Plumbing is one of those behind-the-scenes essentials that brings your new manufactured home to life, especially when you’re setting up on your own land. At Braustin Homes, we’re here to help you find the right home for your needs-and to make sure you feel confident about every step, including plumbing.
If you’re setting up your home on new land, you’ll likely need to add water lines and get your plumbing system connected. In manufactured homes, most of the plumbing runs beneath the floor, making installation and future maintenance a bit simpler compared to site-built homes. The system is designed for easy access and efficient setup, so you can get settled in sooner.
When it comes to plumbing materials, things have come a long way. Today, you’ll commonly find two main options: PVC and PEX. Both are popular for their affordability, durability, and resistance to corrosion. PEX, in particular, is flexible and easy to install, while PVC is widely available and budget-friendly. Either choice can give you years of reliable service, helping your home run smoothly for the long haul.
If you’re curious about your options, you can stop by our showrooms in San Antonio or Odessa to see our model homes up close and chat with our friendly team. We’re here to answer your questions, walk you through the latest features, and help you find the perfect home-right down to the pipes that keep everything flowing.
Plastic Pipes
When it comes to setting up plumbing in your manufactured home, plastic pipes have become the go-to choice for good reason. One of the biggest challenges in plumbing is finding pipes that can handle the ups and downs of weather-extreme heat and cold can be tough on any material. Plastic pipes are popular because they’re affordable, easy to install, and resistant to rust and corrosion, but they do have some temperature limitations. Very hot water can damage some plastic pipes, and freezing temperatures can cause water inside to expand and potentially crack the pipe. Even so, plastic remains a favorite in the industry because it’s so versatile and cost-effective, especially as technology has improved over the years.
Today, you’ll most often see three main types of plastic pipes in new homes: PVC, CPVC, and PEX.
- PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): PVC pipes are widely used for main water lines, like those running to sinks, toilets, and showers. They’re tough against rust and corrosion and can handle high water pressure. However, they don’t do well with very hot water-excessive heat can warp the pipe and potentially release chemicals into the water. On the plus side, PVC is easy to find, affordable, and even recyclable at the end of its long life, which can be up to 70 years with good care.
- CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride): CPVC is similar to PVC but is treated to handle higher temperatures, making it a better choice for hot water lines. It’s often used in both homes and industrial settings. While CPVC is durable and resists many chemicals, it’s more rigid, which means installation can take a bit more time and care. Like PVC, it can be prone to cracking in extreme cold.
- PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene): PEX is loved by plumbers for its flexibility-it can weave through tight spaces and around corners with ease, which makes installation quick and straightforward. It’s great for both hot and cold water lines and is highly resistant to freezing and bursting. PEX can last 40-50 years and is compatible with other pipe materials like copper. However, it’s usually a bit more expensive than PVC and is not as easily recycled.
PEX vs PVC, what’s the difference?
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- Longevity: PEX can last almost as long as copper (40-50 years), PVC can last as long as 70 years if they are well-maintained.
- Accessibility: PVC is readily available in nearly every hardware store and is less expensive than PEX in most cases, but PVC doesn’t offer the flexibility of PEX.
- Sustainability: Many components of PVC are recyclable near their end life, which isn’t the case with PEX. PEX is known for flexibility and more easily adjustable in terms of shapes and size. PEX is also more compatible with other types of pipes like copper because of corrosion resistance.
No matter which type you choose, plastic pipes offer a practical, long-lasting solution for your home’s plumbing needs. If you’re unsure which is best for your situation, our team at Braustin Homes is always happy to walk you through the options and help you make the right choice for your new home.
If you are ready to set up your home and are looking for the right manufactured home, contact us at Braustin Homes and set up a free consultation today.
