In this article…
- Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: What Are They?
- Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Cost
- Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Durability and Performance
- Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Longevity
- Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Which Is Right For Me?
Whether you’re looking to buy a new home, plan to build, or need your drainage pipes replaced under your foundation, you want to know which material is best for plumbing drainage: cast iron or PVC.
These two materials are the most common types of drain piping on the market because of their performance, durability, and longevity.
But you want to know…How do they compare? Which performs better? Which option is better for you?
Lucky for you, we’ve got answers.
Jim’s Plumbing Now provides expert plumbing services, including leak repair, repiping, and water heater replacements, for all homes in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.
Our team of expert licensed and journeyman plumbers have been in the industry for decades, taking care of your drainage plumbing and educating you on all your options when it comes to replacing any plumbing in your home.
When comparing two or more products, you want an unbiased, professional opinion of their major differences and which option may be better for you than the other.
This article will compare cast iron and PVC plumbing drain pipes in their cost, durability, longevity, and more.
By looking at this thorough and honest comparison, you will understand the top qualities of each drainage pipe material and know which option is better for you.
Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: What Are They?
Before diving into comparing cast iron and PVC drain pipes, you first must understand what the material is and its history in plumbing.
This allows you to better understand how their material factors into the cost, durability, and longevity of the pipes.
What Are Cast Iron Drainpipes?
Cast iron drainpipes have been around for decades. They were popularized for sewage and drainage plumbing because of their heavy-duty material, making them durable to handle water and sewage.
These drainpipes are most common in homes built in the 1970s and ‘80s. While they are still made and used today, PVC drainpipes have surpassed their popularity for modern-day plumbing.
What Are PVC Drainpipes?
PVC drainpipes are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a lightweight, flexible material typically mixed with plasticizers to make them more malleable and smooth.
PVC plumbing has also been around for a while, first introduced in Germany in the 1930s. Once they hit North America, PVC plumbing became the number-one water pipe in both the U.S. and Canada by the mid-1990s.
PVC plumbing is more popularly used today for new residential and commercial builds because of its cost-effectiveness, ease of manufacturing, and efficiency.
Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Cost
Now that you understand what cast iron and PVC drainpipes are and their history, one of the first things you want to know is how much each of them costs.
Having a realistic idea of the cost of any product allows you to avoid feeling blindsided by an estimate and know what product fits your budget best.
Before outlining specific costs, it’s important to know what factors affect the cost of new drainpipes. The cost of any type of plumbing in your home is influenced by
- The material
- Square footage of plumbing
- Degree of difficulty for replacement (labor)
- Additional repairs, like flooring repair, foundation repair, etc.
Knowing how these factors affect the overall cost of your new drainpipes helps you to understand what’s behind the cost of your project.
How Much Do Cast Iron Drainpipes Cost?
The average cost of cast iron drainpipes ranges from about $10-$20 per foot.
This translates to a costly replacement, with the average total cost to repipe anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000, however, it depends on the size and layout of your home.
How Much Do PVC Drainpipes Cost?
The average cost of PVC drainpipes ranges from as low as $0.50 to $5 per foot.
PVC drainpipes are a cost-effective replacement option for modern homes, ranging from about $1,500 to $5,000 for the average home.
How Does The Cost Of Cast Iron And PVC Drainpipes Compare?
PVC drainpipes are a much more cost-effective option than cast iron drainpipes because of the cost to manufacture, transport, and install.
While PVC is less expensive than cast iron piping, it may not automatically be the right decision for your home. If you have existing cast iron plumbing, you may want any repairs or replacements to also use cast iron for consistent performance and longevity.
Before deciding which product is right for you, you also must consider how it performs and how long it will last in your home.
Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Durability and Performance
One of the most important factors to consider when comparing cast iron and PVC drainpipes is their durability and performance.
Because they are made of vastly different materials, they will perform differently. But, they do share similar pros and cons in performance.
How Durable Are Cast Iron Drainpipes?
Cast iron plumbing has been around for so long because of its proven durability and longevity.
This heavy-duty metal makes for strong plumbing able to withstand constant water flowing through without bending or breaking. They are also quieter than other plumbing types, so you won’t hear constant flushing and draining.
While this type of drainage has been around for decades, there are several disadvantages in its performance.
