PVC, CPVC and PEX have been used in residential plumbing applications for decades. It depends on what you want to use it for. PVC pipes are approved by building codes for drain, drain and ventilation (DWV) pipes, but not for the distribution of water within the walls of a house. To learn why, see our blog post Why You Can't Use PVC as a Water Pipe Inside a House.
One of the best moments in human history was the arrival of indoor plumbing. Since the 1840s, interior pipes have conquered the world and many different materials have been used to provide plumbing pipes. In recent years, PVC pipes have gained popularity over copper pipes as the best option for interior pipes. PVC is durable, inexpensive and easy to install, consolidating its place as one of the best options for plumbing.
PVC tubing is moderately easy to install and requires little more than a hacksaw and a miter box to cut it. Among the many connection options, the best is the solder-type connection. The solder connection requires experience along with safety protocols. PVC pipes are the best for drainage, but they pose environmental problems.
Although cast iron and galvanized pipes are rarely installed in newly built homes, you may have these pipes if you have an old house that was built in the early 20th century. Cast iron pipes are still used today for parts of water distribution systems. Regardless of whether you're hiring a plumber or undertaking a DIY home plumbing project, the experience can be confusing because of all the material options for pipes. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) tubing is made of a thermoplastic resin and looks a lot like PVC tubing, except it's black and slightly softer.
Understanding your plumbing system and, in particular, the types of pipes in your home can help your water flow smoothly and safely, when and where you need it. The best grade of brass tubing is obtained when the alloy contains 85 percent copper and is called red brass tubing. Rigid copper tubing is typically used for water supply lines, while flexible copper tubing is used in tight spaces where malleable copper can bend. Copper tubes are probably the most traditional plumbing pipes used because of their long life and reliability.
Cast iron pipes are heavier than any other pipe and are normally used for water distribution systems or underground installations, such as the main pipe in drainage or sewer systems.
The most common plumbing pipes
you'll find inside a home are PVC, PEX, ABS, copper, or galvanized steel pipes. Brass plumbing tubes are easier to thread than steel tubes and are excellent for hot water systems and large distribution systems, such as pump accessories, water tanks, and wells. When choosing the right pipe for your plumbing job, the most important factors to consider are both the function the pipe should perform and the layout of the space in which you are working.Brass plumbing tubes provide great resistance to oxidation if they are made of 67 to 85 percent copper. Both pipes are prone to rust and corrode over time and have been replaced with copper or plastic pipes in residential plumbing repairs. Plumbing pipes such as PEX, copper and PVC are typically used depending on their application and the location where they are installed. According to the Environmental Working Group, copper pipes with lead-free bonding materials are the best choice for water pipes.
Save yourself the hassle of expensive repairs and the initial cost of metal piping by using PVC tubing. .
