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Building a New Home? Don't Take Plumbing for Granted by: ARA Content Today there are alternatives to metallic systems (ARA) - Building a new home means having choices and making decisions. So if you're planning to build a new home, be prepared to spend an endless number of hours looking at options and making final selections. When it comes to cabinets, faucets, light fixtures and floor coverings, everyone expects a lot of choices -- different styles, colors, finishes, price ranges, etc. Even windows come in different shapes, sizes and energy efficiencies. Yet, when it comes to something as important as the home's plumbing, most people don't ask any questions. They assume they don't have a choice. For many generations, metal (in the form of galvanized steel or copper) was the only material available. Look in the basement of any home built before the Kennedy era and it's unlikely you'll see anything but metallic pipes. Today is a different story as a host of alternative materials -- many of which are plastic -- now garner significant market shares. Why has plastic gained such popularity? Metal has demonstrated a number of pitfalls through the years that have been documented by numerous studies and lawsuits. Pinhole leaks and premature system failures, caused by metal's natural tendency to pit, corrode and scale, have opened the door for more reliable, virtually maintenance-free systems. Of these, CPVC (post-chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) plumbing systems, which have 40 years of proven experience, are the most popular. CPVC pipe and fittings, such as those used in FlowGuard Gold CPVC plumbing systems, offer a number of benefits over metallic systems. Primarily, they never pit, scale or corrode, which eliminates the risk of premature failures and costly re-piping, in addition to possible property damage. FlowGuard Gold CPVC systems are also highly energy efficient with natural insulating properties that keep hot water hotter and cold water colder than metallic systems. In addition, condensation, which is a common problem with metallic pipes that can cause drip damage to walls and foundation, is virtually eliminated. As water quality becomes a significant concern in this country, CPVC piping has gained high marks for its ability to maintain water quality. There is no leaching or metal contamination into the water supply, so there are no related health concerns. And without pitting or corrosion, CPVC systems are able to maintain full water carrying capacity throughout their entire life. If you've ever looked inside a piece of old copper pipe, you've probably seen a thick layer of hard minerals. These minerals can dramatically reduce the diameter of the pipe, which reduces water flow and water pressure, and can inhibit the efficiency of many water-using appliances. Eventually, homeowners with corroded pipes must completely re-pipe their home at an average cost of $'6
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