Do PVC Pipe and Copper Pipe Last Forever?

Having replaced every type of water line locally ( Copper, Galvanized, Blue Polybutylene, Grey Polybutylene, Polyethylene, PVC), I can come to the conclusion that the best pipes for underground are copper, polyethylene and PVC. My current personal preference is for polyethylene, after seeing 4 copper service lines (within the past 3 weeks) with totally ruined after 23 years buried in the ground. One break we dug up was in good soil, proper depth, correct grade of copper. All conditions were ideal(public water). The pipe literally could be squeezed flat with your fingers. Pinholes perforating a two foot section of pipe (Note: the county service line from meter to the main was the orginal polyethylene). This was not the first time I encountered this but made me think about how so many plumbers tell people copper will last forever. I don't think so, I tell people copper will last 20 or 30 years (buried in the ground). Polyethylene will last 20 or 25 years. PVC pipe for water service line is good for some situations (ex: 2000feet through a field with no trees) I think PVC has too many joints for line replacements. Plastic Male and female adapters do not have the ability to handle soil shift, over-tightening, poorly threaded metal adapters, and long term thermal expansion and contraction. Most of the breaks I see on PVC water service pipe are from broken fittings. The pipe sections generally do not fail and it is my pipe of choice on sewer and drain lines. In summary, no pipe will last forever in Georgia soil conditions. Copper pipe and polyethylene pipe (with brass connectors, not PVC connectors) will provide a good trouble free service life.

Sources of outdoor water leaks coming through foundation walls

There are several reasons why water can be coming through the outside wall of a home. One reason can be poor construction: Ground water diverted toward the house, gutters draining against walls (instead of away from house) or worst case the footer drain is
improperly installed or has no where to drain. The most common plumbing related reason for water coming through foundation walls is due to a broken water or sewer line. Frequently during construction, soil compaction is not ideal near the house due to the risk of collapsing a wall with a heavy excavtor. Also, scrap lumber and organic material can be buried and cause settlement over time. This settlement at the house due to these reasons, put excessive stress on water and sewer pipes and can cause a break or crack. Depending on the seal of the wall, this water may enter the home. Repairing pipes in areas with a risk of settlement, is best done with a flexible tubing or a waterworks coupling that allows some pull out.