A good plumber takes care of everything for you, but a good homeowner understands the principles of plumbing, electrics, and other general maintenance.

It doesn’t make you an expert but t will ensure that when you choose a reputable plumber in Sydney you’ll understand what they are talking about. It also helps to make sure that you don’t get taken for a ride if you choose a less reputable plumbing service.

Part of this is understanding how water moves through the pipes, but it’s also very important to understand the different pipe materials available, this allows you to choose the right one for your needs.


This is the traditional choice for plumbing systems. It is reliable and durable but less easy to bend around corners, potentially resulting in a greater number of joins. In many cases, these need to be soldered. 

They do carry hot and cold water and are often essential when connecting to appliances.

Stainless Steel

This is a great metal as it doesn’t suffer from corrosion and can be purchased in both flexible and rigid options. It does require special couplings to join to other pipes and it is more expensive than copper. 

But, it is better in corrosion areas and is a good looking option when your pipes are on show.


This is becoming increasingly popular as it is very easy to maintain and very flexible. In fact, using PEX pipes is probably the fastest way to get your plumbing working.  Because it is so flexible you can have extra-long runs without the need for joins, which makes it great for inside the walls.

However, it can be damaged by UV rays, which means you can’t use it outside.


Although these can be used for cold and hot water applications this type of pipe is usually larger and used in wastewater applications, including sewage.

You will need to verify the thickness of the pipe to ensure it can withstand the pressure of the water inside.

Galvanised Pipe

This is not a commonly used material as the water inside the pipe can cause it to corrode. In the past, it was one of the main pipe materials for delivering cold water to your home.


Brass pipes tend to be expensive and are not commonly used. They are especially resistant to corrosion and do not create any friction loss inside the pipe. The best brass pipes are actually 85% copper.

However, although not a common pipe, it is a very common material for fittings, it can connect to any type of pipe and will last for years, even if kept outside. 

Cast Iron

Cast iron piping is usually used in industrial applications. It usually has a bell and spigot type join although threaded is possible. Cast iron pipes are extremely heavy and, despite being capable of rusting, they will last for a very long time. That’s why it’s commonly used in underground installations. 

If you use it you will need to support it when doing joints, or the joint will not be sound.