Money market accounts are similar to savings accounts, but offer some checking features as well.
Skip the searching and find your next bank in minutes with BankMatch℠. Seamless Alloy Steel Pipe
Home equity is the portion of your home you’ve paid off. You can use it to borrow for other financial goals.
Find an expert who knows the market. Compare trusted real estate agents all in one place.
Home insurance doesn't have to be a hassle. Choose the best home insurance company for you.
Life insurance doesn’t have to be complicated. Find peace of mind and choose the right policy for you.
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll show you your top credit card options.
See what the experts say
Read in-depth credit card reviews to find out which cards have the best perks and more.
Start making moves toward your money goals and compare your debt management options.
Boost your business with rewards, perks and more. Compare cards in one place to find the one for you.
Figure out funding for your next car or refinance with confidence. Check out today’s auto loan rates.
Drive with peace of mind when you compare insurance carriers and find the policy that’s right for you.
We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover.
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you.
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money .
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts, who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.
Our banking reporters and editors focus on the points consumers care about most — the best banks, latest rates, different types of accounts, money-saving tips and more — so you can feel confident as you’re managing your money.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions.
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers.
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU — the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information.
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey.
Bankrate follows a strict editorial policy, so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers.
We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money.
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
We tend to take for granted the plumbing pipes in our homes (until and unless they break, of course). But if you’re building, adding onto or renovating a home — especially an older one — the type of pipe is something you may well have to consider.
Not all pipes are created equally, and they certainly don’t have the same price tag. And that, of course, begs the question: how much do pipes cost? The price of pipes ranges from about $0.40 to $10.00 per linear foot, depending on the type of pipe material. Metal pipes cost more than plastic ones as a general rule.
The cost to replace plumbing will depend on which type of pipe material you choose and the rate for installation in your area. Some pipes are easier to install than others. Bear in mind that installation may require the removal and replacement of any drywall or flooring, too.
Still, the bulk of your costs are likely to come from the pipes themselves. Your primary choices are:
Before we look at the pros and cons of the different types, let’s talk about the costs to install them.
The right pipe for your project should consider the durability and longevity you require, plus the cost of materials and labor. Less flexible and heavier pipes can be more expensive to install because they require expertise and are more complex to work with, but they might last longer.
When you’re budgeting for your overall plumbing pipe cost, be ready to pay $1-2 per linear foot for labor. Installing metal pipes generally costs more than plastic.
What it is: Copper is sort of the gold standard in pipes. Known for its durability, it can last as long as 100 years. Copper pipes are naturally resistant to bacteria and are less likely to break down if exposed to UV rays. As a result, the cost of copper pipe per foot exceeds a lot of other piping options. Many brass pipes, which are not as common, are also composed primarily of copper with slightly less durability.
What it is: Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) piping is one of the oldest types of modern pipes, in use since at least the 1960s. It’s the cousin of PVC piping, made of very similar material but altered with chlorine to make it better able to withstand a wider range of temperatures, especially on the high end. This type of plastic pipe has thick walls that can be used for both cold and hot water lines (PVC only works well for unheated water), and it’s extremely well-priced. Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks in exchange for that low plumbing pipe cost. CPVC can be more likely to leak, especially if not fitted precisely at the time of installation. It also has a shorter lifespan — about 50-70 years.
What it is: Cross-linked polyethylene pipes (PEX) are highly flexible, both literally and figuratively. They can be used with other types of pipes, making them ideal for repairs or complex system replacements. Developed in the 1990s, they are a relatively new type of piping material that is quite durable — theoretically about on a par with copper, though the exact lifespan is yet unknown — and unlikely to leak. In other words, if you’re looking for something with a long lifespan without the high cost of copper pipe per foot, PEX is a solid option.
What it is: Galvanized steel pipes, sometimes called just galvanized pipes, are most likely to be found in homes that are 40 years old or more. Made from steel dipped in a zinc coating, they used to be quite popular — a safer alternative to lead, it was once thought. While their zinc coating survives, the pipes can be quite durable; however, once their coating corrodes over time, the exposed steel is very likely to rust and become unstable. Add the fact that the price of pipes made from galvanized steel is fairly high and it’s no surprise these aren’t commonly used anymore.
Cost: About $8 per linear foot
What it is: Cast iron pipes were the standard until about the 1960s, when steel and PCVC began to take over. Their walls are thicker than that of steel pipes, and they may also sport a protective lining. Unfortunately, while strong, cast iron pipes are not flexible and are susceptible to rust. While these pipes may still be an optimal choice for sewage and drainage, nowadays they are unlikely to be recommended for a residence because they are heavier and more likely to become corroded than the more malleable materials that are now available.
What it is: Pipes made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene — or ABS, for short — are known for their ability to withstand extreme hot or cold temperatures and pressure. Usually colored black, these plastic pipes work best for drainage, sewage and ventilation. They shouldn’t connect to your house’s drinking water supply, because they contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that enhances their durability, but can cause cancer when consumed. ABS pipes are typically installed underground to carry waste away from homes.
Nothing lasts forever, including your home’s plumbing system. Whether you’re ready to replace outdated pipes with money from a home equity loan or you’re shopping your options because your homeowners insurance will pay to repair a burst pipe, you won’t be left wanting for choices. Beyond the price of pipes, you should also consider the use case, labor cost and lifespan.
It’s widely recommended that, because of corrosion issues, homeowners replace galvanized steel and cast iron pipes with either traditional copper (which costs the most, but also comes with a very long lifespan) or one of the newer plastic options (PEX and CPVC). Of those two, CPVC is cheaper and offers lots of bang for the plumbing buck, but PEX is widely praised for offering copper’s durability at close-to-CPVC prices — plus its own characteristic flexibility.
How much does it cost to install or replace plumbing?
How much does a HVAC installation cost?
How much does it cost to install central air?
How much does a tankless water heater cost?
Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range, can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service.
Bankrate, LLC NMLS ID# 1427381 | NMLS Consumer Access BR Tech Services, Inc. NMLS ID #1743443 | NMLS Consumer Access
Stkm 11a © 2024 Bankrate, LLC. A Red Ventures company. All Rights Reserved.