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Polypropylene is great: it revolutionized residential plumbing, at least in countries that adopted it (apparently not the US). With PP tubes you can weld any co
by ansgri 6mo ago
Polypropylene is great: it revolutionized residential plumbing, at least in countries that adopted it (apparently not the US). With PP tubes you can weld any complex plumbing with like $50 worth of tools and minimum skills. The only drawback is significant thermal expansion, but they’re flexible enough that they won’t break even if you forget to design around that.
- stephen_g 6mo agoIsn’t that cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), not PP?
- ansgri 6mo agoNo, PEX is different. PEX is flexible, sometimes more convenient but requires more specialized and expensive tools to install properly.
- Amezarak 6mo agoYou can install pex with just a crimping tool that runs around that price.
- antonvs 6mo agoNot sure what the other comment is referring to, but you’re right that PEX is much more flexible than PP. It’s commonly used in the US for residential plumbing, and is easier and quicker to install than PP, which is a big reason PP hasn’t replaced it (in the US).
- ansgri 6mo agoRechecked now, PEX became way more accessible it seems. Rehau-style toolkits used to cost several hundreds.
- RobotToaster 6mo agoI prefer copper and not having micro plastics in my water.
- ninalanyon 6mo agoIf the water main was installed in recent decades it might well be PVC so having copper instead of polythene in your house won't make a meaningful difference.