CPVC is the most popular water supply piping, with PEX gaining market share, and PVC is the dominant drain (DWV) pipe.

Water Supply

Copper is still used, but very rarely. 

CPVC (cream-color plastic) is the most popular water supply pipe.

PEX (red, blue, white, or black flexible plastic) often installed with a central manifold (shown above) and especially popular for repiping older homes.

PVC (white plastic) used for water service piping to house (not inside), and other exterior locations.

Drain (DWV)

ABS (black plastic) continues to be used, more popular in western states.

PVC (white plastic) is most the common DWV pipe.

    Looking for the pipes used in a different era? Click below for the one you want.
1920s  1930s 1940s 1950s  1960s  1970s  1980s  1990s 2000s

    See our blog post for What do the ABS, PVC, CPVC, PB, and PEX plumbing pipe names mean? for the chemical composition behind all those acronyms. Also, you might want to read What is the difference between water pipe and sewage (waste) pipe? and Are plastic pipes (PVC, CPVC, and PEX) safe for drinking water?

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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about PLUMBING PIPES:

ABS Pipe

• What is the average life expectancy of ABS pipe?

• What is the difference between PVC and ABS plumbing pipe?

Cast Iron Pipe 

• What is the average life expectancy of cast iron pipe?

• How can I tell if I have cast iron pipes in my house? 

Copper Pipe 

• What is the average life expectancy of copper pipe?

• Should I use a dielectric union or brass nipple to connect copper tubing and galvanized steel pipe?

• What problems are caused by connecting copper pipe/tubing directly to galvanized steel pipe?  

CPVC Pipe 

• What is the average life expectancy of CPVC pipe?

• Can you connect CPVC pipe directly to a gas water heater?   

Galvanized Steel Pipe 

• What is the average life expectancy of galvanized steel pipe?

• Why is old galvanized steel water pipe a problem for homebuyers?

• What is a galvanized nipple? 

• Should I buy a house with galvanized steel water pipes? 

• Can galvanized steel pipe still be used for new water lines in a house?  

Orangeburg (bituminous fiber) Pipe 

• What is the average life expectancy of Orangeburg (bituminous fiber) pipe? 

• Why is Orangeburg sewer pipe a problem and how do I know if I have it?

PEX Pipe

• What is the average life expectancy of PEX pipe? 

• Can PEX pipe be installed outside?  

• Is PEX pipe freeze resistant?

PB (Polybutylene) Pipe 

• What does polybutylene pipe look like? Why is it a problem? 

• Does a "QEST" brand mark on pipe mean that it is polybutylene (PB)?

PVC Pipe 

• What is the average life expectancy of PVC pipe? 

• Why is sunlight exposure bad for PVC pipe? 

• Why can't PVC be used for water pipe inside a house? 

• What is the difference between green and white sewer drain pipes? 

     Visit our PLUMBING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.