Plastic is less expensive, just as good as copper in some cases, better in others and poorer in some.
Green copper pipes do not necessarily need to be replaced. The green color is typically caused by oxidation and does not affect the functionality of the pipes. However, if there are signs of corrosion or leaks, it may be necessary to replace the pipes.
Copper or plastic piping
The two main pipes are plastic and metal. Plastic pipes have polyvinyl chloride and the metal pipes are either copper or stainless steel. Not all pipes have the same effective or be used the same.
Replace them with copper or plastic pipe.
Pipes are made of many different materiels, for different purposes, theres plastic PVC pipes, alluminium, steel, copper, brass, concrete, titanium, iron, ect.
Before copper and plastic pipes became available people used to use lead, iron or steel to make water pipes. Nowadays main water supply pipes for fresh water coming into buildings are made of plastic and pipes within buildings - delivering water to sinks, baths, showers and toilets - are made either of copper or plastic. Within buildings, pipes which take away waste water - which are also called drainage pipes - are usually made of plastic. Outside buildings, modern drainage pipes are mostly made of plastic but older drain pipes may be made of glazed earthenware (which is baked clay) or iron.
For supply, it is copper and galvanized iron. For waste, ABS (plastic) or cast iron.
One reason is because it resists corrosion and another reason is that it can easily be made into pipes for hot and cold water, oil, etc. However, compared to modern plastic materials, copper is much more expensive to use: its ore must first be mined, then the ore has to be smelted and refined into metal pipes, wires, etc. So nowadays, for drainpipes, plastic pipes are used instead of copper.
To keep the population lower (thin the herd) the US government wants carcinogenic materials used in lower income housing as toxins leach into the (Potable) drinking water supply .A funeral is a lot cheaper (according to the US Senate) then having a leaches on welfare for two or three generations
Copper pipes will last the longest. anonymous@oola.com
Copper is used as hot water pipes because the copper will not corrode when the hot water goes through the pipes
You should be very careful. You can actually cause your pipes to leak by doing this. The best bet is to replace that section with some PEX which is plastic and won't corrode.