Cast iron drainpipes (mostly when surrounded by clay soil) are susceptible to corrosion. This can create leaks in your plumbing or a pipe burst.
Because cast iron is very heavy, it may also sink into the ground the longer it lasts. This can cause cracking and leaking if bent too far.
Overall, cast iron drainpipes are incredibly durable and long-lasting, although they are not popularly recommended for new installations nowadays.
How Durable Are PVC Drainpipes?
PVC is a much lighter material than cast iron, however, that doesn’t make it any less durable.
One of the biggest advantages of PVC drainpipes is the flexibility of the material. This allows PVC drainage to move with the foundation of the earth without cracking or breaking.
*It is important to note that severe foundation shifting or trauma to your home’s foundation can cause breakage in PVC plumbing.
PVC drainpipes also allow for efficient water flow because of the smoothness of the material which creates low friction between the water and piping. PVC plumbing is also easier to adjust and replace when needed.
While the lightness of PVC plumbing is an advantage for cost-effectiveness, it can also be a disadvantage. The thinner material can be more susceptible to breaking when incurring strong force.
How Do Cast Iron and PVC Drainpipes Compare In Durability?
Cast iron and PVC drainpipes compare fairly equally in durability and performance. Although cast iron is a heavy material and PVC is very lightweight, they are both extremely durable and can withstand lots of wear and tear.
Both drainpipes can be susceptible to potential cracking when under a lot of stress or severe foundation shifting, however, PVC plumbing is much more flexible than cast iron plumbing.
Choosing one over another based on their performance can be difficult. While both are extremely durable and have their pros and cons, PVC is more popular for new homes and repiping.
But, if you have existing cast iron drainage in your home, replacing worn parts with cast iron will still perform the way you need them to.
Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Longevity
The final consideration when comparing cast iron and PVC drainpipes is their longevity. Now, because we’ve gone over the history of both types of plumbing, you probably already have an idea of how long each drainpipe can last.
Let’s outline how long cast iron and PVC drainpipes last and what factors most affect their longevity.
How Long Do Cast Iron Drainpipes Last?
As we’ve touched on previously in this article, cast iron plumbing has been around for decades (and lasts for decades, too).
Cast iron drainpipes can last upwards of 80 years with minor repairs needed. This makes cast iron drainpipes a durable and timeless option for older and newer homes.
How Long Do PVC Drainpipes Last?
Because PVC is a plastic material, it takes years and years to break down under natural circumstances.
PVC plumbing can last at least 100 years under your home, but, similar to cast iron plumbing, they most likely will need repairing the longer they live.
How Do Cast Iron And PVC Drainpipes Compare In Longevity?
When putting cast iron and PVC drainpipes head-to-head on longevity, it’s a tie.
Both types of plumbing have been around for decades because they are efficient and last a long time.
While PVC has become more popular than cast iron for new builds and plumbing replacements, cast iron pipes are still manufactured and around today.
Cast Iron Vs. PVC Drainpipes: Which Is Right For Me?
Now that we’ve compared cast iron versus PVC drainpipes in cost, durability, performance, and longevity, you better understand their key differences and what makes one better than the other.
Both types of drainpipes share many benefits, such as lasting up to and over 100 years and their durability against foundation shifting and weathering. However, PVC plumbing is a much more cost-effective option than cast iron plumbing.
While cast iron drainpipes are long-lasting and durable, PVC plumbing is a much more efficient option for new-build homes or plumbing replacements.
Not only are PVC drainpipes less expensive to manufacture and install than cast iron drainpipes, but they are also more efficient in water drainage and more flexible in geographical areas with lots of foundation shifting.
As a Dallas/Fort Worth plumbing expert, Jim’s Plumbing Now is here to educate you on all your plumbing options and provide you with honest, unbiased information so you can make the best decisions for your home.
If your plumbing needs replacing or you’re building a new home, we recommend choosing PVC plumbing and drainpipes because of their cost, durability, longevity, and efficiency.
PVC drainpipes will ensure proper drainage of your water for decades in the future and are easily repairable in case something goes wrong.
If you’re learning about cast iron and PVC drainpipes, chances are you may have found yourself in need of whole-house repiping. Before moving forward with this large investment, understand what a whole-house repipe consists of fully and if you really need one with our team today.