Pipe & Tubing
Pipe and tubing carries water, waste, gas, and process fluids through residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. This category covers PEX tubing, copper tubing, CPVC pipe in copper tube size and schedule dimensions, PVC pipe, steel pipe, and specialty pipe, so each line can be matched to its service, operating pressure, and temperature. Plumbing pipe and tubing is organized by material, size, and wall rating, with sizes that include 1/2 in. black iron pipe and 1 in. galvanized pipe in 20 ft lengths. Each material connects with its own joining method, from solvent cement and solder to crimp, press, and threaded fittings, and pairs with matching pipe installation supplies to complete a code-compliant run from the main to the fixture.
Pipe and Tubing Products
These plumbing piping products are grouped by material, with the dimension standard, wall rating, and joining method that determine fit.
PEX Tubing
PEX is cross-linked polyethylene tubing for hot and cold water distribution and radiant heating. Straight lengths suit short or exposed runs; coils allow long pulls with fewer joints. PEX connects with crimp, clamp, expansion, or press fittings matched to PEX-A or PEX-B.
Copper Tubing
Copper tubing is graded by wall thickness: Type K is thickest, Type L is mid-weight, and Type M is thinnest. Hard straight lengths suit exposed runs; soft coils bend around obstructions. Joints are soldered with solder and flux, pressed, or made with compression or flare fittings.
CPVC Pipe and CPVC CTS Pipe
CPVC is rated for hot and cold water. CPVC CTS pipe follows copper tube size outside diameters, while schedule CPVC follows nominal pipe size. The two take different fittings and are not interchangeable. Both join with solvent cement and, where required, primer from cements and primers.
PVC Pipe
PVC pipe serves cold water pressure lines, irrigation, and drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems. At the same nominal size, Schedule 80 has a thicker wall and higher pressure rating than Schedule 40. DWV-only PVC is non-pressure pipe.
Steel Pipe
Steel pipe includes 1/2 in. black iron pipe and 1 in. galvanized pipe in 20 ft lengths. Black steel is a common commercial plumbing pipe for gas, fire protection, and hydronic lines where code permits. Galvanized pipe carries a zinc coating that slows corrosion.
Pipe and Specialty Pipe & Tubing
These groups cover plumbing pipe products outside the material lines above. Material, size standard, and pressure rating vary by item, so confirm each listing against the service requirements before ordering.
Where Pipe and Tubing Installs in Plumbing Piping Systems
Each service in plumbing piping systems calls for a pipe rated for its pressure, temperature, and fluid.
Hot and Cold Water Supply
PEX, copper, and CPVC are common for hot and cold potable water distribution when their temperature and pressure ratings and local code permit. PVC pressure pipe is generally limited to cold water service. Printed pipe markings list the material, size, pressure rating, and standards needed to confirm suitability.
Drain, Waste, and Vent
DWV systems drain by gravity at low pressure, so they use pipes such as PVC DWV, ABS, or cast iron, sized for fixture load and slope. DWV-only pipe is not rated for pressurized supply lines.
Gas, Hydronic, and Industrial Fluid Lines
Black steel is a common gas piping material, but each product must be listed for gas service and installed to the adopted fuel gas code and manufacturer instructions. Hydronic heating uses copper, steel, or oxygen-barrier PEX. Industrial fluid systems require pipe rated for the specific fluid, temperature, and pressure.
Key Specifications and Planning Steps
Specifications to Check
Plumbing pipes and tubes are sized by one of two standards: nominal pipe size for schedule pipe, or copper tube size for copper, CPVC CTS, and PEX. Before ordering pipe and tubing, confirm the wall rating (schedule, type, or SDR), the pressure and temperature rating at operating conditions, the length or coil size, and the listing for potable water, DWV, or gas.
Planning a Pipe Run
Work through these steps in order before ordering:
1. Confirm the service type and the plumbing or fuel gas code that applies.
2. Select a material rated for that service.
3. Size the line using flow demand, run length, and pressure loss.
4. Choose a joining method and matching pipe fittings.
5. Gather pipe and tubing supplies, including hangers and struts at code-required spacing.
6. Add pipe insulation and sleeves for freeze protection, condensation control, or heat loss.
Choosing the Right Pipe and Tubing
Matching pipe and tubing solutions to a job starts with the system type: supply, DWV, gas, or hydronic. For a repipe, compare material cost, joining method, tool requirements, and code approval rather than defaulting to one material. For repairs, match the existing pipe or use an approved transition fitting, such as PEX to copper or PEX to CPVC. When replacing corroded galvanized lines, account for water conditions and the connections that remain. Across all pipe and tubing materials, the right choice is the one rated, listed, and approved for that service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy plumbing pipe and tubing in bulk for a contractor job, including PEX, copper, CPVC, and PVC?
