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Plumbing - Repiping my home....benefits of thicker pipes? ?

Wondering if i should go with thicker pipes. Main area I'm curious about is the shower. I'm looking to put in one of those multipule jet shower heads and would like to know how pipe size would affect water pressure, etc.

Any info or search suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Copper comes in three wall thicknesses, usually... and the thicker pipe walls are typically used in industrial settings. The outside diameter of the pipes are the same though, so they can use the same fittings. Copper pipe also comes in 'stiff', or 'flexible' types. You can sweat the copper pipe joints, or use compression joints. Compression joints should be checked every year as part of an annual maintenance program, to make sure they have remained tight. Copper pipes are the most expensive install.

Pex tubing is at the other end of the spectrum. It is cheap and fast to install... BUT... it costs more to maintain. Standard Pex style plumbing uses copper bands at the fittings/joints - that tool alone costs $50 to $100. You can avoid using the copper bands by purchasing compression fittings made for the Pex style tubing... Qwest is one such manufacturer. It can be found at most mobile home supply stores, and some hardware, or building supply stores, but it cannot be found everywhere. (I know, I've had to hunt it down more than a few times, heheh) Here is the kicker though.... while it is faster and cheaper to INSTALL the Pex tubing with the copper crimp bands.... the compression fittings cost almost TWICE what a good solid brass fitting will cost !! (Again.. I know... I've had to replace them often enough)

The best of both worlds, in my opinion, is CPVC. It installs fast, the parts don't cost as much as copper, OR the Pex compression fittings. AND you can find CPVC plumbing parts at ANY hardware or building supply store.
As others have already stated... most supply lines to a home are 3/4" diameter, and many homes use 1/2" from there on throughout the home. Using the larger diameter pipe will help provide more volume..up to a point. If you have a very long run, you'll need to reduce the pipe diameter in order to maintain the pressure.

Now... NOTE the difference between 'thick' wall pipe, and larger 'diameter' pipe. I mentioned at the beginning of this post, that copper comes in three thicknesses.... the pipe wall changes size, but NOT the overall diameter... a 3/4" 'K' copper pipe is the same size outside as a 3/4" 'M' copper pipe. Copper pipe comes in anything from 1/4" diameter on up.
CPVC can usually be found in 1/2" and 3/4" diameters anywhere.

Good Luck