Justin's Plumbing LLC

In many professionals’ opinion, copper rules in most situations (unless you have low pH or aggressive water)! Over time, the plastic can sometimes sag and possibly get brittle. If it needs to be repaired or altered in any way, the pipe will have to be glued and you will have no water until it dries. Copper – you can solder, turn it on, test it and know that all is well. Any plastic to metal connection is weak, such as where the water heater connection is made. Additionally, mice and rats love many plastics. They chew on it to keep their teeth from growing through their lower jaw.

It is a JOB. A couple of suggestions… while you’re at it replace the waste and overflow and if possible the tub/shower faucet. Second, you can get tub surrounds in two pieces that will fit through doors and three (I like the Sterling brand surrounds), American Standard makes an Americast tub that has the properties of a cast iron – but without the weight. I personally prefer Kohler cast iron over Americast as I think it’s more durable. By the way, you can break out the old cast tub with a sledge hammer and cut up a metal tub with a Sawzall.

Most likely you have galvanized pipes that have rusted. There is no way to clean rust out of old galvanized pipes. Most dishwashers have a screen where the water connects to the machine. You access it through the lower front panel. Another solution would be to put a filter on just the hot water pipe to the dishwasher. If you replace the pipe – use copper – and connect to the old galvanized with a dialectic union.