This category lists plumbing pipe and tubing in PEX, copper, CPVC, PVC, and steel, grouped by material so a full job list can be built from one place. Available quantities vary by item and location, so check each product listing for stock and lengths before ordering larger volumes.
Is 1/2 inch black iron pipe and 1 inch galvanized pipe available in 20 foot lengths?
Yes. Both are listed in this category: 1/2 in. black iron pipe and 1 in. galvanized pipe in 20 ft lengths. Black iron is common for gas and hydronic work where code permits, and galvanized pipe carries a zinc coating that slows corrosion.
Should I use PEX, copper, or CPVC for a residential water supply repipe?
Each works when it is rated and code-approved for the job. PEX runs in long, flexible pulls with fewer joints. Copper is rigid, joins by soldering or pressing, and handles high water temperatures. CPVC joins with solvent cement and typically costs less than copper. Compare material cost, joining method, tools, and local code approval.
How do CPVC CTS pipe dimensions differ from schedule CPVC pipe, and why does it matter?
CPVC CTS pipe matches copper tube size outside diameters, while Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 CPVC follow nominal pipe size. Because the outside diameters differ, the fittings are not interchangeable. Match each fitting to the size standard printed on the pipe.
Is there a difference between pipe and tubing in plumbing?
Yes. Pipe is usually specified by nominal pipe size and schedule, as with steel and schedule PVC. Tubing is usually specified by outside diameter or copper tube size and wall type, as with copper and PEX. Because the dimension standards differ, pipe and tubing with the same nominal size may not share fittings.
Which pipe materials are approved for residential hot water distribution, and how do I confirm a pipe is rated for it?
CPVC, PEX, and copper are common choices for hot water distribution when their ratings and local code permit. Check the printed markings on the pipe for material, size, pressure and temperature rating, and the standards it meets. PVC pressure pipe is generally limited to cold water.
Which piping materials are approved for a natural gas line, and what requirements apply?
Black steel pipe is a common gas piping material, and corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is also used where approved. Each product must be listed for gas service and installed to the adopted fuel gas code and the manufacturer's instructions. Confirm local requirements with the authority having jurisdiction before installation.
My galvanized pipes are corroding. What should I replace them with?
Common replacements are PEX, copper, and CPVC, selected by water conditions, the connections that will remain, and the scope of the repipe. Where new copper meets remaining galvanized steel, use an approved transition fitting, such as a dielectric union.
How do I connect PEX to existing copper or CPVC lines during a repair?
Use an approved transition fitting rated for both materials, such as a PEX-to-copper adapter or a PEX-to-CPVC adapter. Each side of the joint must use its correct joining method. Transition fittings are found in the pipe fittings category.
What pipe should I use for drain, waste, and vent lines versus water supply?
Water supply lines need pressure-rated pipe, such as PEX, copper, CPVC, or pressure-rated PVC for cold water. DWV lines drain by gravity and use pipes such as PVC DWV, ABS, or cast iron. DWV-only pipe is not rated for pressurized supply.
What do Type K, Type L, and Type M copper tubing mean?
They identify wall thickness. Type K has the thickest wall, Type L is mid-weight, and Type M is the thinnest, while all three share the same outside diameter at a given size. Selection depends on the application, whether the line is buried or exposed, and the code that applies.
At the same nominal size, how do Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC differ, and how do I tell which one a job needs?
Both share the same outside diameter, but Schedule 80 has a thicker wall, a smaller inside diameter, and a higher pressure rating. The choice follows the pipe's printed pressure rating and the system's operating pressure and temperature, not project type alone.
How do I size PEX tubing for fixture branches versus main distribution runs?
PEX sizing depends on flow demand, the developed length of the run, available supply pressure, and pressure loss through the tubing and fittings. Mains carry combined demand and are typically larger than branches to individual fixtures. Use the sizing method in the applicable plumbing code and the manufacturer's data.
Besides the pipe itself, what supplies do I need to install a new plumbing line?
A complete run usually needs fittings matched to the pipe, solvent cement and primer for PVC and CPVC, solder and flux for sweated copper, hangers and supports, and pipe insulation where freezing or condensation is a concern. These pipe installation supplies are listed in their own categories alongside pipe and tubing supplies.
Do PEX straight lengths or PEX coils work better for running new water lines through a house?
Coils suit long, continuous runs through framing with fewer joints. Straight lengths suit short, exposed, or straight runs where a neat layout matters. In both cases, follow the manufacturer's minimum bend radius and support requirements.