Plumbing Copper vs Plastic

[toughguy]

I am looking at buying a new house and several builders are now using plastic in place of copper supply lines due to the price of copper. Will the plastic hold up as long as copper? I thought it was always code that you had to use copper. Did the county/state cave under pressure from builders to save $$$ leaving home owners stuck with inferior plumbing?

[Eric Wettschreck]

Copper is more expensive but it's actually better for you. Many bacteria found in water, can't survive in copper piping. If you have your own well I would go copper no question.

In many cities plastic is accepted. I don't know a builder that would intentionally by-pass code and stay in business very long.

Plastic vs. metal. Plastic is cheaper but metal will last longer and kill the buggies.

[MNice]

There are multiple plastics that have been in the MN state plumbing code for years. The only one i would stay away from is polybutylene, the new PEX piping have been installed for a long time with out any problems.

[dakotakid31]

PEX has been used over in Europe for many years. But boiler is right on. only copper is anti-microibal. back in the day they thought galv. pipe was a good idea. if you cut them today you can see why they were a very bad idea, like a clogged artiery and nasty. the price of copper has came down a little.