Developer · Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 21 posts · 2 votes
I'm currently in the process of a flip in Chicago, IL and I've had an inspector tell me my plumbing was incorrect and needed to be revisited. After bringing a more reputable plumber in he mentioned that all my rigid copper piping had red lettering (type M - lighter duty) and Chicago required blue lettering (type L - medium grade) throughout. This is likely to carry some significant costs (ripping all the copper out, buying new + labor. Has anyone heard this before? I haven't seen this in other states, so I assume it's a Chicago thing.
Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 68 posts · 48 votes
8y
It is absolutely a Chicago thing. We do not follow national building codes -- Chicago has their own set of building codes. The plumbing union in Chicago is strong, and the plumbing inspectors are tough. All copper, (no pvc, no pex), and they are particular about the copper used as you have discovered. We had a plumbing inspection a few weeks back and the inspector told us they are doing a pilot test program for pvc but do not have high hopes for adoption in the city. The suburbs are a whole other story but in the city limits - only copper. If your plumber and/or your GC is licensed in the City of Chicago they should know that, its a well known fact.
Just for the record we own a sewer and water company and we are a licensed GC in the city of Chicago. My suggestion would be to find a new plumber (and a GC) in the city. It is an entity unto itself and you really do need someone familiar with the quirks! Sorry you had to find out the hard way and good luck.
Contractor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2017 · 68 posts · 48 votes
8y
It is absolutely a Chicago thing. We do not follow national building codes -- Chicago has their own set of building codes. The plumbing union in Chicago is strong, and the plumbing inspectors are tough. All copper, (no pvc, no pex), and they are particular about the copper used as you have discovered. We had a plumbing inspection a few weeks back and the inspector told us they are doing a pilot test program for pvc but do not have high hopes for adoption in the city. The suburbs are a whole other story but in the city limits - only copper. If your plumber and/or your GC is licensed in the City of Chicago they should know that, its a well known fact.
Just for the record we own a sewer and water company and we are a licensed GC in the city of Chicago. My suggestion would be to find a new plumber (and a GC) in the city. It is an entity unto itself and you really do need someone familiar with the quirks! Sorry you had to find out the hard way and good luck.
I'm currently in the process of a flip in Chicago, IL and I've had an inspector tell me my plumbing was incorrect and needed to be revisited. After bringing a more reputable plumber in he mentioned that all my rigid copper piping had red lettering (type M - lighter duty) and Chicago required blue lettering (type L - medium grade) throughout. This is likely to carry some significant costs (ripping all the copper out, buying new + labor. Has anyone heard this before? I haven't seen this in other states, so I assume it's a Chicago thing.
@Benjamin Cohen - I know this post was from a while back, but was reaching out to see if you ever got a resolution on this issue. We are going through the exact same thing and are getting mixed responses from the GCs and contractors that we are talking with. Any help to get a definitive answer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Developer · Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 21 posts · 2 votes
3y
Hey Jeff, we wound up removing the Type M and replacing with Type L. We hit the plumber with a backcharge for this work which we pulled from their retention. Covered most of it and we were able to put the issue to bed.
Living in Colorado now where Pex is allowed, complete game changer! Let me know how it turns out with you
Hey Jeff, we wound up removing the Type M and replacing with Type L. We hit the plumber with a backcharge for this work which we pulled from their retention. Covered most of it and we were able to put the issue to bed.
Living in Colorado now where Pex is allowed, complete game changer! Let me know how it turns out with you
You will be much happier with L grade seamless copper pipe. Everyone who I have heard complain about leaking copper pipe had M grade pipe. It's too light, and fails after about 25 - 35 years. L grade is good for over 75 years in my book.
PEX is too new for me to consider. It dumps forever chemicals into the water, rats chew on them, and I find it difficult to believe that PEX will last more than 25 years.