Comparison
Pipe materials in Chicago-area homes
What you find in the basement depends on when the building was built and what has been replaced since. This comparison avoids lifespan claims — condition matters more than age.
Calls are answered by a referral service that connects you with a local plumbing provider. How this works
| Material | Where you find it | Possible issues | What an inspection looks at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast iron (drains) | Drain, waste and vent stacks and building sewers in older buildings | Corrosion from the inside, cracking (often at joints), scale narrowing the pipe | Camera inspection; visual check of exposed stacks for rust weeping or stains |
| Galvanized steel (water) | Water supply in many pre-1960 homes; some small drain lines | Internal scale reduces flow; rust-colored water; leaks at threads and where joined to copper | Pressure and flow check; look for rust at joints |
| Lead (water service) | Service lines from the street, common in Chicago | Lead can enter drinking water | City inventory lookup; scratch test at the entry point by a professional |
| Copper (water) | Supply piping in many homes since mid-century; replacement repipes | Leaks at joints; corrosion in some water conditions | Visual check of exposed piping |
| PVC / ABS (drains) | Drains and vents in many newer suburban homes | Joint failures, damage from improper support | Visual and camera inspection |
| PEX (water) | Supply piping in newer homes and repipes where code allows | Fitting failures; damage from UV or rodents | Visual check of fittings |
Many buildings contain several materials. Material alone does not tell you condition.
Whether a given material may be used for new work depends on the plumbing code in force. Chicago has its own plumbing code (Title 14P), and the City is transitioning to its 2026 construction codes; suburbs generally follow the Illinois Plumbing Code with local amendments.
Source: City of Chicago DOB — Modernizing Chicago’s Construction Codes; Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890
What we could not confirm
- Which plastic piping materials the current Chicago Plumbing Code allows for specific uses — ask the provider and check the current code.
Check with the official source before relying on these points.
Sources
- City of Chicago DOB — Modernizing Chicago’s Construction Codes Official / primary
- City of Chicago — Chicago Construction Codes online Official / primary
- Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 890 Official / primary
- City of Chicago Department of Water Management Official / primary
Information can change; official sources control.