The Complete Guide to Pipes & Fittings

Complete Guide 1010 words

Created by Ryan PietrzakIllinois Licensed Plumber · In the plumbing industry since 2009

Updated February 23, 2026

What This Guide Covers

Everything you need to know about Pipes & Fittings — from choosing the right type and buying smart, to installation, ongoing maintenance, and understanding costs.

Types of Pipes & Fittings

There are 4 main types of Pipes & Fittings to choose from:

Copper Piping$2.00 – $8.00/ft

The traditional standard for residential plumbing. Durable, bacteriostatic, and long-lasting. Available in rigid and flexible (soft) forms.

PEX Piping$0.40 – $1.50/ft

Cross-linked polyethylene tubing that is flexible, freeze-resistant, and easy to install. The most popular choice for modern residential plumbing.

Push-Fit Fittings$3 – $15 per fitting

No-solder, no-crimp connectors that push onto copper, PEX, or CPVC pipe. Ideal for repairs and DIY projects where speed and simplicity matter.

PVC & CPVC Piping$0.30 – $2.00/ft

PVC for drain-waste-vent (DWV) and cold water; CPVC rated for hot water up to 200°F. Lightweight, affordable, and chemical resistant.

View all Pipes & Fittings types →

Buying Guide

PVC (White)

The most common residential DWV material. Schedule 40 is standard. Lightweight, corrosion-proof, easy to cut and join with solvent cement. Requires purple primer before cement in most jurisdictions. Quiet sound dampening is poor -- water flowing through PVC is audible through walls.

ABS (Black)

Similar to PVC but single-step cement (no primer needed). Common in western US and Canada. Cannot be mixed with PVC without a transition fitting. Slightly more brittle than PVC in cold temperatures. Performance and lifespan are comparable to PVC.

Cast Iron

The original DWV material. Extremely quiet -- water noise is absorbed by the dense metal. Very heavy. Joins with no-hub couplings and band clamps. Corrodes from inside over 50-80 years, eventually developing holes and blockages. Found in pre-1980 homes. Replacement with PVC is common during renovations.

Buying Tips

PVC is the standard choice for new residential DWV work in most areas.
If noise matters (drains running through bedroom walls), consider cast iron for those specific runs.
Never mix PVC and ABS with solvent cement. Use a mechanical transition coupling.
Schedule 40 is standard. Schedule 20 (thin-wall) is for non-structural drain applications only.

View all Pipes & Fittings buying guides →

Installation

PEX Installation Methods

A practical guide to PEX crimp, clamp, and expansion connection methods for residential plumbing.

Easy to Intermediate $50-$150 for tools

Push-Fit Fitting Installation

How to use push-fit (SharkBite style) fittings for quick plumbing connections and repairs.

Easy $5-$15 per fitting

PVC & ABS Drain Pipe Assembly

How to cut, prime, and cement PVC and ABS drain pipes for reliable waste connections.

Easy $15-$40 materials per repair

Soldering Copper Pipe

How to sweat copper joints for reliable, leak-free water supply connections.

Intermediate $30-$60 for tools and supplies

View all Pipes & Fittings installation guides →

Maintenance

Corrosion & Water Quality Monitoring

How to identify and address pipe corrosion caused by water chemistry, and when to take action.

Drain Line Maintenance

How to keep your drain lines flowing freely and prevent clogs before they happen.

Freeze Prevention & Thawing Pipes

How to protect your pipes from freezing and safely thaw them if they do freeze.

Leak Detection & Prevention

How to find hidden leaks in your plumbing system and prevent them before they cause water damage.

View all Pipes & Fittings maintenance guides →

Costs

Emergency Plumbing Repair Costs

What emergency plumbing calls actually cost and how to minimize the financial damage.

$200-$1,000+ for emergency service

Fitting & Connection Costs

What pipe fittings and connections cost by type -- push-fit, crimp, solder, and compression.

$0.50-$20 per fitting depending on type

Pipe Costs by Material

What different pipe materials cost per linear foot -- PEX, copper, CPVC, PVC, and cast iron.

$0.50-$15+ per linear foot depending on material

Whole-House Repipe Costs

What a full home repipe costs for different pipe materials, house sizes, and project scopes.

$4,000-$15,000+ depending on material and house size

View all Pipes & Fittings cost guides →

Top Pipes & Fittings Brands

View all Pipes & Fittings brands →

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of pipes & fittings are available?

There are 4 main types: Copper Piping, PEX Piping, Push-Fit Fittings, PVC & CPVC Piping.

What are the best pipes & fittings brands?

Top brands include Apollo, BrassCraft, Canplas, Charlotte Pipe.

Can I install pipes & fittings myself?

Some pipes & fittings installations are DIY-friendly, while others require a licensed plumber. Check the difficulty rating of each installation guide.