Commercial Plumbing Columbine

Copper is not the only option for commercial plumbing. Many materials serve well in this application, including PEX, PVC, CPVC, and good old-fashioned steel. Each has its place and reason for being chosen, and Pipe Down believes that copper is a good and often an ideal choice. It is nearly ductile, so it can be worked into whatever shape is required; it can take a heat and cool in a way that allows it to settle; it is corrosion-resistant, so it lasts a long time; and it is almost always recyclable, yielding fresh metal for whatever applications the next copper order might entail.

The job of a commercial plumber can be challenging because of the combination of physical and mental demands that it places on a person. Working in large buildings, dealing with complex plumbing systems, and requiring a deep understanding of codes and blueprints make the job quite demanding. On top of that, troubleshooting and repairing a wide range of issues—sometimes in less-than-ideal conditions and during non-standard hours—add to the challenge. If these factors don't lead a person to find the work impossible, then the strong problem-solving, attention-to-detail, and independent-and-team-oriented skills equally required by the job certainly will. Many still find the work rewarding due to the good pay and the stable demand for it.

Indeed, PEX has a place in the world of commercial plumbing. This flexible pipe has many desirable traits. It resists scale. It resists chlorine. It resists a lot of stuff when it comes to temperature. So you could run it through caverns, use it to make waterfalls, pipe it to your next polar bear plunge, and it would do just fine. The real reason PEX is such a good choice for plumbing in the commercial world, though, is that it is cost-effective and easier to handle. Yes, it can be thrown into the mix for any plumbing situation, "circular" or otherwise. But even if commercial plumbing is a $40 billion-a-year industry, we should also consider the places and spaces where PEX plays nicely, plumbing-wise and profit-wise.

On the whole, commercial plumbing pays more than its residential counterpart, and for good reason. Projects in the commercial realm, as a rule, are both larger and more complex than the kinds of undertakings that occur in residences. They may involve systems that are far more advanced and quite a bit larger than anything you’d find in a house. Sticking to the rules and doing everything by the book is a must. If a system fails, the results can be catastrophic—something that no plumbing professional wants to be responsible for. And so: you want the pay? You better know your stuff.

Several factors are pushing plumbers to abandon copper as a material of choice. First is the escalating price of copper. These days, it simply costs too much to use copper. Second, when copper is used in plumbing, its installation requires a labor force that must possess several specific skills, mainly soldering and working with torches. Third, for those who still champion copper, there is the unfortunate issue of corrosion and copper's tendency to develop pinhole leaks, especially in areas with acidic water. Working in copper, then, is becoming less prevalent and is more often seen in upscale projects where cost is not such a huge determinant of what materials to use.

The common types of pipes used in Columbine's commercial plumbing include copper pipes, famous for their long-lasting nature and corrosion resistance; PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipes, known for being easily installed and quite flexible; and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipes, which are often used to handle drainage and vent systems. Also found in certain applications are pipes made from stainless steel, a super-strong material that resists rust and other types of corrosion, and that can also take high-pressure and high-temperature situations in stride. Finally, for special purposes like removing waste and soil, you might just find a pipe made from cast iron, which can muffle sound better than any other plumbing material.

There are a number of reasons why some plumbers are not entirely sold on PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) plumbing. Although it is increasingly popular due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, some plumbers are not completely comfortable with using PEX because they perceive it as being less durable than copper or even PVC—traditional materials with a proven track record. In fact, when damages do occur, PEX doesn't perform as well as other materials in plumbing emergencies. And when you get into it, PEX has an almosttoo-good-to-be-true quality; several interviews with PEX manufacturers have led to concerns over the unrevealed nature of the material's longevity. And when longevity is your concern, you don't necessarily want to be in the dark. Finally, in regions that have very strict plumbing codes or standards, PEX does not seem to be a material of choice among inspectors.

In Columbine, it is not against the law to have copper plumbing. As a matter of fact, using copper in plumbing is commonplace. Its durability, reliability, and safety make it a very good choice for what is known to be a "drinking water system" as opposed to a "non-potable water system." But since it seems that some local codes may have been ignored, it might be a good idea to check with a local plumbing professional to see whether what those professionals are doing is aboveboard.

In Columbine, quite a few plumbers choose PEX over copper. It has flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and resistance to corrosion that make it a strong contender for the plumbers' project of the moment. Easy installation and fewer fittings mean PEX has even less potential for leaks than the traditional copper pipes it is now replacing in many homes. "Some of us still like copper, and there's a good reason for that," says Ron Brown, an instructor at the Schematic Plumbing School of Trades. "But sometimes PEX is just the right pipe for the job!"

California prohibited the use of PEX piping mostly because of worries about its possible adverse effects on people's health and the environment. Detractors questioned the safety of the chemicals used to make PEX pipes, especially in relation to how much of those chemicals might seep into drinking water. They also raised concerns about what happens to PEX when it is no longer in use. Elected officials and institutions responsible for making decisions about materials used in construction also took a look at how well PEX stands up to the tests of time and various environmental extremes when compared to other types of plumbing materials. Until PEX was given the all-clear, California had decided to err on the side of caution.