I think you will find that most modern houses are plumbed in plastic, with copper only where it is visible.

What's wrong with progress?

Progress in the building industry = Cheapest install + biggest profit . That`s why you get plastic piping - and also the compulsory % of " affordable" housing per site situated in the worst positions

 

[Nige F]

I`ve got Acorn water piping - A Betamax recorder - 8 track in the car - Squariel satelite dish . Sinclair C5 in the shed . Dinosaur, Never I was in the White Heat of technology

 

[CharteredEngineer]

the problem i have found with copper is after about 20 years, the copper goes very brittle and if you try and bend it, it just snaps.

I have yet to find old plastic yet so I don't know if it will be any good or not. They've used plastic on the continent for 35 years+, they don't seem to have any problems

 

[Norcon]

Under screeds plastic is the daddy. No joints and can be replaced easily if needed.

 

[Nige F]

the problem i have found with copper is after about 20 years, the copper goes very brittle and if you try and bend it, it just snaps.

probably c.1976 when there was a copper shortage and C-rap was imported from abroad - it couldn`t be bent when new . Trust me , I`ve totted enough copper of different ages and it`s the only time you`ll find it snapping

 

[hansthebear]

the correct answer is "either"

 

[commercialman]

the problem i have found with copper is after about 20 years, the copper goes very brittle and if you try and bend it, it just snaps.

Since when have you tried to bend copper pipe thats 20 years old? , are you ripping out the copper tube & using it elsewhere? , imported tube can be a nightmare if not bent carefully due to 'riippling' on throat of bent.

As said , copper tube 25 odd years ago would snap when trying to bent it due to tube walls being very thin , it could well be 30 years ago now i just can't remember.

Been to many a job where the kids have thrown things into the airing cupboard & split a plastic joint (cricket bat) , it IS carp , how long are those O rings gonna last?..even now i stand back & admire the copper/ironwork on boiler/plant room installs (mine especially ) , can't say that with plastic.

Time to hang the shovel up before you get any deeper.