Plastic water pipes are becoming more and more common. I find a lot of plastic water pipes while performing home inspections in New Jersey. Plastic has become more and more popular because of its ease to install, time savings, and cost savings over traditional piping materials. Plastic pipes can also be turned at angles with out elbow connectors. Several other advantages of this type of water pipe are its more resistant to freeze breakage, water hammer is usually eliminated, plastic piping does not transfer heat efficiently to the air so it keeps hot water hot longer then traditional metal pipes. This type of piping has actually been around since the early 1980’s but its use has really taken off recently. However copper is sill the predominant materials choice when it comes to interior water supply piping. Copper still accounts for over eighty percent of supply piping in newly built homes. However copper piping has become very expensive to purchase and to install. PEX or plastic piping can be connected and joined by a myriad of methods. The most common type of connection uses a cooper crimp ring and a crimping tool. There are also fittings and connectors that can connect the plastic water pipes to copper. PEX or plastic water pipes have their place but it will be awhile for plastic to overtake copper piping. My own preference if for copper water pipes. Cooper is tried and true and has been around for a very long time. I like seeing the copper properly installed with its its solder joints.