What Type of Pipe is Not Recommended for Water Lines?

Less common forms of pipe that we see used here in the Frisco/McKinney/Plano area are:

• PVC Pipe: PVC pipe is another form of plastic pipe. For the most part, it is the same pipe that is used for your irrigation system. It is relatively inexpensive and often very common in older homes and/or homes with very long water lines where the material cost came into consideration. These sections of pipe come in 20 feet lengths, meaning there is a fitting, glue joint, and weak spot every 20 feet or closer. So, there is a much greater opportunity for failure or human error. Because it is a pipe made of plastic, it cannot be traced and located without considerable difficulty and some creativity. And when the lines are really long, this is even more difficult.
• Poly Tubing: We see various types of poly tubing in neighborhoods, especially in cities north of 380. This is primarily seen in the communities serviced by Mustang Water. This pipe is most often black in color and like other non-metal supply lines, we cannot easily trace the lines. That means we are typically going to need to see water pooling to the surface to locate the leak. Even then, some exploratory excavation and following of the line may be required. This material develops leaks, but it can be spot-repaired with certain fittings that are not always readily available. We are not sure why the new construction plumber would use such a difficult and uncommon product when far better options exist, but it is likely due to a lack of direction by code requirements and/or cost. Unfortunately, you are sort of stuck with the limited repair solutions for this product if you have it, but at least it can be repaired. Our concerns with this product revolve around its limited use but unusually high frequency of required repairs. We fear that this product will have longevity issues as it wears and breaks down over time.
• Quest Piping: Quest pipe is not very common. We can identify this by its light blue color. It was primarily used in the 1980s and early 90s until about 1995. We run into this old Quest pipe every once in a while in the Plano, Richardson, and Garland areas. This product had multiple class action lawsuits and is no longer manufactured. In the early days, we would make spot repairs to these types of lines only to have another leak appear a few months later. We have since determined that we will only do full line replacements if this type of pipe is exposed. It is the best and most appropriate option because the repair cannot be warrantied.
• Duct Tile Pipe: Duct tile pipe is a type of cast iron pipe that usually has some sort of internal and/or external coating that lines the pipe to prevent corrosion. It was used for high-capacity water supplies and primarily in commercial applications where larger diameter pipe (3 inches or larger) was required. This type of pipe is not compatible with the North Texas soils, and therefore leaks can be expected over time. These leaks are very difficult to repair because as the pipe fails, it is hard to find a spot that is suitable on the line for a proper repair to take. Repairs also require some specialized fittings that are not readily available on a typical service truck. If large sections of parking lot and driveway are not in play it is best to install a new water line with a better product that is far more suitable for the area.
• Other Types of Pipes: There are some other materials used that are even rarer than the ones mentioned above. Galvanized pipe is seen in rural applications. Another product that has class action lawsuits is called Kitec Pipe. It was more common in West Texas, but we have seen a few rural homes with this material around the DFW area.