Why Homeowners Are Choosing Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipes More Often
Plumbers are increasingly using cross-linked polyethylene for residential plumbing jobs. Plumbers like that cross-linked polyethylene is lightweight and does not need to be sweated like copper pipes. But it's not just plumbers who benefit from the use of cross-linked polyethylene. Homeowners, too, enjoy the following benefits when they have their homes re-plumbing with cross-linked polyethylene.
It's is more affordable
It is no secret that plumbing work is expensive. Historically, this has made sense. Copper is really expensive, and pipes were mostly made from copper for a long time. Working with copper is also time-consuming, so plumbers need to charge a significant amount for the time they spend. Cross-linked polyethylene, by comparison, costs a small fraction of the price of copper. It can be mass-produced very quickly in factories. It also takes plumbers a lot less time to install cross-linked polyethylene pipes than copper pipes. So, customers pay for fewer labor hours, resulting in a much smaller bill.
It can be installed later in the home building process
When you are having a new home built or undergoing an extensive remodeling project, getting all of the contractors to show up in the right order can be tough. Certain parts of the project have to be done before others, which can lead to some scheduling conflicts. Historically, pipes had to be put in place before drywall. With cross-linked polyethylene, however, there is more flexibility. Since cross-linked polyethylene can be fed behind walls and bent around corners, it can be installed at a later stage in the building process, if needed. Being able to schedule the plumbing more flexibly can prevent a lot of scheduling headaches and make it easier for you to get your home building or remodeling project completed on schedule.
It is color-coded
At some point during your homeownership, you might need to turn off the water to a certain pipe or tell a plumber what pipe you're having an issue with. It can be hard to tell which pipes are which when they are all copper or white PVC. But cross-linked polyethylene pipes are color-coded. Hot water pipes are red, and cold water pipes are blue. This makes it easier to tell which pipe you're dealing with or talking about.
Cross-linked polyethylene is many plumbers' preferred material these days, and homeowners who choose it quickly find that they, too, prefer it. Ask your plumber for a quote for cross-linked polyethylene pipes and another for copper pipes, and you'll find that cost alone is a reason to go with cross-linked polyethylene.
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