Plastics are polymers that usually include petroleum. Because many green initiatives encourage us to reduce our use of petroleum products, plastic plumbing pipe may seem out of place in a list of environment-friendly materials. Compared to the total costs of using copper, however, materials such as polypropylene and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) become much more attractive, with benefits that traditional materials do not offer.
Two polymers currently in use for water supply lines are PEX and polypropylene. PEX resists extreme temperatures and handles most liquids without reaction, which makes it a smart choice for indoor plumbing. Unlike traditional copper pipe, PEX can bend to follow curves and work around corners. Polypropylene provides many of the same benefits as PEX, and is recyclable as well.
One polymer used in plumbing pipe, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), is associated with environmental harm. Water mains made with PVC before 1977 contain high levels of vinyl chloride monomer, a toxic chemical known to be a carcinogen. Newer PVC pipes contain lower levels of harmful compounds, but the manufacturing of PVC still produces dioxins, and the use of PVC in plumbing is generally restricted to drain lines.
Both polyethylene and polypropylene are made without chlorine, bromine, or other harmful chemicals. They are considered benign plastics.
PEX is a form of polyethylene in which the molecules are cross-linked to increase strength and durability without sacrificing flexibility. This makes it easy to install, but difficult or impossible to recycle. Still, PEX offers sufficient environmental benefits to be considered a green alternative to copper pipe. Even as polypropylene pipe becomes more common in the US, PEX will remain a viable option, thanks to its ease of use and low cost.
Since the 1960s, PEX has been used in plumbing and radiant heating systems in Europe. It was first introduced in the US in the 1980s, and its use has grown steadily since then. It’s flexible in more than one way; because PEX handles water at all temperatures from just above boiling to just below freezing, it is suitable for use in home plumbing, service lines, hydronic heating systems, and snowmelting applications.
In home plumbing, PEX can be routed much more easily than copper pipe. This makes remodeling projects far simpler, because it can be worked around other systems such as drain lines, gas pipes, electrical conduit, and so on. Because PEX can curve and bend, it requires fewer joints, which reduces the potential for leaks.
The inside diameter of PEX pipe is relatively small, but it has a low coefficient of drag. This means liquids flow smoothly through it without leaving mineral deposits, and less standing water is left in the pipes, so you can adjust faucet temperatures more quickly. PEX is also quieter than copper pipes.
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