[ansgri]

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]

Isn’t that cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), not PP?

[antonvs]

Not 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]

Rechecked now, PEX became way more accessible it seems. Rehau-style toolkits used to cost several hundreds.

[ansgri]

No, PEX is different. PEX is flexible, sometimes more convenient but requires more specialized and expensive tools to install properly.

[Amezarak]

You can install pex with just a crimping tool that runs around that price.

[RobotToaster]

I prefer copper and not having micro plastics in my water.

[ninalanyon]

If 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.